Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff
So, you can see from the comments on the blog here just how popular my A-Rod over Lowell stance is…no need to rehash here…just go read for yourself.
However, what you may have missed is what’s going on over at LowellSun.com. Besides plastering my mug on the top of the front page, they also made the article the Top Story online, opening it up to comments from readers. Not to mention, they ran a poll question that received 533 responses, which we believe is a record. The results; 95% want Mike Lowell…5% agree with me to bring in Alex Rodriguez.
The comments were even harsher than the results. A sampling, along with a response from me:
“You are an IDIOT!!! How many homers did A-Rod have in the Post season? Maybe you are smart enough to figure that out.”—Frank from Lisle, Illinois
You know you’ve made it big time when you’re being called an IDIOT all the way out in the Midwest.
"Keep Mike Lowell; we don’t want A-Fraud here. Nice timing of his “announcement”, wasn’t it? Leave him where he belongs or let some other team pay his hefty price tag. A lot of good he did the Yankers this year-money down the drain.”--Gretchen from South Walpole, MA
Well, at least we can agree on insulting the Yankees. Or was “Yankers” just a typo?
“I think ARod wants to be with the Red Sox so that he can bring down the Sox like he did the Yankees! Go Sox!!!—jlandry1 from Andover, MA
The conspiracy theorists chime in. Guess we’ll have to investigate whether A-Rod was the second gunman in the grassy knoll, or if he planted the bombs that brought down the World Trade Center.
“A-Rod is low class and Lowell is high class. The area needs a great role model for the children…A-Rod is NOT that person.”—willyu, No town given
Young boys listen to rap music that advocates cop killing and domestic abuse, while our little girls want to dress and act like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. And you think A-Rod is a bad influence?
“If they don’t put forth a solid effort to re-sign Lowell then I’m sure they’ll be looking for the “knockout” and sign A-Rod. That will be the last time I ever watch, listen or read about the Red Sox. Promise.”—Merrimack from Boston
Do you also promise not to cheer for him after he belts his 50th homer in a Sox uniform? Or are you one of those people who still root against Randy Moss?
“Dumb question. Lowell. He at least knows what it’s like to be in a World Series. As for A-Rod? If it’s not happening to or for A-Rod it’s just not happening. What a putz!”—Boston Born from Carrolton, Ohio
When folks are using foreign languages to disparage you, you know you’re not a popular player. Or was the comment directed towards me?
“About a year or so ago I was talking to my nephew. I made the comment that I would rather have Mike Lowell than A-FRaud. He told me to take a drug test. I still feel that way, especially after Lowell gave his best Scott Brossius imitation & nailed clutch hit after clutch hit. We now see the true side of Rodriguez with the classless way he went out of his way to disrespect the Yankees. For whatever reason he felt like hurting them or maybe getting even for all the crap he took while in pinstripes. Good riddance Alex, hope your new teammates can count on you more than we were.”—Bob E. Yankee Fan from Visalia, California
Not only is Rodriguez a special player on the field, but off it as well, able to unite Sox and Yankees fans in at least one area…their hatred of him. Oh, and if you’re one of those Yankees fans who booed A-Rod while cheering druggies and steroid cheats like Steve Howe, Darryl Strawberry, Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield, you should take your nephew’s advice.
Comments (10)
Congratulations TP. Word of your foolishness has spread throughout the country. Why would you want that wretched, overpaid, waste of human flesh A Rod in Boston when we have a proven winner and class act like Lowell here allready. That says alot about your loyalty. Let me guess, your favorite greek restaurant must be the Olympia. It's filthy scoundrels like yourself that give all media a bad name. Wake up and smell the greek coffee, Panos before you alienate all of your blog followers.
Posted by Hairy Potter | November 1, 2007 8:59 AM
Posted on November 1, 2007 08:59
Teddy,
I think the Randy Moss comparison is right on the money regarding A-Rod. Bad guy on a bad team that leaves a bad taste in fan's mouths. The only difference is Moss went to a team with a head coach who won't put up with BS. Joe Torre and Tito are considered "players managers" and let a lot of stuff go. I don't think a guy like A-Rod would fare any differently here than in New York where he had all sorts of problems as well.
It just seems kind of funny that arguably one of the 5 greatest ballplayers of all time is on the open market and it doesn't really seem like anyone is clamoring to get him.
