Tyler Kepner's Fictional A-Rod

Tyler Kepner's article today is a classic case of a writer spinning facts to fit a preconceived storyline.

Kepner makes this assertion:

   "Rodriguez did not directly answer when asked if he were unhappy with Girardi."

He then quotes A-Rod's response to the question:

  "It’s never about Joe. I always have to look in the mirror and do what I can do to do the best I can."

Even by the low standards to which I hold the Yankee beat writers, this is truly bizarre. A-Rod says in the plainest English that he takes responsibility for his performance, and does not blame Girardi. But Kepner spins this as merely an evasive answer.


But I was expecting this type of A-Rod-hating BS, because the article makes clear from the very beginning that Kepner is just going to ignore whatever A-Rod says. What I mean is that the article begins with this quote from A-Rod:

   "I keep telling you guys this is not a story about one person."

Kepner's very next sentence is this, which spins A-Rod's answer as being dishonest:

   "As usual, there was both truth and fiction in Rodriguez’s words."

The reality is that A-Rod has behaved like the consummate team player - he hasn't complained or made an issue out of it, he hasn't sulked, or done any of the things we've often see player say and do when pinch-hit for or benched. A-Rod no doubt feels some pain; but he clearly has decided he will wait for an opportunity to let his bat do some talking, which is the best attitude a player can have in such situations.

But instead of giving A-Rod credit - or at least letting A-Rod's words speak for themselves sans distortion - Kepner felt the need to call A-Rod an evasive phony who probably is nursing a deep personal grudge against Girardi.