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Griffey vs. A-Rod

Centerfield Jun 26 2007 01:24 PM

Something I've been meaning to mention but the server has been uncooperative... Did you guys see the reaction Griffey got from the Seattle fans? Big ceremony, old teammates, they did everything but retire his number. The fans ate it up, and Griffey addressed them with an awkward, "You guys are great, I really wish I could come back but I play for another team that pays me a ton of money" speech. Anyway, contrast that with the merciless boo-ing they give to A-Rod. Both players left on a sour note, but Griffey's was arguably worse. He put the Mariners in a bad spot forcing them to trade him to the team of his choice, and thereby undermining their ability to get value for him. On the other hand, A-Rod just left as a free agent. Does personality make that big a difference? Do they see Griffey as more noble because he took less money to go home? Or was it just because A-Rod came back as an opposing player right away, while Griffey was gone for 7 years?

Johnny Dickshot Jun 26 2007 01:27 PM

I think the perception that A-rod has no soul and Griffey does makes a difference. I mean, the fact.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 26 2007 01:29 PM

I think Griffey is probably just more likeable, although the seven years is probably a factor. His abilities aside, what have we seen of Alex Rodriguez that would make anyone like him?

Frayed Knot Jun 26 2007 01:43 PM

- Does personality make that big a difference? - Do they see Griffey as more noble because he took less money to go home? - Or was it just because A-Rod came back as an opposing player right away, while Griffey was gone for 7 years? Yes Yes Somewhat There were some scattered boos for Griffey on the first night, but maybe all the nice things he said made a difference by the end of the weekend. It might have also helped that his hitting didn't hurt them. He HR'd twice on Sunday but in a losing cause so it didn't matter. A-Rod just seems to have an almost stunning ability to rub almost everyone the wrong way and come off as a phony in the process. And the harder he tries to repair his image - and Lord does he try - the worse he makes it.

metirish Jun 26 2007 01:54 PM

Frayed Knot wrote: A-Rod just seems to have an almost stunning ability to rub almost everyone the wrong way and come off as a phony in the process. And the harder he tries to repair his image - and Lord does he try - the worse he makes it. That's it really right there....even when he saves a kid from possibly getting run over it's turned against him.....I wonder if that trade to Boston had been approved would things be different for him.

Nymr83 Jun 26 2007 02:18 PM

you're leaving out what i think is the biggest factor... Arod played for the division rival Rangers and then for the team everyone hates, Griffey went over to the other league. i think everyone in NY loves Edgardo Alfonzo still, but if he had gone and been a Brave for a few years (and good years) would that be the case?

cooby Jun 26 2007 02:21 PM

Once upon a time, when my daughter was a little girl, she was a Mariners fan, because of young and humble players Griffey, Randy Johnson, and Arod. Seems like a million years ago.

Edgy DC Jun 26 2007 02:32 PM

Griffey forced a trade by rejecting Seattle's contract. He went below market value, but they were compensated with professional players. A-Rod went as a free agent. God knows they got Griffey's best years, and Cincy's misfortune has maybe softened the blow. Alex still had many in front of him, though few enough have appreciated him. Griffey plays in the National League, and therefore hasn't augmented a rival's prospects. Griffey took less money to be a good son to his native city. Alex took more to become a product, and then broke the Rangers and became George's minion. Seattle may be the only people that care, but shortly after signing with Texas, Alex wrote a personal appeal to the CEO of Boeing encouraging them to move headquarters from Seattle to Dallas. Boeing eventually moved to Chicago. Could you imagine the reaction in Boston if Johnny Damon followed his defection to Yankees by trying to help lure Gilette or Fidelity Investment out of Boston and down to New York? Only scarcely could you.

Elster88 Jun 26 2007 03:05 PM

Edgy DC wrote: then broke the Rangers and became George's minion. This part didn't really go like that at all. All the rest though are true in my books.

Mr. Zero Jun 26 2007 03:18 PM

A-rods only shot at fan redemption will come when he closes in on the even more reviled Bond's home run record. So we still have a good seven or so years to hate him.

Elster88 Jun 26 2007 04:52 PM

Why do you hate him? Jealous?