A-Rod: What a ***** - Page 2

Jason · 12-16-2005, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctorg

A-Rod is an evil baby-killing Nazi, as evidenced by this decision.

Nicely played!

Bluenoser · 12-16-2005, 01:24 PM

Considering your hatred of A-Rod I would think you'd be happy he isn't playing so you don't have to watch him.

jnshmoo · 12-16-2005, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faroo6

I don't really think this applies. I think its a little extreme to apply the word dishonor to picking a country to represent in a fun exhibition that is supposed to showcase the world's best baseball players. Now arguably one of the best is not going to be there. Because he couldn't pick a country. That's just weak. This would at least give A-Rod a chance to knock in a run after the regular season.

This just proves that A-Rod isn't one of the world's best baseball players and doesn't deserve his salary! : outrage:

DiMaggio5CF · 12-16-2005, 01:48 PM

IT'S AN EXHIBITION.

How many people here are going to get pissed when Pedro Martinez goes two innings and throws nothing but a mediocre fastball?

Nobody is going to be playing all-out during this thing, and the only thing that can happen as a result of playing all-out is a guy getting hurt and then fans and owners crying that the WBC ruined their season.

Priority A1 here is to pump more money into Major League Baseball, both now and in the long-term. There is no second priority, and everything else is a distant, distant third.

It makes perfect sense, and it's a great move, from a business standpoint.

But from a sports aspect, it's a sham.

Criticizing Alex Rodriguez, or anyone else, for declining to participate is a joke.

Erik W. · 12-16-2005, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiMaggio5CF

IT'S AN EXHIBITION.

A poorly conceived one, at that. See: Team Italian-Americans.

Modern Relic · 12-16-2005, 02:34 PM

Well, I, for one, am outraged. Oh wait, wrong thread.

DiMaggio5CF · 12-16-2005, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azamien

A poorly conceived one, at that. See: Team Italian-Americans.

That's another thing I don't get. There should be no choice allowed.

It should be done either by the country in which you were born or the country in which you currently play. But either way, there should be one set system, and that's it. If you want to play and you're good enough to play, you play for your country. If you're not good enough to make your country's team, then you don't play.

Melo · 12-16-2005, 02:45 PM

If you live around NYC, you start getting used to his level of PC. Oddly, he was just on WFAN yesterday saying that he was going to play for DR and was discussing his training regimen. When I read this in the AM, I was quite shocked. One of his marketing people must have gotten in his ear. He is ultra-image conscious and I don't think he realizes that if he just let himself be human, he'd probably be loved. Instead he leaves you with the feeling of being a well spoken, cold fish.

Dagrims · 12-16-2005, 02:52 PM

If he chose to play for the US, someone would raise a stink. If he chose to play for DR, someone would raise a stink. If he withdraws, well you know what happened. How many people were angered by NBA superstars declining to play for Team USA in the Olympics? The Olympics are much more serious than this baseball exhibition, and I wasn't bothered over their decision then.

Should we really be getting upset over someone who chooses to relax during his vacation rather than work extra hours?

Besides, after the way his mom stuck up for him, he'd better choose to spend time with her and the rest of his family over baseball.

Long answer: I agree with andjbock.

gmo · 12-16-2005, 03:07 PM

To possibly open another avenue for the venting of hate, I believe I recall hearing that the Yankees did not really want their players involved in this event. Could the team have pressured him to back out leaving him to make up his own excuse for not playing?

I understand teams not wanting their players being involved - I would bet all teams would easily prefer this event not occur. There is friction in the high-level soccer leagues about players going off to play internationally, but I would think MLB could do a better job of keeping everybody on the same page.

DiMaggio5CF · 12-16-2005, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmo

Could the team have pressured him to back out leaving him to make up his own excuse for not playing?

I'm sure of it.

But you really can't expect an owner to be excited about a multi-million dollar investment risking injury playing for another team with no assurances.

EDIT: Hell, I'm a fan and I don't want my team's players risking injury in the WBC. Imagine having a financial stake in it.

KILLERBS24 · 12-16-2005, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sublimity

Or, he decided he didn't want to upset some people who would say either "I can't believe you aren't playing for the 'Merikans! Look at all this country gave you!" or "How come you aren't playing for your native country?" He doesn't do well handling criticism; he wants to be liked by everybody.

If you are born and raised in this country you are American, period. We all have heritage from other cultures. He is not a dominican citizen so to say that he didn't want to let the DR down is ridiculous. Vlad and Tejada are Dominicans, you aren't Alex. And yes the american players of italian heritage playing for Italy is equally ridiculous.

TonyJ · 12-16-2005, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andymac

Someone needs to start a 24-hour news station to follow a-rod around all the time, so people can get pissed off about the way he orders a latte & stuff.

