What also stood out is that A-Rod played the “poor-me” card, suggesting that people come down on him so hard because he makes so much money — half of which is being paid by the Rangers — and is so perfect in every way.

Then he tried the old misdirection play, wondering why he’s singled out, naming teammates who he thinks have gotten away unscathed by the fans and media.

"[Mike] Mussina doesn't get hammered at all," the story quotes him as saying. "He's making a boatload of money. Giambi's making [$20.4 million], which is fine and dandy, but it seems those guys get a pass. When people write [bad things] about me, I don't know if it's [because] I'm good-looking, I'm biracial, I make the most money, I play on the most popular team ..."

No, A-Rod, it’s because you’re consumed with yourself in a room of people consumed with their team. It’s because you won’t — or can’t — be one of the guys. It’s because you defend yourself by taking oblique shots at teammates.

I’ve written similar words to those in Sports Illustrated in the past, and I’ve heard volumes from A-Rod-ophiles who think I’ve been too hard on a man who would be a first-ballot Hall of Famer even if his career ended tomorrow. I don’t care about the money he makes. I do wonder when he’ll win his pinstripes in the cauldron of October.

It turns out his teammates feel the same way and they’re not afraid to say it at a time when they clearly feel it will either give their enigmatic teammate a kick in the pants or give him reason to sulk and disappear.

It’s a challenge to a superstar. As Giambi said, over the next five weeks, we’ll see how he responds.

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