The A-Rod Saga: A-Rod & Jeter...

The A-Rod Saga, We Cover It So You Don’t Have to…

Well, as we are into a new week and yet closer to the 2007 season, the Yankees have made news once again.

Former friends, but current teammates, Derek Jeter and A-Rod, as well all know have had a big thaw in their relationship since A-Rod gave an infamous interview to Esquire Magazine several years ago.

From AP: Jeter, the Yankees' captain, has distanced himself since a 2001 Esquire article in which A-Rod said "Jeter's been blessed with great talent around him" and "he's never had to lead.”… "You go into New York, you wanna stop Bernie (Williams) and (Paul) O'Neill," A-Rod was quoted as saying. "You never say, 'Don't let Derek beat you.' He's never your concern."

Here’s what Alex said in response to reporters asking about the issue this morning:

More from the AP: "The reality is there's been a change in the relationship over 14 years and, hopefully, we can just put it behind us," Rodriguez said. "You go from sleeping over at somebody's house five days a week, and now you don't sleep over. It's just not that big of a deal."

And…

"I'm a big boy. I'm 31 years old now, so I should be able to help myself out there," he said. "I care about what he thinks about me on the field. I think it's important for us to be on the right page. And we are. We're here to win a championship together."

When he was first asked about Jeter, Rodriguez said this would be the only time he would address the topic.

"Let's make a contract: You don't ask me about Derek anymore, and I promise I'll stop lying to all you guys," A-Rod told reporters. (AP)

I’m just bewildered by this. I see this as a friend who pissed of his buddy years ago and the buddy won’t forgive him. However, the difference is that the tiff or perception of a friend was not plastered to millions of people and in print.

Sigh. A-Rod threw his buddy under the bus, he feels guilty and now the world wants to know you feel.

At this point, it’s too bad it came to all of this, but you really need to focus on baseball, instead of the never ending melodrama which is your life.

Sounds like he needs a hug.

* - image from photofile.com