^ Gets it

DiMaggio5CF · 12-16-2005, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KILLERBS24

If you are born and raised in this country you are American, period. We all have heritage from other cultures. He is not a dominican citizen so to say that he didn't want to let the DR down is ridiculous. Vlad and Tejada are Dominicans, you aren't Alex. And yes the american players of italian heritage playing for Italy is equally ridiculous.

If we're going by heritage, then there is no American team.

Dagrims · 12-16-2005, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiMaggio5CF

If we're going by heritage, then there is no American team.

Jim Thorpe still available?

Long_Long_Name · 12-16-2005, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiMaggio5CF

If we're going by heritage, then there is no American team.

If we go by heritage, there are no set values. I consider myself of Canadian heritage - not French. But, even if you want to claim that I am of French heritage because 500 years ago my ancestors lived in France, well, why not say that I am of Middle Eastern heritage because my ancestors lived there 10,000 years ago?

TonyJ · 12-16-2005, 05:11 PM

That would mean every team was the African team! That could be fun!

Long_Long_Name · 12-16-2005, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyJ

That would mean every team was the African team! That could be fun!

We should play underwater, while we're at it.

mlyons · 12-16-2005, 05:30 PM

I'm trying to figure out what ***** means.

andymac · 12-16-2005, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlyons

I'm trying to figure out what ***** means.

It means that he is a 5-star player...I thought that was already obvious, though, considering he just won an MVP.

I guess some people are late to the party.

12-16-2005, 02:34 PM	#26
Modern Relic All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,266	Well, I, for one, am outraged. Oh wait, wrong thread. __________________ American Folklore Baseball League (closed): Commissioner/GM - Mudville Nine (ruled!) Former member of Boys of Summer: GM - St. Louis Browns (doormats!) Former member of the OTBL: GM - Gashouse Gorillas (also ruled!) "People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." Rogers Hornsby

12-16-2005, 02:52 PM	#29
Dagrims Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,827	If he chose to play for the US, someone would raise a stink. If he chose to play for DR, someone would raise a stink. If he withdraws, well you know what happened. How many people were angered by NBA superstars declining to play for Team USA in the Olympics? The Olympics are much more serious than this baseball exhibition, and I wasn't bothered over their decision then. Should we really be getting upset over someone who chooses to relax during his vacation rather than work extra hours? Besides, after the way his mom stuck up for him, he'd better choose to spend time with her and the rest of his family over baseball. Long answer: I agree with andjbock. __________________ "Read books, get brain."

12-16-2005, 05:11 PM	#37
TonyJ Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Gassin' Kurds Posts: 2,019	That would mean every team was the African team! That could be fun! __________________ My Podcasts: Talk Democratic Dysfunction Name Two Bands with Andy and Andy

12-16-2005, 05:30 PM	#39
mlyons Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 3,725	I'm trying to figure out what ***** means. __________________ Things can always be worse.

12-16-2005, 01:24 PM	#22
Bluenoser Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In The Moment Posts: 14,540	Considering your hatred of A-Rod I would think you'd be happy he isn't playing so you don't have to watch him.

12-16-2005, 01:48 PM	#24
DiMaggio5CF All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 921	IT'S AN EXHIBITION. How many people here are going to get pissed when Pedro Martinez goes two innings and throws nothing but a mediocre fastball? Nobody is going to be playing all-out during this thing, and the only thing that can happen as a result of playing all-out is a guy getting hurt and then fans and owners crying that the WBC ruined their season. Priority A1 here is to pump more money into Major League Baseball, both now and in the long-term. There is no second priority, and everything else is a distant, distant third. It makes perfect sense, and it's a great move, from a business standpoint. But from a sports aspect, it's a sham. Criticizing Alex Rodriguez, or anyone else, for declining to participate is a joke.

12-16-2005, 02:45 PM	#28
Melo All Star Starter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Where the baned reside Posts: 1,428	If you live around NYC, you start getting used to his level of PC. Oddly, he was just on WFAN yesterday saying that he was going to play for DR and was discussing his training regimen. When I read this in the AM, I was quite shocked. One of his marketing people must have gotten in his ear. He is ultra-image conscious and I don't think he realizes that if he just let himself be human, he'd probably be loved. Instead he leaves you with the feeling of being a well spoken, cold fish.

12-16-2005, 03:07 PM	#30
gmo Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 3,467	To possibly open another avenue for the venting of hate, I believe I recall hearing that the Yankees did not really want their players involved in this event. Could the team have pressured him to back out leaving him to make up his own excuse for not playing? I understand teams not wanting their players being involved - I would bet all teams would easily prefer this event not occur. There is friction in the high-level soccer leagues about players going off to play internationally, but I would think MLB could do a better job of keeping everybody on the same page.