Free advice for A-Rod
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- February
- 17
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By the time you finish reading this sentence, Alex Rodriguez may have hired another paid advisor to help him handle today’s press conference. Here is my advice — and it’s free:
1. Admit everything you did in an opening statement. Get ahead of the upcoming book and marginalize it. You know better than Selena Roberts or anybody else what you actually did or didn’t do. Beat her to the punch. List the drugs, list the dates and apologize for it. What else can they do to you then? Do not use the word “culture.” You did the steroids, not the culture.
2. Thank the team for coming and apologize for being such a distraction … again.
3. Make some kind of grand gesture to get the public on your side. Say you will donate those bonus payments for the home run plateaus to charity. Or announce that every kid at every Boys and Girl Club in America can go to a game free on you if they sign a pledge not to do drugs. Whatever it is, make some sort of financial gesture.
4. Don’t sit up there for an hour, but answer a reasonable amount of questions. I find many of the questions people think he “needs” to answer to be inconsequential. But he does have to be accountable to some degree.
5. At the end say, “Out of respect for my teammates and our upcoming season, this is the last time I will talk about this subject. Only baseball from here on out.” Then stick to that.
6. Try and act like a normal person for the rest of the year. Stay off the gossip pages. Fire all those advisors and listen to your conscience. Treat people the way you’d like to be treated. Say what is on your mind, not what you think you should say.
Oh, and drive in 135 runs or so. That would really help.
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on Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 at 9:00 am by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
This was something I mentioned in the comments last night when I was chatting with some of the regulars. They agreed with it, so I figured I would post.
Has anyone proposed a drinking game?
Take 1 drink each time:
-A reporter says “substance,” “PED,” “steroid,” “test,” or “Selena Roberts”
-A reporter asks about ARod’s knowledge of other PED users
-ARod declines to answer a question
-ARod says “sorry” or “mistake”
-ARod says a word or phrase that no one has used in the last 25 years, e.g., “loosey-goosey”
-ARod makes a funny face
Take 2 drinks each time:
-A reporter says “HGH,” “Pettitte,” or “Giambi”
-Girardi or another Yankee player visibly winces after ARod says something
-You reflexively slap your own forehead after ARod says something
-A reporter asks a question not related to PEDs or Selena Roberts
-ARod embraces Girardi
Finish your drink if:
-ARod admits to using PEDs before 2001 or after 2003
-ARod pledges to donate any of his salary to charity
-ARod says he is quitting baseball and entering a monastery
-ARod challenges Selena Roberts to a duel
-Girardi stops the interview
-ARod embraces Jeter
Any other suggestions?
Fabulous! But let ‘em ask away for as long as they want..hours if need be..only rule..only name A-Rod is going to say is ‘Alex Rodriguez’…
then when they are done…they are ..done.
Good roadmap Pete.
Think of today as road trip with a 6am flight to get from a Mariner game to a game in KC. You know it’s going to be a long day, it’s not gonna be a fun journey but tomorrow you get to see baseball again.
Pete, these are great suggestions.
Number one is the big concern, of course. Let’s just hope ARod can come clean without dropping any more bombshells.
It is great advice, Pete. Maybe someone with influence will see it here and hand it to him. We can dream, can’t we?
Actually, I am interested to hear how he deals with the upcoming book. Do you know if he’s briefed the Yankees about what “revelations” to expect? I’d like to hope that they’re not going to be ambushed yet again.
Jeremy -
You forgot the word, “naive.”
I hope Hank says something about baseball finding the source who leaked his name because that was illegal. The source who leaked 1 prominent Yankee name, and no other player from their rivals.
Those are some fantastic suggestions, Pete. I hope Alex reads this before lunch…
Is there baseball happening today or is everyone just siting around looking at their watches?
ESPN said Jeter is taking his physical right now and has already said he would not be speaking until tomorrow.
ARod Press Conference Drinking Game Rules Continued (thanks Pete, Doreen, and Chien-Ming Vase):
Take 1 drink each time:
-ARod says “honest,” “truth,” “naive,” or “culture”
-A reporter says “home run,” “legacy,” or “record”
“6. Try and act like a normal person for the rest of the year.”
This is clearly impossible. He had the same advice in 2008, and now he’s studying Kaballah at the feet of Madonna. God knows what’s next, but it certainly won’t be “normal”.
word up on the donating that incentive money. Would be nice if that chase actually meant something.
Alex normal? Not too sure if that’s possible. I think he needs people to tell him the difference between right and wrong. Ask him to follow his conscience and he could be dating Gary Coleman in a month. or Barbara Bush.
Next stop for him is the Neverland Ranch.
#1 and #6 ain’t ever happening. Lets be fair about #6. He is what he is. He’s always been image conscious. Moreso than he should be. Asking him to ACT otherwise probably hurts more than it helps. One thing is true, Alex being Alex has not hurt him on the field.
#5 will happen
The “again” in #2 is a bit unfair. He’s never been this kind of distration before. He hasn’t even been the distraction Pettitte was in last year’s spring training.
Ever hopeful on #3.
Hate to interrupt the ‘all A-Rod all the time’ posts, but on another thread there was discussion of what Teixera’s shirt might be. It looks like it might possibly be a guayabera, an embroidered cotton tropical dress shirt, loose and with a squared-off tail, worn outside the pants, originating in Mexico and traditionally worn for ‘nice’ in weather that is too hot and humid for jackets and ties to be bearable. The high-end ones are quite nice, hand-embroidered and rather expensive. Just a suggestion, hard to tell in the photo. Anyhow they are or used to be (haven’t been there in years) worn by lots of well-off men in south Texas.
come on pete, Alex will always be on the back pages.
I hope Hank says something about baseball finding the source who leaked his name because that was illegal.
LOL @ the idea of hank talking on behalf of baseball!
Where did the Michael Jackson comparisons come from? The strangest thing ARod ever did, to our knowledge, was get lessons on Jewish mysticism from Madonna when he was going through his divorce. On the scale of strange things rich celebrities do, that doesn’t get anywhere near Jackson.
