Dislike for ARod reaches Bonds porporitions
* Dislike for Alex Rodriguez has reached Barry Bonds-like stratsophere ….
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By Devon Teeple
Barry Bonds is the ultimate villain in baseball and the significance of his accomplishments never garnered the respect it deserved; seven MVP awards, 73 home runs, breaking Hank Aaron’s record, just to name a few.
The steroids issue continually followed him around, and he also had the reputation of playing for himself and never really being that team guy. Ask Jeff Kent about that one.
On the other hand, Alex Rodriguez might be the most hated baseball man on the planet, surpassing Roger Clemens and Bonds.
Steroid controversy has followed Rodriguez but not to the same extent. He was interviewed on nation television and admitted that for three years, while a member of the Texas Rangers, was using PEDs. What I gathered from the reaction of many from the interview was that he looked like an Oompa Loompa. Enter A-Roid to the fray.
Again, Bonds was hated for his contempt of the media and lack of compassion. Multiple failures in the post-season didn’t help his reputation, yet, there was this bitter-sweet taste left in everyone’s mouth year-after-year when Bonds began to destroy record after record, rewriting the record books. Breaking hallowed records with names like Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron attached to it, rubbed people the wrong way.
A-Rod just seemed to get caught in awkward situation after awkward situation, never apologizes or takes responsibility.
Remember his extra-curricular activities with the stripper in Toronto? A-Roid becomes Stray-Rod.
Of course there were his base-running blunders knocking the ball out of Boston Red Sox’s Bronson Arroyo’s hand and his controversial shout at Blue Jays infielder Howie Clark.
We, and the rest of the world, are also aware of the struggles he has faced in the post-season. This year especially when injuries are taking their toll, we are seeing perhaps, the final days of Rodriguez in a Yankee uniform. Rumours are flying that a trade to the Miami Marlins are imminent, though heavily disputed by Yankees GM Brian Cashman. You can’t blame the rumour mill. He is batting .130 over 23 at-bats and is seeing the bench now more than ever. The A-Fraud nickname is in full effect.
Is the hate and ridicule really necessary? Yes and no.
As the highest paid player in baseball, one who still has a guaranteed $114 million on the table, any razzing received is more than acceptable when you are making that sort of cash.
Could you imagine the average person dealing with this on a daily basis?
A-Rod is going to work everyday. He is doing his job just like the rest of us. He is involved in a hot-bed constantly and getting abused at every turn. Even if you hate the guy, he should deserve some credit for putting up with it.
The question as to whether A-Rod is hated more than Bonds is completely accurate. Bonds could back up his detractors. You hate him but he hits a home run and smiles at you. You lay down the gauntlet for A-Rod, and he whiffs on three pitches and you smile at him.
His career’s at a cross-road and will only get worse. Unfortunately, people seem to be OK with that as bad as that may sound.
