Carmelo Anthony On Alex Rodriguez's Benching: 'I Can't Imagine That'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Alex Rodriguez just concluded a nightmarish postseason for the New York Yankees, going 3-for-25 with 12 strikeouts.
He was benched three times in the playoffs -- including in the final two games of the American League Championship Series -- and came in as a pinch-hitter in the Yankees' elimination game, going 0-for-2 in what may have been the final at-bats of his Yankees career.
The 14-time All-Star voiced his frustrations about being benched, admitting that he wasn't pleased with manager Joe Girardi's decisions to sit him.
"I'm obviously not doing somersaults," Rodriguez said during the series. "I'm not happy about it. Obviously you come to the ballpark feeling that you can help the team win, and when you see your name is not in the lineup you're obviously disappointed. You've got to just shift to being a cheerleader and also make sure that you're ready when your number is called."
That was the extent of A-Rod's complaints. He acknowledged that he'd prefer to be playing as opposed to not playing. Many would argue that one of the greatest players of all time exemplified a tremendous amount of restraint in that situaton.
His fellow New York professional athlete, Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony, would not handle the benching as well.
"I can't imagine that," Anthony told Newsday. "I can't imagine that."
When the Yankees played the Orioles in the American League Division Series, the NBA superstar openly rooted for the Orioles over the Yankees. But when New York ousted Baltimore, the former first-round pick said he "jumped ship" and began rooting for the Bombers.
"I just feel bad for A-Rod, man," Anthony said. "I don't like to see nobody go through that. It's tough."
Anthony likely won't have to worry about being benched anytime in the near future, but A-Rod's status in the Bronx remains uncertain, as he'll likely be the target of trade rumors throughout the offseason.
Kobe Bryant backs A-Rod, and now Melo? Offer your thoughts and comments in the section below...