ARod will stop dating models and seeing hot groupies just as soon as every other wealthy professional athlete does too.
the problem with number 5 is the book release in mid april
As long as he drive 150 runs and lead this team for the WS, I’ll forget the aroid nickname forever.
“Next stop for him is the Neverland Ranch”
——-
On the bright side he has not abused kids, animals or shot his limo driver or even himself.
Not condoning the cheating with steroids or spit balls, or greenies, or corked bats, betting on baseball, thrown world series games or anything else.
At the end of the day this will be a continued media circus for people trying to get ahead and create job security doing so.
Hopefully after today we can just move on and play ball, but I doubt it.
Now lupica wants to write that alex needs to be at the press conference by himself without the support of his teammates. The media’s hatred for alex is becoming so obvious.
Amen Pete!
The best way to deal with Roberts book is the same way he dealt with Canseco’s 2nd book- “No comment”.
Just because someone says something about you doesn’t mean you have to discuss it or even comment on it.
Excellent advice Pete.
If he did those things today, 90% of the people at the PC will still crucify him. Most are there today not to get a story, but to exact their journalistic pound of flesh.
He created the problem so that’s the way it goes. He’s just going to have to deal with it.
From my end, he only has two masters to serve today and for the rest of the season. His team and his teammates.
If that means he has to be baseball’s version of a human pinata all year to take the heat off his team, so be it.
Whatever he has to do to make sure he isn’t a year long distraction, he has to do.
As far as “answers”, not matter what he says today, someone will be unhappy with the “answers”. That’s just the way it is.
After reading his statement, there should be no more than 20 minutes worth of questions, with no follow up questions. This way, more people can ask questions.
If Presidential news conferences rarely have more than 20 minutes worth of questions during wartime, I don’t think this PC needs to set any time records.,
If you allow follow up questions (a mistake, IMO), Joel Sherman will dominate the entire PC. As we all know, Joel, like some others who will be there today, believes this circus is ALL about them.
When he walks off the stage, that’s it. No other talk for the rest of his career about this issue.
I don’t want to hear about a book deal, an exclusive magazine story, nothing. Just shut up, play, and help the team win.
Awesome suggestions but believe he will do only 2 and maybe 5. Love #3 because that becomes the whole story. He can do what McGwire neglected to do.
Will Alex take his physical before or after the presser. I wonder if the doctors will find a new one.
Ham Fighters,
Are you around? Gotta say you made a great point last night. How Alex or, or anyone on his behalf, can complain about media attention or overexposure is ridiculous.
KISS is the rule, Alex. Keep it simple, Sam.
no follow up questions? you are joking right?
it didnt work last week.
“Just because someone says something about you doesn’t mean you have to discuss it or even comment on it.”
Agreed. One’s responsibility to respond to an unauthorized bio sits at right around zero IMO. Unless he is slandered in the book, I’d expect little in the way of comment from him and his camp.
Bottom line no matter how Alex handles the press conference what he says some members of the media won’t believe him. It is just a fact. Also I am so sick and tired of reading A-roid. What are we 10 years old? They are even doing it on 104.3 during their “news” breaks. How can you expect a fair article when they resort to childish name calling?
As far as the teammate support….
My info (and Pete please correct me if you have differing info) is that the player turnout for this is not staged or scripted by the Yankees.
Guys actually went to Cash and told him they want to be there to support the guy.
Now I realize everybody is a cynic these days. However, it does say something that even the new guys, CC, AJ and Tex, put themselves out there on this.
The easy move is to say, “I’m new here, I’ll just stay on the sidelines on this one”. Yet, they didn’t.
That’s a stand up move on the part of those guys, and the rest of the guys, will be there today.
That’s who Alex “owes”. He has to be a better teammate this year. Period.
That, more than any apology, has to be his priority.
Great suggestions but I need to say that the Yankees need Alex to keep being the only distraction in the clubhouse. Let the others play ball then the back page press will be sniffing around for A-Rod. He wants the attention, let him have it.
I actually like most of your suggestions. But the idea that once he does this that people will back off is dellusional.
re: teammate support.
I believe it’s genuine. But it’s not all about Alex. They know it’s a show of solidarity.
I’ve heard Girardi repeatedly use the “we are family” theme. The 24 will show their support, it’s up to Alex to make it 25, not 24+1. IMO, Alex needs to become part of the team. And I don’t think it’s Jeter’s fault that he isn’t.
My info (and Pete please correct me if you have differing info) is that the player turnout for this is not staged or scripted by the Yankees.
Guys actually went to Cash and told him they want to be there to support the guy.
========================================
That is great to hear.
Pete:
Your post with this list was better because you didn’t result to taking a shot at Alex like you did here. But, very good advice nonetheless. If he would follow this advice, I think it would be a very good thing. Again, some people won’t like it no matter he says and will bash him.
“Now I realize everybody is a cynic these days. However, it does say something that even the new guys, CC, AJ and Tex, put themselves out there on this.”
Put themesleves out there??? It’s not like they’re cliff diving. They assume no risk from being there. Pete mentioned yesterday that several Yankees have assumed the Jamie Moyer view of things, only off the record. I think they’re doing this for the good of the team, which I applaud, rather than true support of Arod. If asked off the record, I’m certain they’d all answer there are a zillion places they’d rather be at 1:30 PM.
I do think this could end up bringing the team together. Especially if Alex helps facilitate that by being a better teammate this year. Getting that whole ‘us against the world’ mentality is oftentimes a good thing in sports.
i think its still there for him to resurrect this disaster. just be honest and dont cover up anything. you dont have to give any names, just whatever facts people want to know.
under no circumstances do you lie.! This cannot be emphasized enough! when you lie in telling of your lies, you reduce yourself even lower than whatever got you into the tight spot you’re trying to get out of.
dont even suggest that anybody else had anything to do with it. dont talk about what other guys were doing, it doesnt matter unless they held you down and shot you up.
if he does these things, he will win a ton of support from the middle ground (people like me who dont hate him and want to root for him) and will finally start to put this behind him.
if he lies, he deserves all the scrutiny and investigations that will surely follow.
