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After last night’s loss in Boston, the Yankees are sitting in third place in the AL East at 8-9, four games back of the Red Sox. I heard someone the other day remarking how without Alex Rodriguez and his walk-off blasts, the Yankees would be 6-11 and in last in the division.

I don’t buy that. You know why? Because without A-Rod, the Yankees would be 17-0. I’ve heard for years from Yankees fans that Ol’ Purple Lips was the root of all their problems, despite his massive numbers and MVP award during his time in the Bronx. Suddenly after three weeks, A-Rod is off the hook after dragging down the proud franchise into the depths of first-round exits from the playoffs? Not in my view.

I don’t blame the injuries to the pitching staff and its lack of quality fill-ins. I don’t blame Joe Torre’s strange penchant for putting Melky Cabrera at the top of the order when Johnny Damon is hurt. I don’t blame Brian Cashman for putting together a bullpen that features Luis Vizcaino as the most reliable setup guy. I don’t blame Mariano Rivera for blowing more saves than Lindsay Lohan blows key grips on movie sets. Derek Jeter’s hitting barely over .200 with RISP, but heck, he’s got intangibles, people.

It’s A-Rod’s fault. Sure he’s having the best April in baseball history, but if the Yankees are losing, it has to be his fault, doesn’t it? How can millions of fat guys wearing skin-tight Jeter t-shirt jerseys be wrong all these years?

All kidding aside, if the Yankees are still scuffling three weeks from now, say they’re 18-19, and A-Rod is in the midst of a 1-for-15 slump, will you really be surprised when he starts getting booed at Yankee Stadium again? Yankees fans are some of greatest in sports I tell ya.

Have A Great Summer,

Dave Lozo