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| The Rodriguez fans despise |
Yet it has been just over a decade (the Yankees' first ball game after the World Trade Towers incident of
Sept. 11, 2001 was in Chicago against the White Sox) since anyone nationally was paying attention to the activity at U.S. Cellular Field just because of the presence of the Bronx Bombers.
THE
YANKEES ARE in town this week for a three-game series beginning Monday against the
Chicago White Sox. Our city’s Sox are struggling to avoid 100 losses, while the
Yanks are coping with severe injuries to so many key players that it’s a wonder
they have a winning record these days.
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| The Rodriguez fans used to love |
But
the reason the Yankees’ arrival in town is a big deal is because of the third
baseman Alex Rodriguez – who has been one of the injured. He has yet to play a
single game for the Yankees this season. Although in recent days, he has been
undergoing minor league therapy in Trenton, N.J., and theoretically could play
his first major league game on Monday.
Which
could mean the White Sox faithful (along with the Midwestern-based Yankees fans
who make their one visit to “the Cell” when they come to town) will get to see
Rodriguez – and heckle him unmercifully.
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| Do Yankees fans want to crop him out? |
We
could be treated to the spectacle this week (my brother, Chris, and I will be
at the stadium for Tuesday’s game) of Chicago showing its contempt for
Rodriguez at its most intense level.
THEN
AGAIN, MAYBE we won’t.
Because
Rodriguez is one of a few ballplayers who are suspected of using certain chemical
substances to enhance their strength and make themselves appear to be better
ballplayers than they would otherwise be.
But
officials say that Rodriguez’ involvement, and efforts to cover up, may be at a
higher level. Which is why the speculation is that Rodriguez will be suspended
on Monday for the remainder of 2013 and the entire 2014 season.
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| The beginning of the big-money era |
If
it turns out that Rodriguez is able to play on Monday (the speculation Sunday is that he will appeal his penalty, and will be allowed to play while the appeal is pending), he’s in for a hellish
experience. Although I suspect even if he’s not able to play, the fans who turn
out on Monday (and to lesser levels Tuesday and Wednesday) will make their
level of contempt known.
THERE’S
NO WAY to shut up a sports fan who feels compelled to boo and razz someone!
I’ll
be honest. When I’m at the ballgame, I’m probably going to be more focused on
the level of intensity expressed against Rodriguez than I will be on the game
itself.
The
Yankees may be able to boost their quality of play this month and next and
still qualify for a playoff spot (that’s more likely than the White Sox being
able to turn 2013 into a season with a winning record). But it likely is a “lost”
season for both ball clubs.
The
heckling level will be more memorable than the game itself. Although
considering it will be the first ballgame I’ve made it out to this season, it
will still be a pleasurable experience just for being live baseball.
SO
THE YANKS are coming. Oft-injured shortstop Derek Jeter is likely to be in the
lineup on Monday – after having sat out a weekend series against the San Diego
Padres. We’ll get to see former Chicago Cub Alfonso Soriano, who is trying to
show that his Cub-like quality of play was a fluke. A victory or two this week would be the highlight of the White Sox' season!
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| Coming back to the old neighborhood |
Although
the most memorable thing may well be center fielder Curtis “C.J.” Granderson –
a Chicago-area native who plays for New York, but plans to spend some time this
week with kids in suburban Lansing and Lynwood just to promote their interest
in baseball as a game.
Considering
how much of the contempt level felt by baseball fans for Rodriguez is because
of his record-setting contract, it is nice to see at least one ballplayer who hasn’t
forgotten where he comes from and is willing to give something back to his home
community.
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