Posted by Michael from New York | November 1, 2007 3:46 PM
Posted on November 1, 2007 15:46
Granted, Michael, there won't be 10-15 teams lining up to sign A-Rod...the size of the contract and baseball economics will limit the chase to a handful of suitors. Still, that's all you need to get a huge deal. Heck, J.D. Drew got a monster contract and all indications are the Sox were the only suitor.
All I know is Scott Boras convinced A-Rod to walk away from $25-million a year guaranteed, just like he convinced Drew to walk away from his big deal with the Dodgers when everyone thought he was crazy. An agent like Boras doesn't do this unless there's something better already on the table.
And all their tough talk aside, don't think the Yankees won't get involved in the process. Especially if the Sox and Mets end up in the chase as well. The Yankees aren't going to open that new stadium with Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano as their selling points. They need a "name" locked up long-term, and A-Rod still fits the bill.
Posted by Teddy P. | November 1, 2007 4:08 PM
Posted on November 1, 2007 16:08
The Boston Globe had an article Saturday morning on A-Rod's salary request; his agent was looking for 350 million for him to continue to talk to the Yankees. 350 million, payable in US dollars, (as in a 1/3 of a billion) seems a little steep to me for his services - whatever happened to salary caps?
Posted by KSM | November 3, 2007 12:05 PM
Posted on November 3, 2007 12:05
No such thing as a salary cap. You have to pay a luxury tax if your total salaries are above a certain number, but there's no limit to how much you can spend. Otherwise, our Boston Boys of Summer would be right there with the Yankees, dropping players to get under the cap.
Do those A-Rod numbers surprise anyone? I mean, he signed for 10-years and 250-million back in December of 2000. You didn't expect him to walk away from the remainder of that deal if he didn't have a better offer on the table, did you?
Plus, if you prorate J.D. Drew's production and salary with A-Rod's, you might find Rodriguez at $350-mil is a bargain.
Posted by Teddy P. | November 3, 2007 2:52 PM
Posted on November 3, 2007 14:52
A-Rod can hit 85 Homeruns hit 180RBI's and bat .385 but where are those numbers when it really counts? Mike (theres a lot to like about) Lowell is a Classier and Better all around player than A-Rod ON and OFF the field! I believe that the RedSox front office will do what it takes to retain the services of Lowell.
Forever Diehard Redsox fan
Shappy
Posted by Shappy | November 3, 2007 3:18 PM
Posted on November 3, 2007 15:18
No question about A-Rod's ability; I just can't see the Sox putting up those kind of numbers for a new shortstop. My best guess is that Lowell will get an offer equivalent to what Jason Varitek received; A-Rod is destined for a team that will pay him to break Barry Bond's record.
Posted by KSM | November 3, 2007 5:05 PM
Posted on November 3, 2007 17:05
I would be inclined to agree KSM, if I hadn't just watched them put up $51-million just to TALK to Scott Boras about Dice-K. They've shown a willingness to pay whatever it takes when they want their man, especially if that man is a marketing bonanza.
Posted by Teddy P. | November 3, 2007 5:43 PM
Posted on November 3, 2007 17:43
If I understand the numbers correctly, we're still about $15-mil apart (per annum) on what the Sox would be willing to pay to get A-Rod. I see Lowell staying in Boston (with a 4 year deal) and the Sox biding their time on the shortstop issue; the $350-mil "floor" price tag for A-Rod (assuming the Sox are interested) will be a deal killer.
Posted by KSM | November 3, 2007 9:22 PM
Posted on November 3, 2007 21:22
Should Lowell leave via free agency I think I'd be more inclined to look for a trade for a 3rd (or 1st) baseman rather than even bother flirting with A-Rod. He's just too expensive. Anyone here want to pay double what you do now for tickets, hot dogs, etc the next time you go to Fenway???
Go after either Atkins or Ian Stewart of the Rockies. Obviously they need pitching so maybe you can deal a couple of arms from the minors and a fringe positional prospect... Can probably get Eric Chavez from the A's if you think you could keep him healthy... Miguel Cabrera could even be a target. Don't think the Marlins want to pay big bucks to a 260 lb guy but maybe you can trade for him and a dietician to be named later...
Ultimately- I am of the mind that A-Rod needs to be about plan Z for 3rd base or shortstop for the Boston Red Sox. Let him be someone else's albatross for the next 10 years or so.
Posted by dboisver | November 5, 2007 11:01 AM
Posted on November 5, 2007 11:01