02/24: Larry Dobrow To A-Rod: "Get stupid, Surly and Bent"
Posted by: James
Mr. Dobrow has an open letter to A-Rod. You might have seen it already. If you haven't, it's an interesting and pretty amusing take on A-Rod's "image problem". I like the beginning as Dobrow does a good job in pointing out how everyone seems to feed on A-Rod's miscues while ignoring some other important factors:
However, this is where he and I differ. I like A-Rod the way he is. Do I wish every now and again that he would call out Curt Schilling or Ozzie Guillen and tell them off? Of course! It's only natural to root for your guys. However, I would rather shut them up on the field. if he has one monster playoff run and the Yankees win the Series at some point, doesn't all of this become a moot point? Other than that, what is there to change? He is a professional, intelligent (have you read his thoughts on investing in diversified investing and hedging with gold? He actually knows his stuff) and courteous family man who happens to be one of the best baseball players of all time. What's wrong with that?
Dobrow sees it a little differently though. His advice to A-Rod is simple enough:
The rest of the article is pretty much in step with that. it's pretty comical and I'm sure he's not serious but it left me wondering what percentage of people out there, Yankees fans especially, would like to see A-Rod "get surly".
Don't get me wrong: In theory, there's an awful lot to like. You never get hurt. You run out every ground ball. You're the only Yankees regular for whom a simple defensive play doesn't induce in me the cold dread usually associated with an imminent colonoscopy. Yet for all your numbers and professional polish, you've proved as embraceable as a sub-Saharan despot.
For some, it was the 2005 playoff no-show (these people ignore the six walks you drew in five games, which would seem to shift a bit of the blame to the fellas behind you in the order). For others, it was the Slappy McSlapRod incident against the Red Sox in 2004 (never mind your Ruthian 1.014 OPS in the postseason that year, nor your near-solo annihilation of the Twins in the divisional round).
For some, it was the 2005 playoff no-show (these people ignore the six walks you drew in five games, which would seem to shift a bit of the blame to the fellas behind you in the order). For others, it was the Slappy McSlapRod incident against the Red Sox in 2004 (never mind your Ruthian 1.014 OPS in the postseason that year, nor your near-solo annihilation of the Twins in the divisional round).
However, this is where he and I differ. I like A-Rod the way he is. Do I wish every now and again that he would call out Curt Schilling or Ozzie Guillen and tell them off? Of course! It's only natural to root for your guys. However, I would rather shut them up on the field. if he has one monster playoff run and the Yankees win the Series at some point, doesn't all of this become a moot point? Other than that, what is there to change? He is a professional, intelligent (have you read his thoughts on investing in diversified investing and hedging with gold? He actually knows his stuff) and courteous family man who happens to be one of the best baseball players of all time. What's wrong with that?
Dobrow sees it a little differently though. His advice to A-Rod is simple enough:
So I'm calling on you to ditch the just-one-of-the-guys pretense and embrace your inner Mike Tyson. On the field, stay the course. Off it, it's time for an extreme makeover, but with fewer "reveals" and more thunderous profanity within earshot of cancer-stricken kids. You can be a driven superstar for four hours every day and a liquored-up, late-night-diner pugilist the other 20. Just ask David Wells.
Frequenting illegal after-hours poker parlors was a good start, but you surrendered that goodwill with a florid apology and a cross-my-heart promise never to return. How about this: Tip off Page Six wags that you'll be exiting Scores at approximately 2:35 a.m. on the night before a day game. Emerge from said institution with a $20 bill dangling from your fly as the flashbulbs pop. Go 3-for-5 a few hours later and then leave the locker room without comment. Never, ever apologize.
Frequenting illegal after-hours poker parlors was a good start, but you surrendered that goodwill with a florid apology and a cross-my-heart promise never to return. How about this: Tip off Page Six wags that you'll be exiting Scores at approximately 2:35 a.m. on the night before a day game. Emerge from said institution with a $20 bill dangling from your fly as the flashbulbs pop. Go 3-for-5 a few hours later and then leave the locker room without comment. Never, ever apologize.
The rest of the article is pretty much in step with that. it's pretty comical and I'm sure he's not serious but it left me wondering what percentage of people out there, Yankees fans especially, would like to see A-Rod "get surly".
Patrick wrote: