Yankees Editorial: Alex Rodriguez Finally Grows Up

Playing professional baseball is a privilege afforded only to the best of the best. For the past 20 years Alex Rodriguez spent his time being a pest and disrespecting the game we love. While these seem like strong words, as the uncle of a famous super hero character once put it: “with great power, comes great responsibility.” If you ask me, being in the spotlight, in a position to influence millions with your thoughts and actions, that’s a great responsibility and one the A-Rod took lightly before his record-breaking suspension last year.

However, after a year cooling off and spending time with his daughters, he finally understands that there are more important things in life than money, breaking records or even playing professional baseball.

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Even though he’s made gargantuan mistakes, he now understands the privilege that he has to wear a New York Yankees uniform. Evidence of his growth as a human being can be seen in the way he has carried himself this year and how he’s handling the fact that the Yankees will not pay him for any ‘milestone’ homerun he hits. Had he been the A-Rod of days past, he’d be suing the pants off the Yankees. What is Rodriguez’s approach this time around? “I haven’t been good at negotiating,” Rodriguez said, “so maybe I’ll just quit on that.”

Another encouraging sign of A-Rod’s new found humanity was what he was thinking after finally reaching 660 homeruns. “There were a lot of emotions,” Rodriguez said. “I though about my children, my girls. My mom. All of the folks who stayed with me through the last few years.”

When his achievement finally dawned on him, he couldn’t help but be grateful and awestricken. “A year ago, I never would have dreamt about this incredible moment,” Rodriguez said. “I was in a cave in Miami, serving my time. To be here today, with you guys, the fans, my teammates. I’m very thankful to the Yankees and to Major League Baseball for allowing me to play this game.”

The 18 year-old super-star that once lived inside the body of a fully grown 40-year-old man has finally matured into an even-keeled person. When Spring Training first started, there were severe doubts that Rodriguez could contribute to the club, on and off the field. So far this season, he’s carried himself with the dignity of a Yankee. Not only that, instead of running his mouth to reporters, he’s letting his bat do the talking. Let’s hope that his journey hasn’t been in vain and that his scars continually remind him of where he has been and the long journey still ahead.

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