While most baseball fans count with anticipation the weeks till their home openers, Yankees fans should be bracing for it. When the Category 5 shitstorm that is Hurricane Alex finally hits 161 Street and River Avenue, the rationality of fans will be put to the test like never before.
On one hand, fans want to lose themselves in what is, in essence, an unscripted super hero movie. We identify the good guys and root like hell for them, as if the future of the world depended on the outcome.
On the other hand, we don't want our voluntarily suspended reality taken for granted and our intelligence insulted. In other words, we may play dumb, but don't treat us like we're stupid.
Which bring us to Alex Rodriguez, who spoke before the media Tuesday and came out looking no better than the cheating, lying, other-planetary media klutz he was before.
And THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is the face of our Yankees franchise in 2009. Believe it.
Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada? Old news. And, according to Jeff Pearlman, "dolts" who did themselves a disservice by blindly supporting A-Rod, when his actions to this point have countered anyone worthy of such backing.
Among those unimpressed with A-Rod are Jon Heyman, Jayson Stark, Mark Feinsand, Steve Lombardi and even general manager Brian Cashman. Among those convinced that Rodriguez purged demons with 100% candor and honesty ... uh, I'll get back to you with those.
A-Rod's march toward Barry Bonds' career home run mark was supposed to be a feel-good story, a chance for the Yankees' p.r. machine to make good on the staggering 10-year, $275 million contract they signed Rodriguez to in 2007. Alas, they bought a lemon, and A-Rod's journey will be no more wholesome and no less awkward than Bonds'.
So that's who we've got. Barry Bonds in pinstripes. Yay.
When A-Rod steps to the plate in the new Yankee Stadium, I hope fans extend to him a clear sign that we're offering him a second chance and a clean slate.
With dead, perfect silence.
