I wanted to share some photos from Spring Training 2001 – Alex Rodriguez had just signed a 10 year, $252 million free agent contract with the Texas Rangers – the pressure to live up to the “best player in baseball” moniker is, he says, the reason he turned to Performance Enhancing Drugs..
I spent about 20 minutes with him shooting a variety of photos – the interesting thing, to me, was his personality. I’ve photographed many famous people over the years, and for a variety of reasons, my time with Alex was memorable. Here are a few of my photographs from that day..
A portrait of Alex Rodriguez after signing a 10 year, $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers. ©2009 M David Leeds
A portrait of Alex Rodriguez by M David Leeds ©2009
A portrait of Alex Rodriguez by M David Leeds ©2009
Alex Rodriguez sits for a portrait by M David Leeds Photo by Paul Moseley
Meeting Alex that day in 2001, I was stuck by how soft spoken and gentle he seemed to be – while I’d photographed him many times previously while covering games, this was his first spring training in Florida and my first chance to shoot a portrait of him. He was surprisingly accommodating, and I somehow convinced him to let me make a second series of pictures outside.. I felt, to a certain extent, that he would have agreed to do anything he was asked and in hindsight I was sorry that I was prepared to only have 5 minutes, or less, of his time.
In any event, my point is, that he was (is) an easily likable and very approachable person – surprisingly friendly and tremendously more accommodating than many (most) of the “celebrities” of this day and age.. All of which makes it easy to root for him, and to wish him the best.
That being said, he continues to irk me (as a lifelong baseball fan) – prior to this PED scandal was unveiled by Selena Roberts for Sports Illustrated, he committed a number of acts, which to me were not in keeping with the history of the game – ALWAYS seeming to be trying too hard, struggling to live up to himself.. He is famous for primping and admiring himself in front of mirrors.. He is, at once, very self absorbed while at the same time seemingly without self confidence.
At the end of the day, I think that the steroid issue has permanently stained the game and the accomplishments of many players of the past 20 years – I am saddened that A-Rod will not be able to someday pass the records set recently by other tarnished stars and restore the stats to unquestioned numbers.
I hope that Bud Selig will be replaced as commissioner immediately (though I am not counting on it) as he has been the Enabler in Chief – allowing this to go on for far too long.
I think that from this day forward, regular testing of every professional athlete should be done on a frequent basis and the penalties for use should be extreme – up to and including permanent disqualification from the sport.
UPDATE: Ok, so A-Rod’s presser just began.. he’s sitting at a table along with Yankees GM Brian Cashman, and manager Joe Girardi – he was introduced by Yankees PR man Jason Zillo.. and, rather than standing up to read his statement.. he is remaining in his seat!! Common Alex, I’m sorry but I feel this is something that you should stand and be accountable for… Bad form, from the jump.
UPDATE: I just finnished watching this “press conference” and can’t help but wonder what I’m missing..
Yes, A-Rod was (a bit) more forthcoming then he had been during his interview with ESPN’s Peter Gammons. However, he introduced his “cousin” to the story – though he refused to identify this person who – according to Alex – had injected him regularly, for three years, even though he claims he didn’t know if it worked… SERIOUSLY??
I cannot possibly accept the idea that a man – arguably the greatest baseball talent of all time – who had just signed a 10 year $252 million dollar contract (paying him $25.2 million per year – not including endorsements) – would INJECT himself with a substance that he “didn’t know what it did” not “whether it worked or not” – for THREE YEARS??
The fact that the Yankees did not allow follow up questions is a JOKE.
They are aiding and abetting at best.
They thought that this little dog and pony show would put the matter to rest? PUH-LEASE!!!
I hope to see live coverage of A-Rod arriving tomorrow, thinking it’s back to baseball, only to be bombarded with questions. I can’t wait for his “cousin” to be located and questioned.. I can’t wait for another of A-Rod’s personalities to drop a shoe or two.. I can’t wait for his wife, turned ex-wife, turned side kick, Cynthia to get upset and decide to start talking…
It is yet another sad day to be a baseball fan.
Recent Comments