A-Rod's' Incentives Are Wrong
Rodriguez’s Contract illustrates Disingenuousness
Alex Rodriguez’s contract is merely another example of the disingenuousness that exists in society, and baseball is a reflection of society. Don’t pay Alex based on his home run totals, pay him on the historical milestones he achieves, which is clearly a violation of Major League Rule 3 (b) (5): No contract shall be approved "if it contains a bonus for playing, pitching or batting skill or if it provides for the payment of a bonus contingent on the standing of the signing club at the end of the championship season."
The Milestones Alex Must Reach
The historical milestones that Alex will be paid for reaching include Willie Mays’ 660 home runs, Babe Ruth’s 714 home runs, Henry Aaron’s 755 home runs, and Barry’s 762 home runs, but Alex will get a bonus if he ties Barry’s 762 and another bonus if he passes Barry’s total. There is no question that these are historical milestones, but the Yankees giving such bonuses to a player is against the rules. And what happens if Barry is found guilty of perjury and his records are expunged or simply not recognized? Does Alex lose his $12 million bonuses?
Power Makes It Allowable
Those in power decide not only the rules, but how the rules are interpreted. The public is told that the Yankees care so much about Alex and are so altruistic that they want Alex to share in the revenue his home runs will bring them. So what if they contravene the rules? What we are doing is legal because we have the power and we say it is allowed. Don’t you want poor Alex to share in the profits?
The Integrity of the Game: Denny McLain and Mickey Mantle
Nothing, fans are told, is more critical than the integrity of the game, but sometimes, it doesn’t matter. While not about performance bonuses, the Denny McLain-Mickey Mantle situation compromised the game’s integrity. On September 19, 1968, Mickey Mantle hit his 535th home run off McLain to pass Jimmy Foxx on the all time home run list. McLain “allegedly” asked catcher Jim Price to tell Mickey that he would see only fastballs. After the home run, Mickey tipped his cap to Denny as he rounded third base. When Joe Pepitone, the next batter, signal to McLain where he wanted the pitch, McLain threw at his head.
Honesty is an Absolute
The Tigers had a comfortable 6-1 lead in the eighth inning when Mickey was given a pitch he really liked, but what if the hit led to a rally that resulted in the Tigers and McLain losing? It didn’t happen, but McLain’s action strikes at the heart of the integrity of the game. Honesty is an absolute.
Alex Might Be in a Similar Situation
A few years from now, Alex Rodriguez may be in a similar situation. If he averages 40 home runs a season, he will be about 38 when he approaches 762 home runs, a number that is highly unlikely to change. When Alex is at the plate in quest of his 762nd home run, will a modern Denny McLain tip Alex off about the pitch? What if the pitcher is a borderline player who thinks if he gives up the home run he and Alex can become the modern Ralph Branca and Bobby Thomson team, charging fans for autographs at memorabilia shows?
Anything That Affects the Integrity of the Game Negatively Cannot Be Allowed
Whether it is performance bonuses, grooving pitches, or betting on games, anything that gives even an inkling of affecting the game’s integrity cannot be allowed. In the Alex Rodriguez situation, those in charge of the game have given such a situation their blessing. Think of that the next time you don’t fall asleep easily because your favorite pitcher gave up a game winning home run.
References:
Durso, Joseph. "McLain Wins No. 31 Despite Mantle's 535th Career Homer." New York Times. 20 September 1968, p. 55.
Daley, Arthur. "Sports of the Times: A Question of Propriety." New York Times. 25 September 1968, p. 50.
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