ARod will probably be bland. He will be neither evasive nor entirely forthcoming. He will neither enrage his audience nor bring it to tears. He will not share with us anything we don’t already know.
As usual, the popular perception of today’s events will take shape depending on how well the team does this year.
If the Yankees win the East and make it to the World Series, we will see stories hailing this press conference as the day the team came together and showed it was bigger than any one player.
If the Yankees fail to make the playoffs again, we will see stories saying this conference demonstrated a rift in the team that could never be healed.
not to be too cynical but dont you think some of the yankees just want a front row seat to the circus?
*I do think this could end up bringing the team together. Especially if Alex helps facilitate that by being a better teammate this year.*
only if he comes clean.
if he doesnt come completely clean, and he hangs these guys who are coming out of the dugout to support him out to dry, it can also tear the whole thing apart, too.
“My info (and Pete please correct me if you have differing info) is that the player turnout for this is not staged or scripted by the Yankees. ”
I’m sure the players are doing it more for the team and less for Alex himself. Alex should take a page out of their book and be a better teammate.
rodg,
Saw your question the other day, but you weren’t around.
dennis (sox fan) asked me about the reunion last night, too.
I told him I dreamt of a Shaq trade for just a little bit, before I woke up out of my reverie. Things will be so much easier if Bynum comes back this year.
I think it really is as simple as “United we stand, divided we fall.” The Yankees have to be a cohesive group in this situation – it is the only way to get through it because it will be a distraction all year. They have to be: on the same page, on point and singularly focused on playing baseball all year long. If even one teammate allows a dissenting point of view (on or off the record – because there is no off the record in NY), it will not be a pretty season.
Chien Ming Vase,
I think, to a man, they’d all rather be having a root canal.
“not to be too cynical but dont you think some of the yankees just want a front row seat to the circus?”
Not as much as they’d want to be teeing off at a nearby golf course.
I don’t know on the new guys, but I don’t see Jeter and Posada as fans of the circus.
Anyone else having the jitters of an expectant parent today and resenting it because the kid isn’t even yours? Okay, he is our kid, and he is a kid.
Pete, with all of your pull, why not slip your advice list to Alex’s handlers? We might be sitting here thinking that they have given him the best advice, but I haven’t seen much more sage than the list you’ve put up there.
Why is it that I feel somewhere between tears and anxiety right now? I mean I don’t like having a stomach virus, but I’m not a baby about those things! I’ve been teary all morning.
Isn’t it weird being a fan and feeling that the weight of whatever happens is right on your shoulders?
Chien-Ming Vase February 17th, 2009 at 9:51 am
not to be too cynical but dont you think some of the yankees just want a front row seat to the circus?
===============================================
Honestly, no. I think they would all rather have a prostate exam than deal with this circus
Does anyone know if the press conference is streaming live on the internet anywhere? I assume WFAN will have audio, but I want to see it.
Actually Steve- if you look on Jorge’s website he was the grand master of ceremonies at the big apple circus.
i think it’ll be considered a success if arod makes it through the press conference without shooting himself in the foot like he did with gammons when he went off on a tangent with selena roberts and the stalking stuff.
he’s got too many kooks in the kitchen advising him so there’s no telling what he’s going to do.
i think less is more here. if he says anything that is at odds with what the feds know about him he will be setting himself up fro a perjury trap when they question him later and they will.
That’s my whole point. They are thinking about the “team”.
Compare it to last year. Where was Moose, Arod, Giambi, and some of the other guys when Andy spoke? No where to be found. Their option of course. However, it projected (at least to me) two locker rooms. Those with rings and those without them. Not exactly something you want to see and think you have team unity.
This time, guys are thinking about the team and are putting the team first. That’s a positive.
Its why its incumbent upon Alex to be a better teammate this year. Frankly, what he has done the past couple of years can no longer be tolerated.
His off field stuff is no longer cute, funny, geeky or anything else you want to attach to it anymore. Its a distraction. Once you become a distraction, the off field stuff becomes draining to the team. That has to end after today. That’s the thing they need to have zero tolerance on with him this year.
If these guys are going to stand up for him, then he OWES them.
After today, shut up, have a big season, and don’t be the story for the wrong reasons. If you are going to be “the story”, have it be for your season and not for the other nonsense.
SJ44
February 17th, 2009 at 9:39 am
As far as the teammate support….
My info (and Pete please correct me if you have differing info) is that the player turnout for this is not staged or scripted by the Yankees.
Guys actually went to Cash and told him they want to be there to support the guy.
——
I think that when Alex is done with his opening statements the entire team should get up and physically stand behind him when the questions start.
trisha,
You sure YOU’RE not pregnant? Upset stomach and tears are a sure sign.
I’ve been an expectant parent many times, and I’ve had that nesting feeling. Now yesterday I did nest, but it was because I was tearing the house apart looking for one important document.
I’d liken this a parent whose teenage child is waiting to see the principal (using my imagination!).
“His off field stuff is no longer cute, funny, geeky or anything else you want to attach to it anymore.”
I don’t know SJ, I still think it’s pretty funny. Don’t tell me you didn’t laugh when you saw the picture of A-rod at the Madonna concert wearing his absurd sweater vest and cravat-thing.
Trish, If you are genuinely between tears and anxiety right now I would strongly suggest taking a vacation!
It is funny though how Alex induces a sort of anxious feeling.
I used to relate watching his pressurized at bats to watching your kids in the school play.
its funny, everybody must think the yankees arent human. on here, almost every yankees fans is trying to work out how and where they can watch, but everyone supposes that the players dont want to see it.
i think thats naive. im sure jeter and po are sick of it, but ill bet others want to see it for exactly the same reasons we all want to see it. its like a slow-motion car wreck. even if you know the results could be horrific gore, you are drawn to watching it.
why would you presuppose that the yankees, especially the new ones, dont want to check it out just like everybody else?
Chien-Ming Vase, I just want you to know that your screenname is my favorite of all!
Dang I have the jitters. I imagine that if I were at work I wouldn’t be able to concentrate.
