Alex Rodriguez is saying he might leave New York if Yankee fans don’t start rooting for him:
TAMPA, Fla., March 13 ? Alex Rodriguez tries to insist that he wants to remain in New York. But an option in his contract allows him to become a free agent after this season, and in a radio interview Tuesday, he threatened to invoke the option if the fans did not embrace him.
?It?s a do-or-die situation,? he told Mike Francesa and Chris Russo on WFAN. ?Either New York is going to kick me out of New York this year. …?
He did not finish the sentence because Russo interjected, but Rodriguez continued: ?Listen, at some point, either New York is going to say, ?I?ve had enough of this guy, get him the hell out of here? ? and we have an option ? or New York is going to say, ?Hey, we won a world championship, you had a big year, you?re a part of it, we want you back.? ?
Asked if he could see himself finishing his career with the Yankees, Rodriguez said: ?One hundred percent, that?s exactly what I want to do. But I also want to make sure from the fans and management, I?m wanted here. One hundred percent, my wife and I and my daughter, we want to stay here, we?re getting more comfortable in New York off the field, too.?
Fans haven’t embraced Rodriguez because there’s been an impression that he hasn’t lived up to his potential. That may or may not be true, but saying stuff like this is not going to endear him to Yankee fans.
On the other hand, if the Yankees win the World Series this year, everyone, including A-Rod, will be a hero.
