A Case for A-Rod...(5 Reasons Alex Rodriguez doesn't deserve your crap)

If you follow sports with even a half-hearted attempt, you undoubtedly have heard about A-Rod's decision to opt-out of his current contract, and therefore, all but sealing his departure from the Yankees. Take it or leave it, in the end, anyone and everyone would make the same decision. here's a few reasons why I don't blame Alex Rodriguez for leaving the Yankees: 1) Joe Torre is gone. With Torre's ousting, it pretty much leaves a big ? over the whole system, which seems to be a good enough to get into the playoffs, but not good enough to win the whole thing. (free agency didn't win the Yankees WS even when they DID win.) 2) He'd always be "Robin" to Derek Jeter's "Batman". Say what you want, it'll always be Jeter's team. Not that there aren't more important things in sports, but respect was never given, especially in a place like New York. (which brings me to #3) 3) Playing in New York is overrated. Let's be honest, only in Baseball is playing in New York the "it" place. Even then, Ichiro is KING in Seattle and Jason Veritek is practically a saint in Boston. The player can make his place in the team's hometown. A-Rod will be a HOFer regardless of where he played, so... 4) I'm not convinced that $$$ is his only reason to leave. What motivation does A-Rod have to stay in NY? Even if he would win a WS, it would be seen as a check mark on his resume rather than something to be heralded like Mike Scioscia and the Angels or Ozzie Guillen and the White Sox. Besides Sometimes is just time to move on. That's the beauty of baseball. Free Agency allows you to move around until you find your niche. Case in point: Curt Schilling. I'm sure he really enjoyed his time in Arizona, where he pitched some of his best games, including World Series wins. As soon as he arrived in Boston, it just seemed right. 5) Get over yourselves. This last point is all about the jealous factor. What person in their right mind wouldn't take the opportunity to leave their current job at the top of their game with a 100% GUARANTEE that you're either A) going to be the richest person ever to be in your position. EVER. or, B) have such incredible leverage for "perks" that probably would include everything from free meals to free pet grooming and use of the company's private jet. Honestly, why wouldn't you choose to move on? So please, everyone just get over it. A-Rod is disliked because he makes an incredible amount of money, is unapologetic about his status in life, and has a bastard of an agent. So what? Any one of us would play their hand the same way...like doubling down on "11."