On topic but to one side of the issue, if anyone is interested in the “leak to the press” aspect. I was in touch with one of the reporters from the Providence Journal this morning (we are connected through some mutual volunteer work) and let him know what I thought about the reporter who leaked the information to the press. His response back to me was “what about the person who leaked it to her?” So I wrote back and told him of course I thought that was totally wrong and wondered about his take on reporters who leak information – basically the same thing I asked Pete. I wanted to know if he would risk his reputation by giving up sources, or in the alternative risk going to jail for contempt, by providing information that was court protected. I haven’t heard back from him yet but will let you know his response when I do.
As I pointed out to dave last night, I remember ABC news getting in trouble for broadcasting a certain story and later hearing NBC say they had the same information but chose not to run with it. I can’t remember any more of the specifics.
Sorry if this is boring. Of course it is rivetting to me because of the entire legal aspect. I am also thinking there is no universal response to this question, i.e., not all reporters would put themselves in potential harms way by running with a story where there is court-protected information – but I could be wrong.
GO YANKEES!
Good advice Pete. It is what I was saying to Doreen two blogs ago this morning.
Maybe ARod should just rattle off the other 103 names on the list. Just kidding. I agree with PA’s advice. Get it over with and put this behind you as best as you can, ARod. But it won’t be as quickly forgotten as Pettitte’s confession last year because this is ARod, and steroids (not HGH), and because ARod is pursuing the homerun record.
wow. Talk about the nail on the head.
now if only his advisors would let him read this…
Chien-Ming Vase -
My guess would be because they’re part of it, whether they like it or not. And they have to live with it. I can shut off my television or decide not to read the stories and go on with my daily routine. These guys – ARod is a part of their daily routine. They can’t escape it. So, I could understand if they didn’t want to watch it.
But because they are a part of it, it is a good thing that there is a show of solidarity from the team and that some teammates will show a physical solidarity that will be visible to the media, the fans, and their opponents.
“its like a slow-motion car wreck. even if you know the results could be horrific gore, you are drawn to watching it. ”
The only problem is, the Yankees are in the car that is being wrecked. I doubt they want to watch because they have to deal with the media fallout every time Alex does something stupid. I know what you mean about watching a car wreck but I don’t think its nearly as fun if you are IN the wreck.
Jeter and the rest are there because either the Yankees asked them to be or because they are trying to help the team become stronger.
My fear is he doesn’t come totally clean today and lies by omission and then more evidence showing he lied comes out during the season. He was very wishy-washy on details in the Gammons interview and it seems like he was revealing some vague stuff but by no means was he telling it all. I fear that only the surface has been scratched and he will evade and hide as long as he can on the rest. It will drag out and be a constant story that wont go away.
So what are the odds that A-rod actually reveals more than he has? Will he finally say what steroids he took, when he found out about the positive test, etc?
The show of solidarity is sweet and sentimental, but it is not going to change what Alex has to do today and how he has to do it.
Chien-Ming Vase,
Why would the players not really want to be there? Because, they don’t really like him. Because this media circus is getting old. Because they’d rather be golfing or playing baseball. Because this story is so yesterday.
Lotsa, lotsa reasons. But basically, nothing Alex does surprises them anymore. No novelty or “trainwreck” factor to pique their interest.
The guys on FAN are talking about the donation of the incentive money.
Chien-Ming Vase February 17th, 2009 at 10:05 am
its funny, everybody must think the yankees arent human. on here, almost every yankees fans is trying to work out how and where they can watch, but everyone supposes that the players dont want to see it.
i think thats naive. im sure jeter and po are sick of it, but ill bet others want to see it for exactly the same reasons we all want to see it. its like a slow-motion car wreck. even if you know the results could be horrific gore, you are drawn to watching it.
why would you presuppose that the yankees, especially the new ones, dont want to check it out just like everybody else?
======================================
You can come to your own assumptions and I can come to my own assumptions, but in all honesty none of us know exactly what each person showing up to this circus is feeling and thinking.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that today isn’t about Alex Rodriguez and his steroid use. Today is about the media and their quest to get a pound of flesh out of Alex Rodriguez. Reading the papers today, you get a sense that whatever Alex says today does not matter.
im very down with team solidarity and i do think this can help the team bond, which is an underappreciated nessesity with so many new guys taking up key roles.
but i think you’ll find that almost all of the players who dont go to the presser will be watching and listening to it if they have the chance. its human nature.
How cool would it be if when the questions start from the reporters Jeter walks up and stands behind Arod. Then one by one they all do the same thing looking out at the media as to say go ahead and attack one of us.
In my opinon there needs to be many more than just Jeter,CC,AJ,Tex,Mo,Andy and Posada at the press conference. Anyone who feels like they have a shot at the 25 man roster should be there and I guess thats all of the 40 man roster.
able21 -
I have no problem with Alex speaking from the heart – as long as he’s reading it from a piece of paper!
(I just went back to your two-threads-ago post.)
Patrick,
I did! lol. Thing is though, all of it becomes draining after the PED stuff.
I’ve talked to guys on the team in recent days. They all will support Alex. But, they are really getting tired of this stuff.
Simply put, he has to grow up.
What’s interesting about the team this year is, there is a real sense from the guys they have, “turned the corner” in a lot of ways.
Guys are really excited about the pitching staff. They also really like the new guys personally. To a man, they all feel like these guys fit in nicely with the current group. That’s not always the case when new guys come to NY.
There is more than just the usual spring training optimism. There is that, “Hey, we could have something special going on” here feeling among the guys.
That’s why Alex can’t screw that up. From a player perspective, the diva stuff bothers them more than the steroid stuff.
It may not be what fans and the media want to hear but, that’s how most guys feel.
They also feel like there has to be an ending to this stuff with him. Everybody knows today will be a circus. There just can’t be a tomorrow, day after that, drip, drip, etc of info with Alex.
Stem the tide today and then make it all about baseball.
If he continues on this “its all about me” kick, (whether its intentional or not is irrelevent) guys will turn on him bigtime this year.
