Think about who Alex Rodriguez was at this time last year. On the weekend before spring training opened, he was exposed by Sports Illustrated as a steroid cheat.
His already low likeability level sank further. His reputation and career achievements were soiled. His very career would soon be in jeopardy with the revelation of a hip injury that would necessitate surgery.
Yet a year later, as the final weekend before spring training 2010 begins, the Mets should seriously be thinking of making Rodriguez their patron saint.
Because the anniversary of his steroid revelation, Feb. 7, already has come and gone with little to no acknowledgement. Just 12 months ago that would have been inconceivable. Back then this was the biggest story in, at the least, sports. Yet now it is not forgotten as much as it is in the irrelevant bin. Rodriguez actually is more beloved by Yankees fans than ever before and, in general, is viewed more positively than at any time since he was traded to New York.
Some of that has to do with Rodriguez offering a more appealing version of himself in public. He essentially talked less and when he did open his mouth he stuck to bromides about loving the game and caring only about a championship, not personal accomplishment. But Rodriguez’s improved image is mostly about finally winning a championship, and playing spectacularly in the postseason.
HUGHES PLANS FIGHT FOR FIFTH SPOT
Look, it is a different column in which we could discuss the misplaced importance we place on winning in this culture, but it is hard to ignore that we do. It is the great whitewash of our society. Just look how Kobe Bryant has navigated from charges of sexual assault and being the worst teammate in the NBA back into the good graces of Madison Avenue and the league. He has the feel of an elder statesman now.
Like A-Rod, some of that has to do with prettying up his attitude for public consumption. But mainly it was about that NBA title he won, sans Shaq, last spring.
Tiger Woods will soon go on his mea culpa tour with Oprah or Barbara Walters or Larry King. But that is just the practice range. Public salvation lies in Augusta. Win the Masters or another major and Tiger will win back most of America. Again, it is sad but true. Winning is the magic elixir.
And that is why the Mets should take A-Rod as their patron saint. This is an organization that is particularly sensitive to media/fan criticism. But as badly as the Mets want to change their perception as miserly and bumbling, they can’t. Not today. However, Rodriguez is the symbol that a year from now we don’t have to be talking about Madoff or choking, inept roster decisions or cheapness, medical faux pas or overbearing ownership.
The Mets are not going to change our minds with statements.
The wonderful thing about sports is that every year you get a do over, another chance to rewrite a legacy.
For now the doubt about the Mets is thick. They were dedicated to improve their medical malfeasance, and yet ended up fighting with Carlos Beltran about his surgery. They insist they have no money problems, but clamped shut the financial spigot after signing Jason Bay. They claim to love their current roster after spending much of the winter insisting they had to improve in several areas they never really addressed.
The Mets say they know what they are doing and they have a contender rededicated to distancing themselves from the humiliation of 2009. Can they change the story? Well, at this time last year, A-Rod was far more humiliated than anything the Mets endured at their injury-ravaged worse. And a year later he is arguably at the best place of his major league career.
We can give the Mets a lot of advice how to get to that same place. But here is the best one:
Just win, baby.