A Tale of Two Different Stars - Big Papi & A-Rod

Watching Josh Hamilton in the first round of last nights Homerun Derby ranks right up there in the emotional headline department along with what Jon Lester accomplished earlier in the year. His story is amazing and it helped, for sometime at least, shield an obvious glare that was on the Derby last night, there was no Yankees in it. And not just any Yankee's, but the Yankee who's supposed to eventually go down as the greatest homerun hitter of all time, Mr. Alex Rodriguez. It's no secret now that A-Rod's one of the most despised players by both the fans and players, and he continually seems to make it easier and easier to dislike him.

Jason Stark (who hates the Yankees more then most Sox fans) wrote a good article over at ESPN.com on this topic yesterday and it really got me thinking about the whole A-Rod Derby scenario. Basically A-Rod was recently re-signed by the Yankees for three reasons I believe:

1. Even though I do loathe him, he is the best player in baseball statistically today, and maybe ever. (I think I may have just thrown up in my mouth)
2. The Yankees wanted him to be in pinstripes when/if he breaks the all-time homerun record.
3. Like him or not, he's a polarizing figure who in the end sells tickets, and that's something you need when opening a new stadium.

The fact that A-Rod denied being in the HR Derby not once but twice is pretty bushleague and cowardly if you ask me. I think the NY Faithful deserved to see the "best HR hitter of all-time" send Yankee Stadium out in style. Ya' know, close out the House that Ruth Built and open the House that A-Rod Built. This now brings me to Big Papi.

According to Stark's article Ortiz was slated to be in the contest and he would have embraced it, and probably won. That has to be blasphemy to Yankee fans, and the fact that A-Rod wouldn't step up for the better of the game to entertain the fans just shows the difference between him and Big Papi. Yeah A-Rod is phenomenally more talented as a baseball player, but as a man he's the biggest d-bag this side of Barry Bonds.

Last night, with Oritz still on the DL he was in his uniform and cheered on his fellow compatriarts. A-Rod? How many shots of him did you see? How often did you see him fratenizing, cheering people on, being there for the fans? That's all I'm saying... Ortiz may have been booed last night in the Bronx, but the Yankee fans should be saving their lustful boos for A-Fraud.

The fact that he was insanely close to being a Boston Red Sox is terrifying. I would hate to have to fool myself for a decade plus that I wanted to cheer for that guy, it's like being a bi-polar fan. Yeah Manny can be infuriating at times, but he still works hard, and he is his own unique personality for sure. Can you imagine A-Rod high fiving a fan? No way. A-Rod cares about money and A-Rod, it's all he's ever shown, and his lack of heart is more then noticable. Maybe he'll win it all some day, but I for one sure hope not, he doesn't deserve it.

Comments

[Eric]

first off.. you are right on the money with the how special it was to watch him launch rocket after rocket into the upper deck and back to the last row of the bleachers. the coverage actually did a great job of capturing josh while he soaked in his moment.

second, you couldnt be more right about a-rod. even my girlfriend said "i think it's bullshit hes not even there." and it is... it sucks.

ive typically defended a-rod but i dont know how you defend this. i realize hes going through a divorce but dont players always say "the field is my safe place" or some variation of that?

[Matt]

please signup for the Fenway West second half contest to win two etched pint glasses. Good Luck.

enter at:

www.fenwaywest.com

[Derek Hixon]

@ Eric: Yeah I was almost hesitant to write that he wasn't there because I distinctly remember seeing a bunch of players and not him. Pretty sad that the "host" wasn't at what should've been his party.

He just continually makes me upset. With his talent he could promote the game so much, but his actions continuously bring negative upon himself...too bad really.

[Melissa]

I am a huge A-Rod hater and I will admit.
BIG difference between him and Papi= Papi is actually a good guy, he plays the game fair and he plays it honest. The only reason Yankee fans boo him at Yankee stadium, is because they only WISH Papi wore pinstripes.

[Eric]

whats so odd about a-rod is that he's so image-aware but then he goes and makes shitty decisions. he tries to come off as this like.. real intellectual, patient, thoughtful guy who takes it all in stride and wants to be this like.. transcendent figure. but then he goes and bangs a hooker in toronto and blows off the homerun derby in the last year of the park that he is trying to make "his."

maybe he's just a moron and that type of shit doesnt dawn on him? maybe he figures all the charity works is what people pay attention to.

i dunno...

[Kathy]

Is that A-Rod's "O" face? *vomits*