Len Berman, WNBC Sports Anchor
There were two totally unrelated stories that caught my attention on Tuesday. Forward Zach Randolph joined the New York Knicks and Cynthia Rodriguez, A-Rod’s wife, wore an obscene T-Shirt to one of his games at Yankee stadium.
First the Randolph story. It’s always deemed a “fresh start” when a troubled player lands with a new team. All the obligatory things are said. “Give the kid a chance.” “Let him prove myself.” Blah, blah blah.
Sure Randolph averaged double figures in points and rebounds, but his rap sheet also reached double figures for transgressions on and off the court. But before you get too cynical, remember another Knicks import, Latrell Sprewell? Nobody was more villified than he after choking his coach. And yet he became one of the most popular Knicks players. So in all fairness, give the kid a chance.
Now what about the brewing situation of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Rodriguez? How many chances do they get? How many times will one of them show up in the paper either doing or saying something dumb? Mrs. Rodriguez wore her T-shirt to the Stadium with an obscenity written on it. Her husband has graced the tabloids with all kinds of controversies on and off the field. Is it unfair? Are people out to get him because of all the money he makes? You tell me. When’s the last time Derek Jeter said or did something dumb? Uh, how about never?
Rodriguez has the option of leaving New York after this season. Maybe he should. And maybe here’s where the two stories are related. I think Randolph will be embraced by local fans long before A-Rod ever is. Rodriguez got a $200,000 bonus for making the All Star Game and for being the highest vote getter in the American League. That on top of his $27 million base salary for this season. That said, maybe he should go out and buy his wife some nicer shirts to wear.
