Stop. Please just stop all this madness with Alex Rodriguez. Stop the witch hunt to condemn everything he has done in his life. Get the man out from under the microscope. I beg of you. Please let me go a month without hearing anything about Alex Rodriguez, aside from what he does on the field. In my 23 years on this earth, I have never seen a man be scrutinized as much as he. I have never seen so many people determined to bring another human being down.
Let us look at all the non-stories that have become all to public before the real crap hit the fan these past few days.
*A-Rod is seen in Toronto with someone that is categorized as a "butch" stripper named Joslyn Morse. If I had to hazard a guess, I would say that about 60% of professional athletes go out to strip clubs. It is also my belief that about 30% of them cheat on their wives. Maybe I am being a little harsh here but I believe you understand my point. A-Rod is out with someone that is not his wife and 15 seconds later there are pictures all over the internet. And to pour salt in the wound we refer to her as "butch."
*A-Rod goes through his divorce. Many people are getting divorced nowadays, yet we enjoy the trauma A-Rod has to endure. On top of it all, he ends up allegedly dating Madonna. For this we make fun of him. We don't hassle Tony Romo because he is dating the now whale-esque Jessica Simpson. No, no we hop on A-Rod and love it.
*Every week there is a story out of New York about A-Rod's relationship with his teammates. Do his teammates support him? Why can't A-Rod be more like Jeter? Even his teammates call him A-Fraud! Why does this man have to endure this time and time again?
The answer is simple. Signing the infamous 10 year $252 million contract put A-Rod in a permanent spotlight. No one looks at the fact that, yeah, he just might "deserve" that kind of money. Here is a guy who played more than 155 games 7 times in his career. Here is a guy who puts up video game statistics year after year. He is the best player to ever play the game. As a Red Sox fan, he strikes fear into me every time I see him stride to the plate.
If we look at other icons in their respective sports, doesn't Kobe Bryant jump out at anyone? He raped a girl! RAPE! But oh no, let us scrutinize A-Rod for yelling "I got it" while he was running the bases in Toronto, distracting a player from making a routine catch. KOBE RAPED SOMEONE!
Although not the icon he used to be, Ray Lewis literally got away with MURDER! He KILLED 2 people! But wait a minute, did A-Rod slap a ball out of Bronson Arroyo's glove? Now that is a mortal sin! It is ok Ray, you can kill as many people as you like, and go onto play in a Super Bowl. We aren't going to care that you have taken the lives away from others. A-Rod is busy playing bush league baseball.
I am eternally grateful that A-Rod came out and admitted his steroid usage. He showed that he has the potential to be a man of character and principle in admitting his transgressions. Granted he was helped from prior instances. (See Bonds, Barry and Clemens, Roger vs. Giambi, Jason and Pettite, Andy.) I sincerely hope that this helps ease the spotlight on A-Rod. Let the man live his life, play his game, and not be under public duress for the rest of his life.
-Hustle
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