Replies to post #164337 on Baseball Chat (BASEBALL)

[Eli's Gone]

A Yankee fan's perspective:

Coming into this season ARod was persona non grata----he was out of the game for a year due to suspension-last time on the field couldn't catch up to an 85 MPH slowball--was coming off two hip surgeries--and had thrown the Yankee front office, medical staff, and MLB under the bus...

based on the above, no one expected anything from him on or off the field---Yankee fans kept their distance and MLB fans in general considered him a pariah...

under contract, he showed up to camp....he has accepted his role with the club without a gripe---he has been an elder statesman to the young players---he has been humble and contrite in every instance this season---has handled every interview (and there have been many) with class---he has handled his negative reception from fans admirably---and outside of this 0-18, 1-27, 3-39 two week drought that he broke tonite with a game winning and MLB record grand slam. he has performed great on the field...

he received a curtain call tonite----he is having his 3000 hits recognized in a pre-game ceremony---and IMO has earned it, mainly for his performance off the field...

I would root for the devil if he was in our starting lineup---and maybe he is---but his horns have vanished--he has earned back my respect....

[SoxFan]

I vote we should loathe him although I wouldn't stop with just Aroid. They have plenty that are loathable.

[fung_derf]

No. You're not the only one. .....as a yankee fan, you are bred to be drawn to evil and bad characters. It has just taken them a bit longer to warm up to A. Rod. Nevermind that a couple years ago, he couldn't even see a fastball, let alone hit it. He has sold his soul, and now he's back. Love him.