You Gotta Forgive to Forget

If you were to take the life of Jesus Christ and put it on a DVD, you'd hear all about this guy who was around for the better part of 30+ years and he performed miracles and things people had never seen before, yet he constantly drew criticism and jealousy from people in almost every city he ever set foot in. Of course, most of the us know how the story ends... graphically, he was crucified and made a martyr and a mockery during his final lasting minutes, but when he was no longer a part of the living Earth, some still felt the good riddance and a select few wept because they knew they'd seen someone that wasn't average... someone that was going to make a difference when he entered and left. So, "What's your point, Joe?" I'd be quite the rediculous person to say that Alex Rodriguez is baseball what Jesus Christ was to the water-to-wine game, but you can't ignore the parallels.

"I thought he was our last savior," - Hall of Famer, George Brett

A-Rod was supposed to be the savior. He was supposed to rescue this poor national pastime, that has been tainted and mocked with allegations of almost every superstar that has played in the last 20 years: Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa, Roger Clemens and of course, the alpha target, Barry Bonds. All these players have been tippy-toeing and locked up in federal allogations of purgery for lying to everyone and their mother. Alex was supposed to be the One... the greatest player to ever step on ANY baseball field. Major league baseball, fans, media and the game were all relying on Alex to carry on with his pace of hitting home runs and winning MVP awards so that we could all forget what has tainted the water. The 800lb. gorilla that keeps sitting in the room; the steroids topic that never seems to die down because SOMEONE new always gets uncovered. Today, Alex was that guy. Sadly, everyone had to look down and cringe because they knew that all that was pure and right with beliving in A-Rod was a lie.

But unlike the rest of the muscled bandits, he's the only one that has come out and said "I did it. I made a mistake." Does it justify that he cheated like the rest of them? No. Does it make his accomplishments seem altered? Possibly. But for the 33-year old infielder, he's able to do two things: 1. Allow the fans to get it out of their system. Some will not forget this admittance, some will, but if people want to still believe there's a chance at redemption, then there is. 2. His greatest missing jewel is a World Championship with any team he's ever played on. The Yankees are locked and LOADED with the best team they've had on paper in the last 10 years this spring, along with a new bazillion dollar stadium waiting to break the seal. If he can help deliver a title to New York for the first time this decade, then the hangover can be absorbed and he'll be drinking champaigne and smokin' cigars.

Ironically, those are only drugs that every baseball player wants to test positive for come October.