New York tabloid takes parting shot at Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez enjoyed a memorable sendoff from the New York Yankees on Friday night.
You wouldn’t know that though based on the back page headline in Saturday’s New York Post.
The well-known tabloid, which isn’t afraid to push the envelope with its headlines, elected to focus on the pre-game thunderstorm that disrupted the Yankees planned ceremony for A-Rod and in their estimation may have sent a stronger message from above.
That’s pretty strong.
Granted, a lot of people had fun with the circumstances surrounding A-Rod’s parade getting rained on. But this comes across as an especially stinging parting shot given how well received A-Rod was by the fans and how positively his entire ordeal with the Yankees played itself out.
[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Baseball contest now]
There was no hate being thrown around at Yankee Stadium. There was no palpable anger. It was a career coming full circle with acceptance and maybe a little forgiveness too setting the tone.
As Matt Snyder of Eye on Baseball points out, A-Rod has two daughters who love him unconditionally and he got to spend 22 seasons playing the game he loved at the highest level. He’s obviously done a lot of things right in life, even if some people can’t get past his mistakes and the lows he’s endured as a result of his actions.
Beyond that, his daughters don’t deserve to be subjected to such a message even if the Post argues it’s tongue-in-cheek. To paint him in that light, on this night, was entirely off the mark.
We’re not saying all hard feelings should be thrown aside regarding A-Rod. If you bare them, by all means hold on as tightly as you need too. We’re not saying he deserves a pity party either. Just a little respect for coming through his complicated career a better man who is setting a better example.
More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:
– – – – – – –
Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
