The Curse of Matsui.

Mark Feisand is forced to explain to so-called Yankee fans why holding on to the AL MVP is a good idea:

"As for trading him, I don't know why the Yankees would ever consider that. And if they did, it wouldn't matter, as he has a no-trade clause. I'm surprised at the number of e-mails I received saying that the Yanks should trade A-Rod. The 'What have you done for me lately?' attitude is overwhelming."


Can so-called Yankee fans truly be that ignorant? Feisand provides a small sample from his e-mail inbox, which is probably a representative sample:

"I believe the Yankees have a curse now, and it is called Alex Rodriguez. Since Alex has been with the team, they have seriously faltered in the playoffs. He is 4-for-32 in his last 9 playoff games and has not performed in the clutch. What is your take on A-Rod's inability to perform when it really counts? Also, would the Yankees be better off trading him for pitching, if that is a possibility? His contract is insane, and he is falling well short of expectations. -- Tony W.

I do not believe Alex Rodriguez should be named MVP this year. Until he can improve his performance in the postseason, he should be overlooked. Has he ever come through when the Yanks really needed him? -- Russ J., Melbourne, Fl."

Feisand dignifies the question by pointing out that there's no curse:

"For starters, there is no curse. Five years without a title can hardly be considered a curse when you think about all of the franchises out there that have never won or have not won for many years."

There's also no green cheese on the moon and Mikey from the Life cereal commercial didn't die from eating pop rocks after drinking soda pop.


But there's an even more fundamental error in the logic of the esteemed Tony W.

The Yankees have "seriously faltered" in the playoffs for five straight seasons. Alex Rodriguez has only been with the team for the last two.

I reckon Tony W. is quite the thinkin' feller. Before the Curse of ARod, it was the Curse of Tino. (Or maybe even Mike Lupica's quizzical Curse of the Bam-Boonie.) But now that Tino is back on the team and the Yankees still "faltered in the playoffs," it must be the Curse of Something Else.


Dear Tony W. and Russ J.:

Has Alex Rodriguez ever come through when the Yanks really needed him? Yes.

Has he been clutch? Yes.

Has he performed when it really counts? Yes.

Should the Yankees trade him for pitching? Ummm, no.

I have one more rule of conduct for you two so-called fans: You don't get to cheer when ARod goes deep three times in a World Serires game.

Also, please stop calling talk radio and asking why the Yankees "traded" Andy Pettitte.