A-Rod and Marlins: A match made in heaven ... but not really
A-Rod is saying a final goodbye to his playing days this weekend -- or is it just an unwanted sayonara to the New York Yankees?
We can pretty much agree the slugger was forced into this situation from the Bronx Bombers' front office, and although that "special adviser" title would look pretty darn nifty on a pinstriped business card, the 41-year-old is more interested in one last chase.
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Sitting on 696 home runs, Rodriguez has been linked to rumors of suiting up for the 2017 season with the Miami Marlins -- mostly because it's his hometown and, more importantly, his thirst for adoration and personal achievement are the only aspects of his baseball career that haven't faded.
He even looks good in the Marlins uniform, right?
"As far as 700 (home runs), or any of those type of milestones, I would have had an unbelievable, fun time going after them," he said in the emotional, highly magnified press conference at Yankee Stadium this week.
Yes, he wants it. Bad. It's who A-Rod is, a fierce competitor whose character has shown us that his love for the game (and accolades) trumps everything in his world.
As for actual evidence that this rumor could become a reality, look no further than an interesting Forbes article which makes a convincing argument:
Signing with the Marlins would grant Rodriguez the adulation he craves and also help the team at the gate. With just 18 home runs to go before he surpasses Babe Ruth for third on the all-time list, the Marlins could market their 2017 campaign around A-Rod's pursuit of history –– much like they've sold tickets hyping Ichiro's quest for 3,000 hits.
Erratic Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has also shown a penchant for taking on disgraced ex-sluggers. The team hired Barry Bonds to be its hitting coach, which could make playing in Miami even more attractive to A-Rod. He worked out with Bonds last year, and went on to club at least 30 home runs for the first time since 2010.
Would signing with Miami be the best thing for him, though? He'll be older, in a league without a designated hitter and susceptible to being cut unceremoniously. Sounds pretty ugly to us.
It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. Love him or hate him, tip your hat on Friday night. It will (most likely) be the last time we see this legend on the field again.
