Can someone explain to me what it means when they say that Alex Rodriguez would hurt the chemistry of the Red Sox? What exactly are you talking about, beyond vague references to this elusive "chemistry"?
The Oakland A's of the early '70s had horrible chemistry, with a clubhouse full of guys who despised each other and management. That group won three straight World Series. The 1986 Mets had plenty of infighting, and they won. And even the vaunted late 1990s version of the Yankees had plenty of clubhouse bickering and alleged "poor chemistry," but still won year after year.
So, how will A-Rod really hurt the Sox' chemistry? By hitting too many homers? Making too many plays in the field? I think you're all crazy not to want him, and would love to see a reasoned explanation - with facts instead of conjecture - about why it would be a bad move.
2007-11-05T09:20:51Z
If chemistry is so critical, why do so many with alleged poor chemistry win titles? Could it be that winning breeds chemistry?
2007-11-05T11:27:59Z
Kris - I agree, it's critical in sports like basketball and hockey. The Spurs are very talented, but they also have an amazing ability to play together.
Kris2007-11-05T11:23:54Z
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pink - explain to me how 54 home runs and 156 RBI wouldn't help a team. Just because you don't like him, doesn't mean he wouldn't help ANY team.
If you NEED to be convince, then you don't know as much about baseball as you think you do.
Craig - I agree with you on this - chemistry is overrated in baseball. It is VERY important in other games - in games where you need to play as a unit. Say basketball - where fast passes and knowing where your teammates are going to be greatly improves your chances of winning.
Chenistry is over-rated. I think that too many people are sure that Varitek will have a problem with him because they fought three years ago. The slapping of the glove four years ago...those are all things in the past, when a player comes to a team now they all look at what he can do for them not what he did do for someone else. I do not see Chemistry as a problem; when the A's in the early 90's were winning they hated each other, they all hated LaRussa until they won the Championship and yet they were highly successful. This year the RedSoc brought in Gagne, to build fires I think, but were still able to keep the team together enough to win a Championship, Drew has been labeled a franchise chemistry killer but they still won with him. I think signing A-Rod would give the Sox possibly the toughest line-up to pitch against in the past 40 years. They only have to get along for a few hours a day. The example of the Mariners is different, when those three left they also signed Ichiro who changed the dynamic of that team, they refocused on signing solid relief guys and changed the team altogether. Chemistry can be good for underacheiving teams that do not know any better but with a team like that they do not need chemistry, they just need a little pitching to keep the other team under 10! A-Rod to that line-up= best run support ever for a pitcher.
I'm not so sure "chemistry" would be the problem. You're right, many teams have won with lots of in-fighting. What I'm thinking is... giving him all that money would be the problem. The talent the Sox have at their current salaries are getting the job done. Some players might get the idea that since they've done it without A-Rod... they would be entitled to some hefty raises... and I agree. What would that do to the payroll? And then... what are the fans gonna think and say if they don't win? Kind of a Catch-22 situation. Remember, they can re-sign Mike Lowell a lot cheaper.
The only fact I can give you is the fact that A-Rod has never been to a World Series and I know that fact isn't much...he seems to be the perfect regular season player where he puts up great numbers for himself but in the post-season he just doesn't have that next gear...as for chemistry I just don't think he has the same mind-set and attitude as most of the guys that are currently part of the Red Sox...he is arguably the best player ever but I just don't see him fitting in with the current Red Sox team...as a Red Sox fan I would rather see Lowell at third (who may not be A-Rod with the bat but he is a much better feilding third baseman and he isn't that shabby at the plate either) and I would honestly give Lugo another shot at short...if A-Rod was willing to sign for like 18-20 mil a year to play short I might re-adjust my thinking because that would show an attitude adjustment but right now he seems (to me anyway) to be all about Alex and not really "lets win a World Series" which I see as bad for the current team chemistry.
Chemistry is not so much just about playing well together. Chemistry on the field makes baseball not just a game but an experience. Personally, I think Arod is very misunderstood. While, I am the first to admit that he has a bad attitude. you never see in the newspapers, about wanting to give money back, and the offer not being accepted. I would be happy to have Alex Rodriguez on my team but I would be very sad to see the chemistry my team has go down the drain because of him. I would not want Arod on my team, I would want Alex Rodriguez. They are two different people. And if he was able to conform to the stardom of everyone on the team equally, I would gladly take him on my team. But his superstar attitude, may intefere with those plans.