Gamesmanship and Poor Sportsmanship

When Alex Rodriguez slapped the baseball out of Bronson Arroyo's glove during the 2004 ALCS, he was ridiculed in every way imaginable. You've seen the Photoshop of him carrying a purse on the play, you've heard the derisive name calling, etc..

The first baseman on that play was A-Rod's old high school teammate Doug Mientkiewicz. Yesterday Mientkiewicz, now a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates, was on first base when a ground ball was hit to Cardinals second baseman Aaron Miles. To turn a quick double play, Miles attempted to tag Mientkiewicz on his way to second base. Mientkiewicz, in turn, slapped the ball out of Miles glove and reached base safely.

While Miles and his manager Tony LaRussa argued with all four umpires, who either didn't see the play or let it stand anyway, the Pirates' announcers exhorted the play as good gamesmanship (they also couldn't believe Mientkiewicz got away with it).

This continues to prove that A-Rod and the rest of major league baseball are treated differently. A-Rod makes most of his own drama, but in fairness, there is a double standard when he is involved in a play as compared to another player.

But wait, back to the Cards-Pirates game. Things got even better on the next play when Mientkiewicz was doubled off on a line drive to Miles. The two exchanged words and the benches emptied. Mientkiewicz's former Yankees teammate Ron Villone had to be held back by three teammates after Mientkiewicz said something to tick him off.

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Washburn Deal Dead

"It's dead," a source in touch with the Yankees and Mariners said late yesterday afternoon. "They want quality and want (the Yankees) to pay all the money, too. And that's not going to happen.

That's the news according to this morning's New York Post. The Yankees talks with the Mariners for Jarrod Washburn is, currently, dead in the water.

Could it change before Thursday? Sure. The Mariners are in a salary dump and a pitcher who is owed $10.35 million for next season and roughly $3.28 million for the remainder of this one doesn't fit into their long-range program.

Nevertheless, general manager Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner didn't paint a positive picture before their club was punished, 13-4, last night by the Orioles at Yankee Stadium.

"It's all cold right now," Cashman said a little after 6 p.m. "Anyone who thinks something is hot should check their sources. You are always a phone call away, but it's frigid out there."

It's complete and utter nonsense that the Mariners want a top prospect when the Yankees are willing to absorb what is owed to Washburn the rest of this season, plus pick up his contract of $10.9 million for next season.

Time to move on. Though that move won't be to Francesa's favorite boy, Bronson Arroyo. The Reds say they will not deal the right-hander, who stands to make $26 million over the next 2 years. Just as well, we can't stand him.

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