I bet the only thing that will happen is #5. It would go a long way with his teammates if he did #2, but I don’t really see that happening. He’s not capable of #6, being advised strongly against #1, #3 is unlikely, and as for #4– the more he talks and says nothing the more Selena Roberts will salivate, the more unease we’ll see in his teammates’ eyes, and the more the media will not allow #5 to happen.
So Pete, what tough, insightful, cutting questions will YOU ask?
Does anyone know if the keys to the new place are being turned over today? I thought 2/17 was going to be the day.
just out of curiosity why didn’t the yankees do this early in the morning to get it over with so they could have the rest of the day to be productive.
is everything on hold until the arod press conference is over with? what’s going on with morning workouts?
seriously i think alot of people have miscalculated just how bad the gammons interview was. his lie telling is the reason this is a humongous event. had he thrown it all out there to gammons, this would be a follow-up, which is one step closer to page 23.
what he did last week with gammons is the reason they are holding pages of space in tomorrows papers for this event. because not only will he be called on the steroid usage, but moreso he will be drilled on his lies of last week.
the cycle of lying and the press demanding answers needs to be wound down. you release the pressure at both ends of the coil by telling the truth, as nasty as it may be.
i said this before the gammons interview last week and i still feel that its true. if he really comes clean, he will win the majority over.
if he continues to lie, he will be ripped apart and this will just be another in a series of media blowups related to arods actions.
They usually have physicals in the morning for the position players who report today. I don’t see how they could do have done it in the morning.
You guys are no fun.
I want drama, intrigue, comedy and scandal. What’s with all this boring, monotone politically correct stuff?
He should apologize to his teammates and fans. That’s it.
Then he should stir the pot, kind of like Pete does.
He should then say how disappointed he is in Bud Selig for the lack of leadership throughout this 10-15year scandal.
Then attack the media. Call them blood sucking leeches or something. Maybe provide some security photos of Selena snooping around.
Remind fans, he alone is responsible for his lack of judgement. It will not happen again. All he wants to do is play baseball.
But as far as the media is concerned, (Stand up) flip them the bird, and walk away.
Now that would be a good PC.
“just out of curiosity why didn’t the yankees do this early in the morning to get it over with so they could have the rest of the day to be productive”.
Hank probably had to be at the track to see George’s horses working out. LOL
He should definitely dontate his incentives to charity or an anti drug program. As far as pleasing the media … it’ll never happen, they’re pretty blood hungry and impossible to satisfy. I always like to read the headlines of these stories printed after a conference like this, they are venomous and often statements taking out of context so that it catches a reader’s eye. I feel like it’s a bad game of telephone, journalism is supposed to be unbiased and truthful, these days all I see is a story twisted to suite that writer’s personal views and opinions. Half the time I read an article in the paper it is extreme and obnoxious.
I’m going to expect very little contrition form Arod, and hopefully be pleasantly surprised if he even does a quarter of what Pete suggests.
Something people need to remember….he needs to earn the incentive money before he can give it to anyone.
all i care about is the last one.
everything else is for you media types, the only folks who really seem to care about this.
“You sure YOU’RE not pregnant? Upset stomach and tears are a sure sign.”
“Trish, If you are genuinely between tears and anxiety right now I would strongly suggest taking a vacation!”
As an aside, I am a panda lover and have wanted to go to the Woolong Reserve in China (you can go as a volunteer and get to work with the pandas) but also being a classic claustrophobic, the thought of 5000 hours on an airplane just doesn’t work for me. I wish I could own a panda! Instead I get to watch Alex the chimp continue to monkey around..
Some bright light is now trying to prosecute Michael Phelps for the bong hit, so I doubt A-Rod would or should be specific about what substances he took. In the grand scheme of things I doubt it really matters exactly which substance he took. Same result, especially to the press.
One more piece of advice… do not mention anyone by name in relation to the steroid era. Just use the phrase, ” I am here to answer for MY actions and MY decisions.”
As for questions I would ask…
1. Did you take substances orally, through injections or both?
2. What was the date of your first experience with PEDs and what was the last date?
3. Will you submit to blood testing for HGH and other substances at your expense and make the results public?
4. Would you support stronger testing provisions and stiffer penalties for those who use PEDs in the future?
Skeptical:
Only the media cares? That would explain the record-setting traffic on this blog since his admission. I don’t think only the media cares.
Pete, since your post obviously demonstrates an appreciation for the value of a good PR professional in a situation like this, I don’t understand your snarky intro taking a shot at ARod for hiring “paid” PR advisors. I know you think that you, Selena Roberts, and 99% of the media are reasonable, fair-minded professionals just interested in getting out the “truth,” but not everyone has the experience, grace, or natural eloquence necessary to sail through the kind of media feeding frenzy that ARod is facing. I for one think it’s completely appropriate and wise for him to get as much PR help as he can.
The one part of your advice I sort of disagree with is the suggestion that he has to make some kind of financial gesture. To me, that just seems like trying to buy public favor, and it implies that there’s something illegitimate about the fact he is so wealthy. If he wants to do something along those lines, I don’t think he should do it today. What he owes people today is the truth (or something like it). He doesn’t owe anyone money. Don’t mix messages. Today’s message is: I took steroids, I’m sorry, I stopped doing them several years ago; I’m on a great team here, let’s win a WS.
What I find interesting here is the notion that Alex has not already come clean. So therefore, how is it possible that anyone can be the actual determinor of whether or not Alex has come clean? What does that mean? Do we have any actual mediums here, media or posters? That stuff makes me laugh. It is as posters have already suggested – it really isn’t going to matter what Alex says today. Minds are already made up, and people will run from where they already are right now. I am not expecting to hear new and different things from what he has already said.
By the way, I agree that we probably aren’t going to “see” much contrition from Alex, not because I don’t believe that there is contrition within, but because I don’t think Alex knows how to do anything but be who he is – a socially awkward being who typically ends up annoying people because he is best at putting his foot in his mouth and saying the wrong thing.
good post Peter.
One thing though you assumed he is choosing not to listen to his conscience. I may offer that he may simply not have that voice or innate guide that so many of us are fortunate to have because we practice it. He has done so much and deceived so many he may honestly not have one to listen to any longer.
