My last cup talked about the apparent attempt by the media to run A-Rod out of town.  The New York Post has apparently made that its mission.  The coverage of A-Rod outside of the ballpark was outrageous and uncalled for.  Yet A-Rod continues to perform, all while Jeter’s failures slip by unnoticed.

Jeter, in case you haven’t noticed is in an 0-10 slide and is 6 for his last 40 (.150).  He hit into 3 Double Plays in the Boston series, made critical errors and has looked bad in the field.  But not a bad word about him.  Where are the “Jeter’s not clutch” comments?  Where are the “Derek JEEEEEEEEEEETER” headlines (that’s 11 E’s in case you are counting)?  Where are the Jeter critics?  Not that I think they are deserved, but I mention it because the attacks on A-Rod are just plain dumb. 

Despite winning the game on Sunday with a Home Run off of one of the toughest closers is in the Post again today under the headline “Worried Joe May Rest Weary A-Rod“.  The article says Torre is considering using A-Rod as a DH or giving him a day off because “He has a lot on his plate and that will be a concern to me until I see him relax and be able to enjoy it more.”  The article then rehashes the Stray-Rod story and the Blue Jays “Ha” play mentioning the “bush league” comment yet again.  “Until Sunday night, when A-Rod went 2 for 5 with two RBIs and crushed the game winning homer off of . . . Paplebon . . .A-Rod was in a 2-12 (.167) slide since the latest controversies started swirling around the lightning rod for criticism.” 

[Personally, I love that the 2-12 slide is mentioned. That was from Wednesday through Saturday.   A-rod had 4 walks in that period an OBP of .375.  Over the same period, Jeter was 3-17 (.176) with 1 walk (.222 OBP).  If you exclude Saturday, Jeter was 1-12 (.083) with one walk (.153 OBP). But where is the Jeter slide mentioned?  Where is the fact that Jeter's batting average has dropped almost 40 points in 12 days?  It just doesn't happen.] 

Torre then had these wonderful words of support for A-Rod….

“I am sure there are a lot of emotions running through him,” Torre said. “There is nothing we can help him with other than be on his side as far as wearing the same uniform. It’s just some of the tough things you have to deal with. Nobody is going to sympathize with him and we don’t either. We just know this is one of those tough times and he has to deal with it. He is not having as much fun as he did earlier.”

Great job standing behind your player Joe.  “There is nothing we can help him with”, “Nobody is going to sympathize with him and we don’t either.”   Torre is supposed strength is managing the egos.  He again has hung A-Rod out to dry and now is thinking about taking his best player out of the lineup.

[Remember: Torre didn't back A-Rod on the "Ha" play either.  He had comments like. "They were angry - Oh, there's no question.  I can't say I blame them, but what are you going to do about it? - It's probably something he shouldn't have done.  I don't sense he's going to do it again." Great Job Joe.  Take the competitiveness out of your best player.]

This circus continues while Torre’s teacher’s pet, Jeter, is stinking up the joint at the plate and in the field.  Maybe Jeter needs the rest Joe.  Ever think of that.

ESPN’s take on the NY Post’s obsession with A-Rod.

Not that far off.