“I could care less, they have their opinions” - When Alex Rodriguez dismissed Blue Jays manager John Gibbons for describing his play as bush league
Perhaps no player in MLB history is more polarizing than Alex Rodriguez. The former New York Yankees slugger was one of the best and is unafraid to show it. His brash attitude and questionable decisions didn't enamor him to fans across the world, including one such moment in 2007 against the Toronto Blue Jays.
At the time, Rodriguez did not help his image among Blue Jays fans after a questionable play near third base nearly led to a brawl on the field. A-Rod was running to third base after a routine pop-up, shouting out as Toronto third baseman Howie Clark was attempting to make the catch.
"A-Rod yells "Ha, I got it!" during a pop-up to distract Blue Jays" - @12west90
After Rodriguez shouted out, Clark, who believed it was his teammate John MacDonald calling for the ball, gave up on the play. As the ball hit the ground and the Yankees scored, frustration boiled over between New York's slugger and Toronto's infield.
After the game, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons spoke about the incident, calling the play "bush league" and not something that a classy organization like the Yankees would do. Alex Rodriguez, on the other hand, said it was just part of the game.
“I could care less, they have their opinions. We’re looking not to get swept. It really didn’t make a difference" - Rodriguez said in response to John Gibbons' criticism of the play.
Good sportsmanship or not, A-Rod's shouting during the pop fly did help the Yankees secure a 10-5 victory.
Alex Rodriguez was heavily criticized throughout his tenure with the New York Yankees
While the play in question could be added to Alex Rodriguez's long list of questionable decisions throughout his time in the MLB, it was not the first, and definitely not the last time he drew criticism for his actions with New York. The Yankees have always been a baseball team that does its best to exemplify a classy image, including their pinstripe uniforms and no facial hair policy.
The polarizing infielder was always a larger-than-life personality, who never shied away from the limelight. During his time with the Yankees, A-Rod found himself in several high-profile relationships that wound up on the front pages of newspapers.
It was not only the relationships and on-field plays that sparked blowback from fans, but also the highly publicized contract situation during the 2007 postseason, which ultimately cost the Yankees more than $20 million. It's safe to say that it was not only John Gibbons and the Blue Jays who grew frustrated with Alex Rodriguez during his Yankees tenure.