To sell or not to sell
March 7, 2008

I am sitting here at work watching the stock market sink, something that is becoming all too familiar these days.  Today
the (ex)CEO’s of Countrywide, Merrill Lynch, and Citigroup are on capital hill defending their massive salaries during a
time when their companies were caught up in the middle of the subprime mess.  The best, and only real argument they
have, is that their payouts relate to a different time, when the financial skies were clear and subprime was not a
household name.  Yes Stan O’Neal walked away from Merrill with a nine figure payout, but most of that was from vested
options he earned in past.  Technically he did not receive anything additional in the end.  So why the fuss?  Because
they let their employees and stockholders down when they were needed most.   Yes they made everyone tons of
money in the first few years of this century, but when the pressure was on they crumbled.  Looking at these guys I can
not help but to be reminded of A-Rod.  Plays big in the regular season, but disappears when he’s need most.  Of
course there is one main difference.  Prince and O’Neal are out of a job, A-Rod got resigned to an even bigger contract.

I started this website for fun back in 2005.  I eventually learned how to use google ad sense and now it turns a small
profit.  I generally work pretty long hours so maintaining this sight can be somewhat of a hassle.  Towards the end of
last season that opt out clause was always on my mind.  I knew he was going to opt out.  It did not matter what he said
or anyone else.  He is predictable and I knew he would opt out.  I figured as long as he continues to disappoint in the
playoffs the Yankees would wish him well and be done with it.  After the Indians series I knew that was it, just a matter of
time until the website was done and I could move on.  I still remember watching the world series game when it flashed
on the screen that he was opting out.  After a few “I told you so” and “I knew it” I thought about the final message I was
going to put up on the website.  When I got home I considered just killing it immediately, then decided I might as well
follow it until he signs somewhere else.  After harsh comments from the Yankees new brass I knew it was over, there
was no possible way he would ever be allowed back.  I boldly stated my prediction to anyone who would listen that A-
Rod was going to be a Met in 2008.  I figured an ego as big as his could not go to a smaller market, and since the Mets
had a historical collapse they needed to do something drastic.  There was no way the Yankees could even be in the
picture right?  Post season choker, clubhouse cancer, media circus, luxury tax creator, and now desecrater of
baseball…..  Who would want this guy?  The fact that there was not much interest in him started to worry me.  Then
came his riff with Boras, I really started sweating.  Somehow I knew he was going to come crawling back.  
Then it happened.  The Yankees resigned him.  If I am unable to put into words how exactly I feel about this it is
because I have not totally come to terms with it.  I have not watched any preseason games, nor have I been following it
much.  I just can not believe A-Rod is still a Yankee.  On wall street if lose investors millions, even after making them
billions, and you will lose your job and might even be called in front of Congress.  Dash the hopes and dreams of
Yankees fans year after year all while bing a complete jackass and you will be rewarded with even more money.  There
is no justice in this world….none.     
     But what do I do now?  Keep the website?  Sell it?  Give it away?  I was going to pass it on to a fan of whatever
unfortunate team made the mistake of signing him.  Now I feel almost obligated to keep it.  I realize trading him is now
completely out of the question.  His contract virtually assures that he will be here for ten years.  Think about that, ten
years.  There is a good chance I will have to explain to my poor kids one day why those pesky Red Sox win year after
year while our beloved Yankees just keep coming up short.  I guess the tides had to change sometime.  Why did it have
to happen now?