The Alex Rodriguez story is getting very strange, emotional and features a lot of yelling. It is becoming a parody of itself and yet impossible to take your eyes off of it.
In other words, this saga is turning into an Al Pacino performance!
Everything about this is Pacino-like, right down to remembering how brilliant Rodriguez used to be and how overblown he has become.
A-Rod has been climbing up the Pacino emotional scale and he is getting close to the scenery chewing top.
This is the step by step journey Alex has taken while finding his inner Al over the years.
HOO-AH!
In 2009, A-Rod was Godfather Al Pacino
Calmly, cooly and methodically, Rodriguez answered his critics and vanquished his enemies. His reputation as a choke artist in the playoffs was destroyed by a three round tour de force. He clobbered six homers, two of them game tying shots with the Yankees down to the final three outs in a game. He led the Yankees to the World Series title and earned the elusive ring.
Like Michael taking care of business at the Baptism, A-Rod settled all family business and consolidated power. But also like the Corleone family, his problems were just beginning.
With Anthony Bosch, A-Rod was Glengarry Glen Ross Al Pacino
Rodriguez’s connection with Biogenesis’ founder Bosch would lead to his downfall, and he must have known that. When Bosch needed money, he came back to A-Rod who said no.
No doubt the confrontation was similar to Pacino demolishing Kevin Spacey. “You are here to HELP US! NOT to F*CK US UP!”
Facing a suspension from Bud Selig, A-Rod was Dog Day Afternoon Al Pacino
While rehabbing in Trenton, A-Rod learns that Selig might come down even harder on him if he tried to appeal. Rodriguez replies by pushing back, saying that lots of forces are working against him. It was a stand off similar to Pacino and Charles Durning in front of the bank. With fans in Trenton cheering, A-Rod did everything but scream “Attica!”
Sitting listening to testimony against him, A-Rod was Phil Spector Al Pacino.
He didn’t say much. But it was fascinating to watch him react to the spectacle.
When Selig did not testify, A-Rod was Scent of a Woman Al Pacino
With his lawyer bombing on national TV and public sentiment against him, Rodriguez filed his appeal for his bizarre 211 game suspension. During the arbitration hearings, Selig did not show and it was clear that Rodriguez’s case was slim. A-Rod spoke out with a few choice words and basically called the proceedings a farce.
If he was ever asked “are you finished?”, no doubt he would reply “I’m just getting warmed up!”
He went to Mike Francesa’s WFAN show shortly afterwards to plead his case. With Mike mumbling and drinking his Diet Coke, Rodriguez slammed the proceedings and practically slammed the table yelling “I’d have taken a FLAME THROWER TO THIS PLACE!”
And people began to wonder if, like Pacino’s character, A-Rod could no longer see what he was doing.
Post 162 Game Suspension, A-Rod was And Justice For All Al Pacino
Now with a new 162 game suspension, A-Rod has all but snapped his cap. When the ruling came about, he has pointed his finger, blaming Cashman, the Yankees, Bud Selig and now even the Players Association.
“You’re out of order! You’re out of order! All of baseball is out of order!”
He has has yet to reach the full Scarface Al Pacino… but he is getting there.
He is surrounded. He has no allies anymore. Maybe he has already stuck his nose in a gigantic pile of HGH. Everyone is out to get him.
And he is one slight push away from screaming “Say Hello To My Little Friend!” If he is going down, he is going to take everyone down with him. The Steinbrenners? Brian Cashman? Tony Clark? Bud Selig? He will take them all down. He has his aim fixed on David Ortiz and the late Michael Weiner.
What does he care? Alex Rodriguez is destined to go down in a blaze of glory and fall into a pool with a gigantic statue reading “The World Is Yours” above him.
And then eventually there will be only one place left for him to go…
He will become Jack and Jill Al Pacino.
Doing a strange Dunkin’ Donuts scene and having everyone shake their head thinking “What the hell happened to this guy who was so great?”
I did not think I would write a piece about A-Rod on this blog. But just when I thought I was out, he PULLED ME BACK IN.
Please enjoy Pacino at his most memorable. (Not safe for work.)
Photos: Paramount Pictures, Zoetrope Studios, Warner Bros. Universal Pictures, Columbia Pictures, New Line Cinema, HBO, Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
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