“everything else is for you media types, the only folks who really seem to care about this.”
this shows a total lack of understanding of the way media works. the media is giving the people what they want. they are doing whatever they can to attract eyeballs and this is the biggest draw in town.
read the comments above. when is it on? what network is covering it? who will be there? these arent journalists clamoring to know, this is the public.
viewership and demand for this presser will be through the roof. helocopters will surely circle in the air and the station that broadcasts the scene from the air will see viewership rise as soon as they do.
nobody cares but the media? you are kidding yourself.
Maybe he was using the PEDs as far back as in High School. If that is the case, do you think he would have the courage to reveal all this? And suppose Selena Roberts has proof of these earlier (or later uses of PEDs) then he has to admit it. He is in a frying pan, surrounded by a fire.
there is a long stretch between coming clean and spouting obvious lies throught an interview. anybody who thinks arod really came clean in the gammons interview is hopelessly adicted to the blue kool-ade.
86,
Some interesting questions. I think, though, that Alex doesn’t owe anything more than what he’s offered. I think people are underestimating how huge it was for Alex to say he did PED’s for 3 years. That’s quite a revelation. Any other details should be reserved for sworn testimony.
In fact, the more Alex says, the more he can trip himself up.
I also don’t think that he has to submit himself to any special testing beyond what the others do. What makes Alex so special? He’s not Lance Armstrong who initiated such a testing program (which has now shut down) for athletes who wanted to prove they were clean.
Here’s a thought, maybe instead of trying to jack out home runs all the time, he actually does some of the little things to help his team win?
I still believe in solidarity and “team”…It will be great if the teammates stand for him at the press conference.
As for Alex,i wish him luck and a fab. year so the YANKEES can become “the team to beat again”.
Pete,one question for you:is he going to Cooperstown?
Great post by our host. I 100% agree.
Pete, I completely agree. The only thing is, I don’t think Alex needs to open up his personal life to the media. As far as the other stuff in the book, I do think it would be a good idea to take the power away from Selena Roberts by just admitting everything (though I HOPE that 2001-2003 is all there is).
SJ44, from the prior thread – yep, I agree. It only matters what his teammates and the organization think. I like Alex a lot, but he did wrong….to himself and the Yankees. He really owes it to them to lay it out there to the extent that he can and to then be all that he can be out on the field. He doesn’t owe jack to the bloodhounds in the press
Pete, I completely agree. The only thing is, I don’t think Alex needs to open up his personal life to the media. As far as the other stuff in the book, I do think it would be a good idea to take the power away from Selena Roberts by just admitting everything (though I HOPE that 2001-2003 is all there is).
SJ44, from the prior thread – yep, I agree. It only matters what his teammates and the organization think. I like Alex a lot, but he did wrong….to himself and the Yankees. He really owes it to them to lay it out there to the extent that he can and to then be all that he can be out on the field. He doesn’t owe jack to the bloodhounds in the press
Don – Alex used PED’s in High School? They called that Clearasil back then, right?
“3. Will you submit to blood testing for HGH and other substances at your expense and make the results public?
4. Would you support stronger testing provisions and stiffer penalties for those who use PEDs in the future?”
Tough questions. Can’t underestimate the MLBPA here. Arod went out of his way not to throw them under the bus in the Gammons interview even though they screwed him hard on this. MLBPA has never been for any level of testing and having one of their high profile members speaking in favor of stronger testing and harsher penalties seems unlikely.
don
pesonally i think there is a blanket pardon out there to be had for arod, even if he admits that he shot up just before roberts arrives on the um campus. he just needs to convince people that hes being honest now and will do everything he can to be clean for the rest of his career.
i think there is alot more forgiveness in the public and yes, even in the media, if people dont think you’re blowing more smoke up thier skirts.
I think today is a great opportunity for a team unifying experience if its played the right way. I think its a little too much to expect the whole team to stand up right behind him one-by-one after his opening statement like we’re watching Varsity Blues or Rudy. It would be nice, but I don’t see it happening on a professional sports team.
I think its 100% on A-rod to make this a team bonding experience. He gets absolutely crucified in the media, and he should realize that no matter what he does from here on out, they’re gonna take away everything that he does and has done. He should say something like this: “The only thing that the world won’t be able to take away from me is championship rings, and that going to be my sole focus from here on out.” He should thank his teammates, refuse to address the topic after today, and everything else Pete said.
In exchange from the support he’s getting from his teammates and organization, he should make it clear that he is playing for them, and not for himself. He shouldn’t say all those things like “I have a chance to do some special things numbers-wise over the next 9 years” or “I think I still have a chance to make it to the Hall of Fame.” Just talk about championships and playing for the team, that will set a nice tone, especially with the team watching him.
One of the things I hope he does, is start dating women who aren’t old enough to be his mother.
“Some bright light is now trying to prosecute Michael Phelps for the bong hit, so I doubt A-Rod would or should be specific about what substances he took. In the grand scheme of things I doubt it really matters exactly which substance he took. Same result, especially to the press.”
David, as an aside, unless there is some other official still considering prosecution, SC has already said they are not going to move on Phelps.
Here is one that remains on the periphery for me but for some reason I cannot bring myself to launch into full mode because I find it so ridiculous. I continue to hear Selig say something about punishment. What doesn’t he understand about the agreement that the 2003 testing was done without any kind of punishment attached but was to try to give MLB an idea on the extent of the problem – and that the information was supposed to be totally protected? This one continues to really confuse me. This has to be total grandstanding since he is without any kind of ability to punish Arod!
You forget #7. Thank Pete for giving free advice, it’s something people are always asking money for, especially from Alex. Oh and one more thing – help the team, be a team first guy, and win the world series. Now that would really help. (added by Mobile using Mippin)
“I also don’t think that he has to submit himself to any special testing beyond what the others do. What makes Alex so special?”
His place in the game, or potential place in the game, makes him somewhat special. He’s chasing the same record that made Bonds special. Still agree he should get nowhere near testing that all other union members aren’t subject to, but we can’t deny that he’s at least a little special.
Secret thoughts of Yankees and others.
