A-ROD DESERVES BETTER...AND SO DO YANKEES FANS

     After reading the commentary below, please express your own thoughts.  Instructions on how to do so are written at the bottom of this column.  Thank you.

     It is absolutely disgraceful how the owners of the New York Yankees are treating Alex Rodriguez.  The superstar slugger - at a news conference on Sunday morning, August 7th, 2016 - told his fans...and the entire world...that Friday, August 12th will be his last game as a player.  A-Rod has sat on the bench for most of the past month with only one start and 7 at-bats in 14 games since July 22nd.

     The New York Times reports that Rodriguez will be paid his remaining salary - about 6 million dollars - for the rest of the 2016 season...plus about 21 million dollars for the 2017 season...which will complete his 10-year contract worth 275 million dollars.  Therefore, if money was not the reason the Yankees made the decision to not let A-Rod play anymore...then what's going on in the heads of Yankees principal owner, co-chairman and managing general partner, Hal Steinbrenner...and his brother - co-owner and co-chairman, Hank Steinbrenner?  I

can't believe their father, George Steinbrenner - if he was alive today - would have acted in such a deplorable fashion by cutting Rodriguez from the roster.  It is despicable that the Steinbrenners and team general manager, Brian Cashman are not allowing A-Rod to finish out his contract as a player...and to be able to end his career...with the dignity that is proper and befitting of this talented athlete.  "The Boss" is probably spinning in his grave over the shameful way that his sons have performed in this matter.  I guess

Hal and Hank Steinbrenner - along with Brian Cashman - attended "The Donald Trump School Of Slime."

    

      Following the August 12th game against the Tampa Bay Rays, the 41-year old Rodriguez will be unconditionally released from his player contract.  He is then expected to sign a new contract with the Yankees to serve in his role as a special adviser and instructor through December 31st, 2017.  At his press conference, A-Rod - fighting back tears, as his heart was breaking - told reporters..."This is a tough day.  I love this game...and I love this team.  And today, I'm saying goodbye."

     With a career 696 home runs...Alex Rodriguez had a  

chance of breaking Babe Ruth's record of 714 homers.  And although it was unlikely - 
anything in life is always possible...so who knows - A-Rod could have surpassed Henry Aaron's 755...or Barry Bonds' top spot of 762. Nevertheless... Rodriguez certainly would have reached a personal goal of 700 home runs.

     I've been a fan of the New York Yankees all my life.  My dad took me to my first Yankees game in 1961 when I was only six and a half years old.  But despite my love for this team...I think Alex Rodriguez should "stick the Yankees contract where the sun don't shine"...sign with another team - even if it's for less money...since Rodriguez doesn't need the bucks - and...in plain English...say "screw you" to the Steinbrenners and Cashman.  Rodriguez never used the word "retire" during his news conference, so if another Major League Baseball club presented him with an offer to play...the question is...would he consider doing it?  Nobody has ruled that out.

     Alex Rodriguez should have been able to go out in style...and on his own terms...so to disrespect him...as the Yankees have done...is disgusting.  After 22-years as a professional baseball player...and all the years he has made a mega-amount of money for the New York Yankees...A-Rod is worthy of an "Alex Rodriguez Day"...as was done for Derek Jeter and so many other Yankees of their caliber who hang up their cleats and put away their bat and glove.

     His voice choking up... Rodriguez shared the following sentiment.  "You always think you have one more hit in you.  That wasn't in the cards.  That was the Yankees' decision...and I'm at peace with it."  But if you believe 

that...then you'll believe that Mickey Mantle will be returning to the "Bronx Bombers'" line-up.  Unfortunately..."The Mick" is now wearing a halo and wings...not pinstripes.  So the only team number 7 is playing for now...is the "Angels." 

     As for Alex Rodriguez...he had the right to take...a final bow.  Oh I'm sure he will get that on August 12th...but A-Rod earned that standing ovation...in the appropriate manner awarded to all Yankees legends.  And his fans...deserved the opportunity to give it.

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

     "We'll talk again."

The Controversy is a publication of GBD Productions.  Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B. Duglin.

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Photo credits: New York Yankees, logos.wikia.com andwikia.nocookie.net (New York Yankees Logo), foxnews.com (Alex Rodriguez #1), williamaaron.sportsblog.com (Hal Steinbrenner), usatoday.com and usatoday.net (Hank Steinbrenner), Associated Press and espn.go.com (George Steinbrenner), rumorsandrants.com (Brian Cashman), theonion.com (Republican Nominee for President, Donald Trump), timesunion.com and hdnux.com (Alex Rodriguez #2), hornet.fullcoll.edu (Babe Ruth), sabr.org (Henry Aaron), bostonsportsfanatics.sportsblog.com (Barry Bonds), usatoday.com and usatoday.net (Derek Jeter), nydailynews.com (Alex Rodriguez #3), maxpreps.com (Mickey Mantle) and pixhder.com and tabernaculoprensadedios.com (Alex Rodriguez #4)

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