A-Rod proves once again: Idolizing athletes dangerous

Alex Rodriguez did the only thing he could when he issued an apology Monday for having used performance enhancing drugs from 2001-2003 as a member of the mostly last place Texas Rangers. I had to chuckle a little when he apologized to his fans in Texas. I'm not sure that group represents a significant number of people, or even an insignificant number of people. You could probably fit Ranger fans who also consider themselves A-Rod fans into an hgh prescription bottle. A-Rod didn't leave too many weeping groupies upon his final departure from The Ballpark in Arlington and if you want proof of that, try to get tickets to this season's Yankees-Ranger series. See who receives the biggest crowd response when he comes to the plate.

A-Rod knows if he ever hopes to have a halfway decent chance of being properly immortalized he had to come out with a quick apology. (Only thing he forgot is that the Baseball Writers of America, the powder-wigged group responsible for populating the Hall of Fame, have long memories.) If there was sincerity in his apology, I'm glad he came forth with it. As a long-standing member of the American Society of Cynics, I found myself reviewing the tapes of the interview repeatedly, attempting to determine if A-Rod's repeated lip biting during one intense period of questioning was an attempt to stumble away from oncoming emotion or if he was trying to find the right word so he could avoid a legal pickle. It was inconclusive to me.

The Boy and I talked about A-Rod's admission of guilt briefly last night.

"A-Rod admitted doing steroids," I said.

"Oh," he said and smirked.

And that was it.

Another inconclusive moment, this from a kid who once idolized baseball and Major Leaguers but has since given that up for higher and more honorable pursuits. The Boy never much cared for A-Rod, and when he bolted Texas for New York, any lingering interest in the superstar vanished completely.

How much will A-Rod's apology mean to Americans? Finicky as we are, an 'I'm sorry' coming from a superstar ballplayer who is the biggest and richest at what he does yet still finds time to step out on his wife and young family and end up in the arms of one Madonna is understandably suspect. Forgiveness from the American baseball fans may be as common an occurrence as a box score with Mario Mendoza hitting for the cycle. Personally, I can't judge A-Rod, nor should I, nor should any of us, but human nature often wins out over how we should react in cases involving rich sports stars who screw up big time. We don't pity them much.

We tend to pick and choose who we want to forgive. By and large, we have no intention of ever forgiving Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens unless they personally knock on our front door, get on their knees and beg and plead with us one by one. Even still ...

On the other hand, we have shown a remarkable amount of tolerance and acceptance for Andy Pettitte, who is far more likable in the public eye than Clemens or Bonds or A-Rod.

I have been impassioned about the sport since I was 9 years old, when I was a member of a YMCA team in Irving. I struck out and got stuck in left field in what I recall was my only appearance of the season. I was not good. But I loved it and my clear inability to excel did not vanquish that love. I have loved the game so long that I recently determined the only way for that love to continue in spite of the people who play it would mean I would have to consider the athletes mere pawns put there only to make my life better. Nameless, faceless entertainers who are there to make life more enjoyable and nothing more other than for me to get my $499 worth out of my Lazy Boy. Jesters in my court all.

ESPN talker Collin Cowherd said yesterday that sports is nothing more than entertainment with a score and A-Rod will continue to be a major gate draw wherever he goes simply because people always go to the circus to see the elephant. Ironically, at another event I attended last weekend not having anything to do with baseball, an Indian priest told me there's an old saying in his homeland: Always stay far away from the elephant.

Comments

[Dennis]

And the hits keep coming. Now Tejada is charged with lying to Congress about a former teammate's use of steroids/HGH.

[Jimmy]

Miguel was lying? No way.

[Monni]

...Like any of this is a surprise?

I don't even really care or know anything about baseball, and I've been hearing this for the longest time.

:)

Sorry to rain on your parade, but the wind has probably postponed the parade far enough back that the rain wouldn't matter.

[Steve Drummond]

Wouldn't it be refreshing if a famous person would apologize for something BEFORE they get caught. In cases like A-Rod I wonder if it isn't more that they're sorry for getting caught , not so much for what they actually did. I would like for A-Rod to be man enough to impose a 50 game suspension on himself. Then, I would believe he REALLY is sorry.

[Les]

I sincerely thank you for this entry, Jimmy. For two reasons: 1 - I like, and will adopt, the idea of these pawns performing for my pleasure. Thanks for the alternative. 2 - it's always nice to hear from someone who played the game at my own level.

[JAW1]

Why not start a Chemical League for all sports stipulating all players must use steroids or "shoot-up" in some form or fashion. They could build their stadiums bigger, the goal posts higher and the tracks longer. After a few seasons, I wonder whether the current leagues would still be in business. How many purists for the love of the games played still exist? Imagine how exciting it would be to have players actually blow up when they hit one another. It is obvious the owners of these sports junkies are not enforcing the rules, so why bother?

[Jimmy]

Steve ... you make a good point and I agree completely.

Les ... sounds like you and I might not be able to even successfully play catch together.

JAW ... Hey, it worked with wrestling so I think you're on to something.

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