Yankees Editorial: Alex Rodriguez is Thriving as Baseball’s Villain

Coming into the year Alex Rodriguez was going to hear the jeers from every opposing fan base, but how would he respond? A-Rod has embraced the boos, and it has fueled him while he is batting. Joe Girardi can see how Alex Rodriguez when talking to a NJ.com reporter.

"‘It’s happened so much over his career,’ Girardi said. ‘Sometimes players feed off it.’"

On Friday night Alex Rodriguez was able to his 660th home run, and tie Willie Mays, at Fenway against the Red Sox no less. Girardi believes A-Rod was feeling the pressure, just like when A-Rod was going for 600.

"‘That’s a big home run,’ Girardi said. ‘To give us a win like that. And I’m happy for him to get by this so he doesn’t have to answer questions. I know that it could take its toll on a player when you’re answering questions for a week to 10 days.’"

Alex Rodriguez is hearing all the boos, and has acknowledged that some fans have been louder than others when he come to bat. A-Rod has been able to take everything in stride, and has been a productive member of this year’s Yankee team. With him being a productive right hand bat, he is able to split up a heavy left-handed lineup.

The most important thing with the A-Rod saga is how the teammates have embraced Rodriguez. Alex Rodriguez is out there helping teammates with hitting or helping out a young shortstop on fielding. When A-Rod was able to hit his 660th home run, all of his teammates were excited. Girardi talked about how these players have seen what A-rod has gone through.

"What the home run meant to us tonight and [what] these guys have been [through] with Alex and have had to see him deal with a lot…some guys have been with him for a while."

As the Yankees continue to play great baseball, the crowds are going to start jeering A-Rod louder and louder, but that will be more fuel for Alex Rodriguez.

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