Keller @ Large: When Is Success Actually Failure?
BOSTON (CBS) - In the saga of Alex Rodriguez, the disgraced baseball star who has been banned from playing this year for violating drug rules, there's an important message for parents – don't let your kids aspire to be like Alex.
Listen to Jon's commentary:
This won't be easy, because Rodriguez is a living symbol of success the way our culture tends to define it.
He is handsome, rich, talented, rich, accomplished, and did I mention rich?
His accomplishments should earn him acknowledgement as one of, if not the, greatest baseball players of all time. Instead, he'll be remembered by most as a big-time loser and, in a nickname given him by his Yankee teammates, A-Fraud.
Where did Rodrgiquez go wrong?
For starters, an obsession with money that led him to sign a contract right out of high school instead of going to college, a move he reportedly has always regretted.
During his career, an out-of-control ego has repeatedly estranged him from teammates and fans.
Married at an age, 27, when you might be expected to have your personal values in order, his alleged infidelity broke up his marriage right after his second daughter was born.
Yes, Rodriguez is wealthy, has a house full of trophies, and can now freely cheat on his romantic relationships.
But this does not appear to be the heaven on earth you might imagine.
Reviled by the public, he is unlikely to turn that around now that he's become that least-likable of sights, an egomaniac multi-millionaire whining about how everyone's conspiring against him.
Riddle time: when is success actually failure?
Answer: when you grow up to be an A-Rod.
You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.