"Long is the way...

by Travis G on Nov 6, 2009 8:15 AM EST

And hard, that out of hell leads up to light."

That's how it felt in 2001 and 2004. The way those seasons ended were the equivalent of baseball hell. An error and bloop single in the ninth inning of game seven in 2001... and of course the (in)famous and unprecedented collapse in 2004.

Because of those tragedies, the recently ended drought (eight years to the day, in fact, since game seven in 2001) seemed about twice as long.

Even the additions of Jason Giambi, Mike Mussina, Hideki Matsui, Gary Sheffield and Alex Rodriguez weren't enough. We had the best player in baseball and couldn't get it done. He couldn't get it done.

Then it got even worse for Alex. He had a messy divorce, hooked up with a crazy woman, and got exposed as a cheater. On top of all that, he received news that he might miss the whole 2009 season with a hip injury. It was his own personal hell.

No one could have predicted at the time, but that sequence of events was probably the best thing to ever happen to him.

When his PED usage came out and hip surgery sidelined him for a month, it seemingly allowed him to become 'care-free.' An A-Rod that once seemed to care what the fans and media thought of him all of a sudden didn't. Frankly, he seemed happier and more comfortable with himself. Whether that actually made him a better ballplayer is debatable, but from my own experience, I always work better when I feel comfortable - don't you?

As far as Kate Hudson goes, she seems like a sane, down-to-earth woman. A far cry from Madonna. (Quick aside: how cool would it be to have Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn as parents-in-law?)

The hip surgery went far better than anyone could have expected. A-Rod missed one month and was still able to compile 30 homers and 100 RBI. He even stole 14 bases! In fact, the surgery went so well that the additional surgery that was to happen this off-season may not be needed at all.

So thank you Selena Roberts, thank you Kate Hudson, and thank you Dr. Marc Philippon. We now live in a world where Alex Rodriguez has won the World Series.

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It also helped for him

to be surrounded by teammates, any one of whom could pick up the team on a given day. I’ve always had the impression that Alex puts a lot of pressure on himself to carry the team – something that’s impossible to do every day, even for him. This season, it seemed like there was a different hero every game. I think that he thrived with the spotlight not on him every game. He certainly seemed a lot more relaxed and comfortable, just happy to be a great player surrounded by great teammates. I was happy to see him finally earn a ring.

by django48 on Nov 6, 2009 9:13 AM EST reply actions

If you think about it, it's really a great story --

Very inspirational to me, personally. He’’s a changed man; you can tell from his play, and you can definitely tell from the interviews after Game 6. God Bless.

by Solomon96 on Nov 6, 2009 10:32 AM EST reply actions

kate hudson

“she seems like a sane, down-to-earth woman”

i wouldn’t be too sure about that. she did cheat on her husband with owen wilson. then she drove owen wilson to a suicide attempt. and she is dating a-rod. these are three big warning signs. so lets not pick out the silverware and china pattern on their wedding registry just yet. i also think she knew that if she pulled any nonsense with him this season she’d never be let into nyc again.

by Skinnyslim on Nov 6, 2009 11:33 AM EST reply actions

She looks like she definitely has the potential to be an insane person.

"It's only fun if you win, Skip." -- Me.

by Paul O'Neill on Nov 6, 2009 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

sure

but i was trying to make the comparison between her and Madonna. it’s all relative.

by Travis G on Nov 6, 2009 3:36 PM EST up reply actions

Personally,

I don’t care what Alex or any player does off the field but,
‘I always work better when I feel comfortable – don’t you?’
is a true statement. My Grandfather used to tell me: ‘If you like what you’re doing, you’ll be good at it and if you’re good at something, no matter what it is, you’ll make money.’
Money is of course a metaphor but the point is Alex could not perform his best with all the distractions. He may have liked playing ball but no way he liked the back page stories and all the booing. I can tell you first hand that divorce sucks even if you want it. It takes some time to move on and the fans that booed him hurt the team as much as the opponent. They became just another enemy.
Now that he has more support let’s hope for several monster years in the middle of a (repeat) championship lineup.

by Peter Lacock on Nov 6, 2009 1:19 PM EST reply actions

I want to see that smile on Alex's face more....

He has a great life….all the nay sayers could beat it…He only loves 2 things right about now…God…and Baseball….

I wouldnt be surprised if alex has a monster season next year…..Stress free, Beautiful girlfriend, he plays for the NYY’s, Great chemistry with his teammates, and a Ring…

It doesn’t get better unless your name is Derek Jeter…A-Rod is going to go nuts…

-Announcemen Forwarded To The Following: Boston Blowsox, New York Pets, Philadelphia Phonies, And Any Other Team Who Ain't The With The Empire.................

Getcha' Fuccin Rings Up........

by NYYWinsRings27 on Nov 6, 2009 10:16 PM EST reply actions