Is Alex Rodriguez Good for Baseball?

Since joining the New York Yankees, Alex Rodriguez has been the talk of New York City. He has been the toast of the town early this season by becoming the quickest Yankee ever to hit six homeruns; however, his lack of clutch hitting has become renowned. Not to mention, the fact that he is not Derek Jeter has outlawed him with fans. But overall, is Alex Rodriguez bad for the game of baseball?

At times, it seems that Alex Rodriguez simply cannot keep his mouth shut. His comments in recent years since joining the New York Yankees have landed him in the doghouse with the Associated Press. Overall, his image and stature as a player has suffered tremendously since joining the best franchise in baseball. Essentially, he has turned from being a hero to being a villain in the mind of fans. He has gone from being a hero as a Mariner who carried the team to being a hated player as a Yankee.

Being over-paid was not so much of an issue when he was a Texas Ranger, but his Yankee status has brought that subject to the forefront. Why weren't more fans outraged at his contract when he was a Texas Ranger? Why all of the sudden is Alex Rodriguez the villain? Is it because he signed on as a part of the 'Evil Empire'? If people hate him because he's a Yankee, is that honestly fair to Alex as a baseball player?

In the end, ultimately everyone should agree in their heart of hearts that Alex Rodriguez has been doomed with an unfair shake in the media. If he hits 0.300, it's only due to the fact that good players were around him, if he doesn't, he was under too much pressure. The fans will never cease to analyze a man who makes as much money as A-rod. It will never end for Alex Rodriguez who is one of the best players in baseball.

So is all this talk of Alex, Alex, Alex bad for the game? In the end, yes it is. The media is beginning to ruin the integrity of baseball and this is just one example. At every turn of the hat, writers are publishing stories about how Barry Bonds is using steroids and Alex Rodriguez is the worst player to ever hit New York. Both are ludicrous, but yet the story never goes away. Ultimately, Major League Baseball has become a bad Jerry Springer episode that haunts fans and players alike.

Alex Rodriguez is good in that baseball fans are drawn to the controversy that the Rodriguez contract and New York situation creates. However, the Yankees are trying to win baseball games and the personal distraction for the players has to be taking a toll. In the end, asking yourself if A-rod is good for the game creates a mixed feeling because the acceptance of A-rod seems like a sell-out ,but the non-acceptance makes you seem like a fair-weather fan. After weighing the two, and deciding whether Alex Rodriguez is good for baseball, you come to understand that a MVP who is the youngest player to 400 homeruns, and has 470+ homeruns is a phenomenal. We should respect Alex, not heckle him. In the end, A-Rod is good for the game, because he's one of it's best player's ever, and that will never ever be taken from him.