Alex Rodriguez…. The Leader

What a difference a year makes. Around this time during the 2013 season we as a fan base was wondering what Alex Rodriguez had left after a second hip surgery and various lower leg injuries that hampered his season to date. Around this time last year in 2014 we were all dreading the offseason that was to come, Alex was suspended for the entire 2014 season after the Biogenesis scandal, was pushing 40 years old and had basically been out of the game for two full seasons. The fan base, as a majority anyway, hated Alex and had no respect for him, the organization didn’t seem to have much need for him either but as we look at the man, the myth, the leader that is Alex Rodriguez today we see an entirely different human being and ball player, do we not?

Alex has grown from a shell of a man into a leader, a leader that the Yankees can depend on. Alex has represented the team on HOPE Week and is YES Network spots and all that but this post is more geared towards his emergence as a leader from a teammate’s perspective. Who is the man at the top step after every home run or RBI to remove the batting helmet in celebration? And who is the first to give a huge fist pump and a big high-five to his teammates from the bench when a big hit or pitch is made? Who was standing as far as he could without upsetting the umpire or showing up the other team to high-five Slade Heathcott on his game winning home run Monday night? That’s right that was Alex.

This offseason, and well before Bald Vinny and others were doing and saying it and without the hope of financial gain from it as well, I asked to forgive Alex and all the steroid users. You’ve all done that and I don’t need credit as the first one to say it because I’m not that kind of dude, all that I ask now is that we all stop and thank Alex for his contributions not only on the field but off the field as well. Alex’s 3000 hit all the way to the agreement to donate the $6 million bonus he earned by tying Willie Mays on the all-time home run list. From the clutch home runs and game-tying or game-winning hits to every removed batting helmet after a big play we truly thank you Alex. Thank you for finally being you.