"Alex Being Alex"

9-time All Star...2-time MVP...2-time Gold Glover...4-time HR champ...Career .307 hitter...436 HR's...Over 1200 RBI's...8 straight seasons of 35+ HR's, 105+ RBI's...226 SB's...

These are all of the incredible statistics that Alex Rodriguez has amassed over his 11 year career. Yes, 11 years. Keep in mind, he started at 19, and he's just now turning 30. Scary isn't it? That a guy this great has so many more years ahead of him, and has been so great already.

But, what might even be scarier is what this guy has to live with every season. We all know he's tensed up in the big spots for the Yankees, and especially in regular season games against the Mets and Red Sox. And when you play for The Boss, thats what you get paid for. However, he did play well against the Mets last year (no homers, but batted over .600 in 6 games). And, although he may not have been Superman, he did hit 6 homers against the Red Sox last year in 19 games. The prior year, he hit over .300 in 19 reg. season games against the Sox. Not to mention he and David Ortiz, considered by many to be the most clutch player ever created, had the same amount of game winning RBI's last year. Some food for thought.

In the post season, he's a career .305 hitter in 31 games with 6 homers and 15 RBI's. In fact, in his first post season series with the Yanks, he hit over .400 against the Twins. The problem--he's 10 for his last 46 since that point.

Here's the bigger issue...This great young superstart, for all of the regular season accolades he collects, seems to legitimately tense up when the spotlight shines. While it only may be showing in NY (he did produce well in Seattle in the post-season), he seems to simply not be able to get it done when it counts. His first game of the series at the Stadium is a perfect example. Known league-wide as a stellar fielder, he makes two errors that blow the game wide open. In game two, he hit a tie breaking bomb off of Schilling.

You see though, that's where the problem comes in. After being ridden like a bad horse during the day, he comes through and it still won't be enough. The pressure on this man is too much, and it's absolutely true. While I'm not condoning his performance (I feel like I'd need another set of hands to count his errors and failures in big spots), the man simply can't do enough right. Game winner one game, huh? Well, if he doesn't hit one tomorrow, then he just isn't clutch.

His contract is too big! We've all heard that one, as if the contract he was foolishly given by the Rangers should have any bearing on his performance. Hicks overpaid for him, plain and simple. And, don't call him greedy, please. If I told you I would give you 25 million or 16, which would you take? Honestly.

Lest we forget, he does play alongside the man who can do no wrong, Derek Jeter. The man of the hour, Mr. November, Captain Clutch. He's done it in every big spot, he's the captain of the most popular franchise maybe in the whole world, and he never seems to catch any heat. I'm not suggesting he should catch any heat, but just about anyone comes up short in comparison to Jeter when it comes to clutch-"ness".

Finally, there's the whole phony personality thing. Let me say this. He does come off as fake at times, but you know what, so do all of these ballplayers. It has become so P.C. that no one says whats really on their mind, and if they do, they're considered an asshole (see Kevin Millar). So, again, we will return to the question and answer section of the post. Would you rather have a guy who does try to say the right things, is a generally good guy, is one of the top 2 players in the game, and does come off as a bit phony (at times) or would you rather have a guy like Manny Ramirez. Maybe the answer is simple. But, people never seem to give Manny a hard time for being a straight up prick. Not nice. Not interested. Hides in walls, demands trades, doesn't hustle. But hey, its just "Manny Being Manny".

I wonder when it will be "Alex Being Alex"