Girardi- Why didn’t this happen when Torre was managing?
Jeter- Another chapter in “The Arod Saga.”
Petitte- He will never come across as genuine as I did in
my press conference.
CC, AJ & Tex- NY, NY it’s a media town.
Posada- What a jerk.
Torre- So much for my book sales.
Selena Roberts- My book= $$$$$$$$$
trisha – Want the truth? Read Canseco’s book. February 17th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Anyone else having the jitters of an expectant parent today and resenting it because the kid isn’t even yours? Okay, he is our kid, and he is a kid.
Pete, with all of your pull, why not slip your advice list to Alex’s handlers? We might be sitting here thinking that they have given him the best advice, but I haven’t seen much more sage than the list you’ve put up there.
Why is it that I feel somewhere between tears and anxiety right now? I mean I don’t like having a stomach virus, but I’m not a baby about those things! I’ve been teary all morning.
Isn’t it weird being a fan and feeling that the weight of whatever happens is right on your shoulders?
———————————————————-
*THIS* is the single most pathetic thing my eyes have ever had the misfortune of dragging across. Trisha, do you have any shame? I can’t even pick a most humiliating sentence. “Our kid”? He’s not mine, that’s for damn sure. Is anyone else rolling their eyes and retching at this?
“he just needs to convince people that hes being honest now and will do everything he can to be clean for the rest of his career.”
“i think there is alot more forgiveness in the public and yes, even in the media, if people dont think you’re blowing more smoke up thier skirts.”
And the final arbiter of whether or not people believe Arod is who?
See there are already those of us who don’t really care whether Arod admitting that he knew what he was using – the fact that he came out and said he used from 2001 to 2003 was enough. I don’t really care about the bits of smoke in there that are part of who Arod is and will remain.
Then there are people who are so thrown by the peripheral stuff that they need more.
Then there are people who are so convinced that there is more than the 2001-2003 years that they don’t believe the substantive stuff he put out there.
Circus circus.
To paraphrase a quote about faith: To those who believe Arod, no further explanation is necessary. To those who don’t believe Arod, no further explanation is sufficient.
I’m sure with this there is some middle ground, but I don’t believe there is much.
Pete–
Totally agree with you on all points except point 6 (Stay out of the gossip pages). You know how the tabloids work he could be going out to dinner with someone/anyone and they will snap a picture of him. This is a guy who has things like TMZ follow him down the street when he goes shopping.Not quite sure how he controls that sort of thing without staying inside all the time.
Even Derek Jeter ends up in page six and the gossip sites without doing anything. I think this is one of the things you cant control all that much if you are a famous person.
People seem excessively concerned about whether ARod will be caught in a lie. What difference does it make? He’s not running for president. His job as a baseball player is to get hits, not to be truthful or “put everything out there.” If he’s like most people, he’s truthful about most things but dishonest about other things. Why not leave it at that? Why does he have to prove to everybody that he’s the world’s most virtuous guy?
“THIS is the single most pathetic thing my eyes have ever had the misfortune of dragging across. Trisha, do you have any shame? I can’t even pick a most humiliating sentence. “Our kid”? He’s not mine, that’s for damn sure. Is anyone else rolling their eyes and retching at this?”
YAWN! Your credibility here is shot to hell since you’ve already dragged out the “this is the single most pathetic thing…” before. And oh yeah, it had to do with something else I posted!
You are a riot!
Steve B,
Alex WAS special. He’s no better than anyone else now. In fact, he’s been knocked down a couple of notches.
And even if he’s been clean since 2004, it doesn’t mean much to most people. Of course that’s better than if he’s juicing now. But he doesn’t deserve a medal of honor for being clean since 2004.
so when you say this:
“See there are already those of us who don’t really care whether Arod admitting that he knew what he was using – the fact that he came out and said he used from 2001 to 2003 was enough. I don’t really care about the bits of smoke in there that are part of who Arod is and will remain.”
…you put youself in this camp:
“To those who believe Arod, no further explanation is necessary”
By the way I agree with Pete’s advice with one major exception. He should not specify any particular substance on any particular date… that could drag him into some criminal case and really serves no purpose.
86,
I realize it’s neither here nor there, but I don’t think there is such a thing as a blood test for HGH.
As for the testing-at-his-own-expense angle, I’m against it. ARod should not have to pay for his own tests. No player should. That’s MLB’s responsibility.
Besides, do you really think ARod gains credibility if he pays for his own tests? Wouldn’t that suggest the tests are biased or that he has control over them?
The best thing for baseball to do is treat every player the same. From the $27 million player to $500,000 players to minor leaguers. Subject everyone to random testing and make sure the tests are as comprehensive and accurate as possible. Fans must be able to have faith that the system is effective.
“seriously i think alot of people have miscalculated just how bad the gammons interview was. his lie telling is the reason this is a humongous event”
Chien-Ming Vase-
that statement sounds more like it’s from a crack pot to me than a vase.
he misspoke about selena roberts breaking in to his kid’s bedroom. he was referring to her possibly illegally coming into his gated community. she herself had to talk with police to know the legality. ( as it is why live in a gated community if people you don’t want to see aren’t stopped at the gate)
he didn’t lie. he mispoke. of course ,you did the same when you said he lied. so did you misspeak or did you lie ?
i’d say you mispoke, but if you want to call yourself a liar that’s fine with me.
“Is anyone else rolling their eyes and retching at this?”
And LALA-land, what is more appropriate than for a wretch to be retching? GO FOR IT!
Calm down, people.
A-Rod is going to get killed in the media anyway, no matter if he sticks to the script or goes off the reservation. And, by following the A-Rod saga like he’s some celebrity on TMZ, not the 3B for the New York Yankees, you’re just perpetuating the story.
What matters is the games played by the Yankees as a team, and those count starting in early April.
It’s time to put this dog & pony show behind all of us and just watch what looks like a really, really good team play some baseball.
randy, your ‘misspoke’ is clemens’s ‘misremembered’
“…you put youself in this camp:
“To those who believe Arod, no further explanation is necessary””
Sure, and here’s the reason. Forgiveness is really a big part of who I am, as much as hard-heartedness is when someone totally stonewalls the truth (see Bonds and Clemens).
