THE AROD PHOTOS THAT WILL BE UNFAIRLY OVERBLOWN

A picture speaks a thousand words.  With all the criticism against Alex Rodriguez lately, the timing of these 2 Associated Press photos in this post will be seen around the world and based on Alex's facial expressions, will draw fire and unfair criticism. People will look at them and assume Alex is angry being asked to be pulled from the game for Raul Ibanez. Is it fair? Look, I have to tell you, I'm fascinated with photography.  Whomever took these pictures is a genius, they saw something developing in the dugout, they went for it. For all we know Alex smiled moments later.  We don't know, but that being said, these pictures will most likely be unfairly overblown because of all the struggles of Alex Rodriguez.

(Photo Credit: Associated Press)
Last night Joe Girardi did something that he thought was right for the team.  He didn't want to move Alex Rodriguez down in the batting order despite a black hole in the number 3 spot.  Girardi has respect for Alex and he left him in the 3 hole because he knows that at any moment, ARod could have the game of his life.  I understand his mentality, I'm fine with that. But then, after striking out 2 times last night, and the game running out, the timing was right.  Joe Girardi took the reigns, he walked over the Alex and simply told him he was taking him out for a less than outstanding athlete in Raul Ibanez. Was it the right move at that moment? Who knows, but after the game was over, Girardi looked like a genius. 

Now, it's my opinion that it was the right thing to do.  Girardi can sit back and say it was a "gut" thing, and he'll never reveal the truth, but I tell you what, it was a "timing" thing. Pulling ARod was the perfect scenario. Girardi can just simply suggest we "change it up" and Alex can sit back and say, "You know what? Go for it, I'm struggling."  Now, maybe that happened and maybe not.  Again, you can look at the Alex body language in these brilliant photographs and draw your own conclusions.

(Photo Credit: Associated Press)
Look, one thing I have to say is, the Yankee players are professionals.  Many times last night the press asked about taking Alex out of the lineup for Raul and no one, NO ONE said a bad  thing about Alex.  I heard that Alex was a "team player". David Robertson said he didn't even know Raul came in for Alex. Raul himself said he was "surprised", but "Alex is a team player." Even Joe said that when he approached Alex, he said "Do what you have to do"... so to speak. Alex and his teammates love each other, they understand Alex is struggling and they understand how hard this game can be sometimes. 

Then, the magic happened. Raul Ibanez hit 2 home runs, filling the spot of a struggling Alex and now the NY press is salivating.  Why? It's another day of Alex bashing for them. Unfair? I'd say so.  Look, I'm not saying Alex didn't freak out last night when he was pulled.  He very well may have, but again, pictures speak a thousand words and you can take these 2 pictures any way you want. Alex was intense, Alex was happy, Alex was angry, or Alex was a team player.  Was this an angry exchange? Was it just a conversation? Was Alex "fine"?  All I'm saying is, assume Alex gave in because even he knows he's been struggling.  It would be selfish for him to just "want" and "need" to be in the lineup if he's had such a terrible post season. Even Alex knows sometimes changing it up is good for the team. 

Let's assume for arguments sake that Alex was fine with it.  Why do I say that? Because there was another image that wasn't photographed, but was on TV last night and never mentioned by the TBS announcers who miss EVERY moment. When Raul was coming into the dugout when he tied the score 2-2,  Alex Rodriguez was the first guy on the top of the dugout steps. He waited and high-fived and hugged Raul Ibanez.  Alex Rodriguez IS a team player. Alex Rodriguez may have had his feelings hurt last night, but at the end of the day, he's the first guy out there to congratulate a teammate and he has been this whole season. There is no denying that.  Sure, it wasn't like that early on in his Yankee career, but after 2009, something clicked with Alex. He became a New York Yankee.

So say what you will about him, photograph him and cause a stir in the press. Perceive those 2 photos above of Alex Rodriguez however you'd like, but I know in my heart that Alex knows that certain moves are important to improve the club and win the game. It happened last night and while the press will kill Alex today and say he's "pissed" or "angry at Joe"... I will take the high road.  Alex may be Alex, but at the end of the day, there are 25 guys on that team that want to win a championship and while he may be struggling right now, Alex has heart, Alex cares and Alex is a team player.

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