One of these things is not like the other.

I could probably instantly come up with better choices at every position, though Steve Trout is certainly the ultimate example of a New York Meltdown. I think Trout set the record for wild pitches in an inning.

Most of the list leaves me cold. Most of the bad NY players are bad players everywhere else. I am not convinced, for example, that Tony Womack tanked in NY because of pressure. Womack hasn't exactly been lighting it up in his post-Yankee career.

As with every other baseball article written in 2006, it boils down to a mischaracterization of ARod.

The lunacy that surrounds the ARod discussion is evidenced by the fact that he's on this list in the first place. It's actually almost impossible to believe what John Rolfe has to say about ARod. Rolfe crams about fifty misconceptions into one paragraph:

"SS: Alex Rodriguez: Yes, his reign of error is taking place at third base, but he's a shortstop by trade. It is there that the snowball began to grow in 2001 with his signing that 10-year, $252 million deal with the Rangers. Along with justifying the dough and recognition as the game's best all-around player, A-Rod has had to contend with the fact that teams tend to improve after he leaves (Seattle, Texas). It didn't help that he arrived in the Bronx in time to be a focal point of the Yankees' catastrophic collapse in the 2004 ALCS. His 2005 AL MVP season aside, nothing less than a Series crown can save him now, so is it any wonder he looks so uncomfortable out there? Imagine what he'd be hearing if the Yankees were in Boston's present hole in the AL East."

First of all, ARod is a third baseman for the Yankees. This is supposedly a list of people who have suffered in New York. Rolfe's disclaimer aside, it makes no sense to list ARod at shortstop. Especially since there are about 100 shortstops who tanked in New York.

(The obvious choice at third base is Lenn Sakata, who suddenly developed a mystery stomach ailment whenever Bucky Dent asked him to play third base. Sakata made Gregg Jefferies look like Mike Schmidt.)

Secondly, this "snowball" couldn't have started in 2001. ARod has won two MVPs since 2001. ARod's numbers since 2001 are first ballot Hall of Fame all the way, even though he has struggled for a major portion of 2006.

Thirdly, Seattle is now in last place. If they improved for a while after ARod left (and Unit, and Griffey) , it's because they went to Japan and paid a lot of money for the AL MVP. They also added pitching. Just like Texas added pitching. ARod doesn't pitch. Those teams sure didn't lose because of ARod.

Now, ponder the italicized words for a moment: "His 2005 AL MVP season aside ..."

Think about that verbal sleight of hand. "ARod's 2005 AL MVP season aside." Neat trick.

I say, his June 2006 and August 2006 aside, ARod is the best third baseman in Yankee history.

Actually, even if you include his June 2006 and August 2006, he's the best third baseman in Yankee history.

You're just going to ignore an entire 2005 AL MVP season. You're just going to ignore .321 48 130.

It all happened just one season ago and it was all historic and John Rolfe just wants to cast it aside because it doesn't fit with the parameters of his argument.

Dude: Weak.