It is as BD pointed out so well. If he’s like most people, he is truthful about most things and dishonest about others. I don’t need him to prove he is the world’s most virtuous person.
BD
I agree. I had a post earlier where I was kidding about what he should do at the PC. But, I am not kidding about the premise. Enough of this good guy stuff. He should fight back. I would have more respect for him if he does. NY hates phonies. This is his chance let the real Arod to come out.
“It’s time to put this dog & pony show behind all of us and just watch what looks like a really, really good team play some baseball.”
Hola, I honestly think you are going to find this to be the case with the majority of us once the dog and pony show is over today and we’ve had a chance to stew about whatever questions we didn’t like (or whatever answers we wish had been different!)
trisha, then gullibility is also part of who you are.
“trisha, then gullibility is also part of who you are.”
CM, admittedly I could be the posterchild.
“Fire all those advisors and listen to your conscience.”
A terrible piece of advice.
Do not feed the beast, Trisha.
Do not stew over questions or answers. If enough of us demand the press covers the team, eventually they’ll pick up on it and focus more on the team.
The Yankees did get a few new players this offseason, some of which you may have heard of before…
ten thousand posters with 12 thousand opinions, but what we really all want is the same:
The 2009 Championship!
Lets Go Yankees!!!!!
Hola, I was actually good to go after the Gammons interview. I am speaking more of the generic “we”. I might lash out at a few media types but I am definitely over this already.
And yeah, I have already staked claim to AJ Burnett as my personal player savior this season. I have guaranteed that he will deliver us a season that might even get him nominated for a Cy. To me (and I know mel and fran because I’ve heard them say so) what is dandier than getting a player who so badly wanted to be here?
chien mieng “crack pot”-
do you hear any credible people using the word “liar”?
if someone is hurting my small business, i can say they are stealing food from my kid’s mouth.
only an idiot would take that literal.
do you really think that arod really thought selena roberts was trying to get her butt though one of his kid’s bedroom windows ?
it was a street metaphor for what she was doing .
so how is that a lie?
I’m a big fan of the charitable part. He already has so much money already. Time to give back to your fans for tainting yourself.
So now A-Rod is supposed to unveil his entire private life because Selena Roberts is writing a smear job, ahem, I mean book about him as a 17 year-old.
Pete why don’t you tell us about the first time you smoked a joint, because, you know, that way nobody will ever ask you about it again.
Who do you think you are to tell someone to reveal their entire private life and any mistake you’ve made to appease a gutless “journalist” and some book that may or may not be factual.
7. Go for the gold. Announce that you want more pressure on you and the Yanks and that will be chasing Bonds’ single season home run record because your want to be the complete face of the steroid era.
8. Sign the subpoena that you were just served off stage in front of the media and tell everyone that you’ll miss the WBC attending court hearings.
“do you really think that arod really thought selena roberts was trying to get her butt though one of his kid’s bedroom windows ?”
Don’t think he’s smart enough to understand hyperbole or metaphor. Misspoke?? To me that’s using “infer” when you should use “imply” of “effect” instead of “affect”. He didn’t misspeak. He said straight out the woman tried to get in his house through illegal means. Yankees did the smart thing by calling him on it and having him apologize for it.
Yes there is a blood test for HGH which is why the MLBPA is fighting blood testing. Of course the Libertarian in me is opposed to randon mandatory drug testing in all areas except public safety.
He can hire a lab in the open and submit to testing and it would be credible if he got the results the same time everyone else does. I wouldn’t do it, but if he’s looking for rehabilitation it might help.
I smoked my first joint in eight grade at a band competition. Tell Ms. Roberts that Alex talked me into it… or better yet a Duke Lacrosse player provided it!
Well said, Pete. If he reads your what you wrote, Pete, it will be the best advice he gets. If he doesn’t read what you wrote, hopefully someone in his entourage is telling him this.
“I smoked my first joint in eight grade at a band competition. Tell Ms. Roberts that Alex talked me into it… or better yet a Duke Lacrosse player provided it!”
lulz. Winner!!1
I am sick of all these holier than thou writers, asking for an apology from A-rod.
I want an apology from you.
If sports reporters had done their job 15 years ago, we might not be in this mess.
To all sports writers reading this blog you are just as much to blame for the steroid era as the Union, MLB, the players and Bud Selig.
Right on, Pete. Basically, follow Andy Pettitte’s advice as far as the media goes and relax enough on the field to let your talent speak for you.
Pete,
As a sometimes critic of your covering of Arod (although not to the level of some others…dave), I must say this is one of the better posts you have written. Couldnt agree more with your suggestions.
Pete — you forgot to add having Gaylord Perry sitting next to him as his special guest and saying to everyone, “Yes, I did steroids, I am sorry for cheating … but didnt Gaylord Perry spend his entire career cheating by throwing a spit ball? Go ask him some quesions now about how he has smeared the sanctity of the game”.
I mean, if Arod is going to be made out to be some sacrificial lamb at this point, why not have baseball air all of its dirty laundry … cheating has been going since nearly the first day the game was organized.
Isnt there a double standard going on here?
Rosa
A few more secret thoughts.
Cashman- I told you not to sign him.
Other names on the list- Better Arod than me.
Arod- I am “THE DIVA.” Haaa
Cano & Melky- He is still our hero. Got any training tips?
Secret thoughts of Yankees and others.
Girardi- Why didn’t this happen when Torre was managing?
Jeter- Another chapter in “The Arod Saga.”
Petitte- He will never come across as genuine as I did in
my press conference.
CC, AJ & Tex- NY, NY it’s a media town.
Posada- What a jerk.
Torre- So much for my book sales.
Selena Roberts- My book= $$$$$$$$$
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Giambi — I’m glad I never had to do all that. I just grew a big mustachio and everyone loved me again — especially Pete A., the founder of the “Big G” public relations firm.
hey Jeremy, I love the fact that I’m not the only one here who thinks of drinking games to play at 1 in the afternoon on a tuesday. cheers!