From Mark Feinsand:
ST. PETERSBURG - Yankees fans expressed their outrage on talk radio yesterday after they learned Alex Rodriguez had taped a message for Manny Ramirez, one which will be played at Fenway Park after the Red Sox slugger joins A-Rod as a member of the 500 home run club.
A-Rod's message to those fans? Ramirez's accomplishment has nothing to do with the rivalry, but is rather an historic accomplishment by one of the game's great hitters. "This is bigger than the Yankees and Red Sox," Rodriguez said. "This is baseball history. How many guys have 500 home runs?"
A-Rod also has recorded a similar message for Cincinnati's Ken Griffey Jr., his former Mariners teammate who stands three homers shy of joining Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Sammy Sosa as the only players with 600.
When the Red Sox contacted the Yankees to ask if A-Rod would take part in the video message - one of several players around the league invited to do so - team officials took the rivalry into consideration before approaching Rodriguez. Ramirez currently has 498 home runs.
The message? "Manny, I'm going to keep this short because I'm probably getting booed. Congratulations and many more."
I can see why some fans are upset by this, and A-Rod probably knew what he was getting into when he decided to do it - he had to know some fans would get angry. But I don't really care about this at all, mainly because he was asked to do it. If he had done it on his own then I'd have a problem with it.
and am I wrong for not being upset?
7 Comments:
this whole thing is ridiculous. who cares. manny may be a fruitcake, but he is one of the best righty hitters our generation will probably ever see. i'm a stereotypical a-hole yankees fan and I have no problem admitting that. you're all good in my book GC. oh yeah for anyone who may think i lost faith - BOSTON SUCKS!
I for one support A-Rod in congratulating Manny, not just cause I rep Wash. Heights either haha...
But nah, baseball players have a fraternal order amongst each other, teams have a tighter one, certain nationalities have their own as well.. They care about their own. When anyone reaches a great milestone like the 500 club you have to appreciate it. The rivalry means nothing here. Give credit where its due.
I actually think it is kind of funny. I think it will upset Bostons fans even more then the Yankee fans that are complaining. Really, what difference does it make? I am with you Greg.
Like you said, anything A-Rod does is an insult to must yankee fans. Instead of looking at this like the historical moment that it is, specially for New Yorkers. Remember Manny went to High School (George Washington HS) in NYC. What A-Rod is doing is a form of sportmanship and has to be looked at as a very manly thing to do regardless of the rivalry. How come it was not a big deal to do it for his ex-teamate Ken Griffey Jr. So please (people) when making a comment, think of all the things A-Rod has accomplished, and the things he will do in the NAME of the NEW YORK YANKEES. And like derek said "BOSTON SUCKS" Yankees "RULE". Remeber it's a long way to 26* so chinup LOL........
I don't know why Yankee fans are all aghast over this. It's just one great player telling another great player, "Welcome to the club."
Seems like no big deal to me.
Cool, I'm glad I'm not the only one that doesn't really have a problem with this. If I was I'd feel like a bit of a sellout.
Oh, and yes, BOSTON SUCKS!
This is a complete non issue. I have no problem whatsoever with Alex doing this.
The issue I DO have with it is the Red Sox (and Manny) asking people to record these things. It's lame. If someone wants to congratulate you, let them do it voluntarily, don't ask them to do it. Weird.
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