Dodging a bullet: The Red Sox and Alex Rodriguez


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When we talk about hindsight it’s usually in reference to a mistake or a negative consequence from an action. For the Red Sox, and their attempt to acquire A-Rod, it’s just the opposite. Ten years ago the Sox organization dodged a massive .50 caliber bullet when the MLBPA (Major League Baseball Players Association) vetoed a potential trade between the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox for shortstop Alex Rodriguez.

At the time the Red Sox faithful were irate: Adding fuel to our fire was the fact that the New York Yankees acquired the slugger the same year the MLBPA vetoed the previous Rangers/Red Sox trade. However if we knew then what we know now about the tenure of Alex Rodriguez in New York I’d like to think we’d rejoice at how the next ten years would look for the Evil Empire.  

But Scott, what about his two MVP seasons and the “gaudy” numbers he put up during his time in New York? Let me enlighten you for a moment. Someone get me some stats, please!

Alex Rodriguez (9 yrs. w/ NYY): 889 runs, 1366 hits, 302 HR, 960 RBI, .292 BA, .387 OBP, .538 SLG, .925 OPS, 1 World Series Championship.

David Ortiz (10 yrs. w/ BOS): 909 runs, 1470 hits, 343 HR, 1088 RBI, .290 BA, .389 OBP, .573 SLG, .962 OPS, 2 World Series Championships.

When comparing the two sluggers it's obvious that Ortiz, over the last 10 years, has out-shined baseball's former darling. Yet what you can't account for are the "clutch" hits, home runs and game tying/winning RBI in the regular and post-season. All of those "uncharted" stats point in favor of Ortiz as well. For A-Rod his notoriety has come in the form of off the field steroid allegations, tabloid hoopla and romantic celebrity associations - all of which do not provide the Yankees with any substantial on-field production. 

Now, amidst another steroid allegation against the ailing third baseman, A-Rod once again finds himself in the public spot light for the all the wrong reasons. And we, Red Sox Nation, have another front row seat as his reputation and baseball standing continues to unravel right before our very eyes. 

Oh what could have been if not for the MLBPA. All of this leads me to my final question: Why were we so mad 10 years ago?

Follow Scott Levesque on Twitter at @scottlevesque.