The A-Rod — Jeter relationship is an endless source of fascination for some. You would think that a teammate would want to be present at a major retirement ceremony if at all possible. But was A-Rod not invited and he is protecting the Yanks and Jeter by staying silent? Did he not want to distract from the festivities by his very presence? Or does he really not like #2 and showed his disdain by making up a phony excuse?
I suppose this will break into two groups, as usual. If you like Alex, you’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. If you don’t, you’ll castigate him for another crass act.
It’s sort of like the relationship on Billions with Axe and Chuck Rhoades. The series is now all about the damage they are doing to others because of their personal animosity. I don’t know that these baseball players’ travails rise to that level, but it would be better for the Yankees and the players’ extended families to kiss and make up. If indeed there is anything to make up about. Derek strikes me as someone who lives by the code: If you cross him once, you are permanently on his list.
Either way, does it really make a difference? John and Paul were tight, then they weren’t, then maybe they were. Their estrangement cost us a lot of great songs. With # 13 and #2, there was no future anyway. Someday, someone will write a book about their relationship, or maybe just an SI article.
~ May 16, 2017
