Check Your Ego at the Door

I've had my share of frustrating and saddening moments as a Yankee fan. Never would you think you'd hear the words "Yankees" and "frustrating" in the same sentence from a fan. The ridiculous expectation of winning a World Series every year isn't from cockiness, it's embedded in our head. Part of the Yankee tradition is greatness; fans can't help their championship hopes. Of course 2001 was difficult. The timing of 9/11 and coming off of three straight titles, the story would've written itself. Losing to the Marlins in 2003 was a failure of epic proportions. And every year since acquiring A-Rod has been an asswhip. When you have arguably the greatest player in the game, you're supposed to win constantly.

But, Alex Rodriguez has always displayed his self-centered demeanor.
The frosted tips. Wanting his own personal clubhouse attendant. Jogging around Central Park shirtless in broad daylight. Showing up in downtown Manhattan for New Years with his wife, wearing a New York Yankees game cap...the same one he wears on the field. LIKE IF NO ONE KNEW WHAT TEAM HE PLAYED FOR! I'll admit it, seeing his fall from grace was comical and extremely satisfying. But now that he's gotten his championship, after hitting rock bottom with his divorce and steroid scandal, Mr. Rodriguez has started a new chapter in his career.

For the past two seasons, A-Rod has done a good job of being a fake teammate. Overusing phrases like, "We're playing good Yankee baseball." The guy didn't even know how to be part of the team, so how the hell could he say such a thing? But through the last half of last season, and already this season, you can sense a change in his swagger. Being more playful with the guys, enjoying the game of baseball more, and most importantly, being a leader and mentor to the young guys. Robinson Cano isn't an MVP candidate without the help of Rodriguez. Eduardo Nunez isn't an option to be a long-term replacement on the left side of the infield, without A-Rod taking him under his wing.

At 35 years old, Alex Rodriguez has learned to accept that he needed to grow up if he ever wants to taste consistent success and cement his legacy. The steroid scandal, the divorce, the Super Bowl popcorn incident, slapping Bronson Arroyo's glove, fighting with Jason Varitek, kissing himself in the mirror during a photoshoot, opting out of the biggest contract in MLB history in the middle of the World Series, only to sign an even BIGGER contract, hip surgery, and whatever else he's done that I can't remember at the moment. They all equaled to a more mature, more friendly and more focused A-Rod. The rest of the American League should take note: no one will stop Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez in 2011.