A-Rod Says 'Screw You' to History, Fans

Boy, they are going to come out of the woodwork on this one. After the comments my last article caused, this could get ugly.

But even Yankee fans should know what a bad move it is for A-Rod to skip the Home Run Derby.

Yankee Stadium. As a Red Sox fan, I hate the place, mostly because there are nothing but awful memories there. Game Seven of the 2003 ALCS is just the icing on the cake.

But despite this, I think Yankee Stadium is the most legendary sports stadium in America. Babe Ruth. Lou Gehrig. Joe DiMaggio. Mickey Mantle. Reggie Jackson. Yes, even A-Rod, your eventual all-time home run leader.

And in three months (hopefully shorter), we will say goodbye to this American icon.

It will host its final All-Star Game next week. A standard part of All-Star week is the home run derby. Despite the media's dislike of the event, fans enjoy it, and it is fun to watch, especially when Chris Berman isn't anywhere near it.

The stadium will be packed with Yankees fans, and what would be better for them than to have a hometown player in the home run derby?

Enter A-Rod. As the most prolific hitter of this generation, it was natural that he should be invited to any display of offensive power.

And what does A-Rod do? He says no, because he doesn't want it messing up his swing.

If that's not the biggest slap into the face of fans that I've ever seen, I'll eat my hat. Your swing? You don't want to mess it up?

Forget giving the fans something to cheer for. Forget the fact that for the first time, A-Rod would be getting genuine, enthusiastic applause from his home crowd every time he hit one out.

And you wonder why A-Rod is a jerk?

What on earth could be better than a Yankee winning the Home Run Derby at the last one in Yankee Stadium?

Apparently, saving his swing for the second half of his season. Never mind that in 2001, he was in the Home Run Derby, and hit 25 HRs in the first half of the season, and 27 HRs after the All-Star Break. His batting average went from .310 to .328.

In 2002, he was in the derby again, and he hit 27 HRs in the first half, 30 after the All-Star Break. Doesn't seem like it did too much damage.

I don't understand how anyone could be cool with what A-Rod is doing. Just another reason why he will never be likable.