Sunday, July 6, 2008

Personal



I've been asked about the recent rumblings of the impending divorce of Alex and Cynthia Rodriguez. This is mainly because despite not having attended many games this season, I've been writing about the Yankees every week for the New York Beacon for the last three years. It's one of those stories that won't leave the front page of the New York area papers until either Barack Obama or John McCain says something that hurts the other's feelings. Yet, it's something that I don't feel is appropriate for me to discuss anywhere for three reasons:


  1. Until there's a direct correlation between potential alimony and Alex's batting average, it's not something that I am allowed to write about for the paper.

  2. There's a stark difference between discussing an athlete's maritial life/personal relationships and an athlete's criminal activity, where the latter can interfere more with game play.

  3. It's none of my business.


That said, I have always believed that while it may be necessary in some cases, divorce is just... sad. No matter if it is someone close to me or someone I'll never meet in person, the fact that a marriage that was supposed to be honored by both groom(s) and/or bride(s) cannot be repaired is one of the greatest shames that can be experienced. Sure, it can be liberating and even life-saving in the most extreme of cases. Yet, it has to be an embarrassment for a judge and a few lawyers to break up a union two people spent such significant emotion and time to build.



With that said, even with the celebrity persona, public mistakes, mammoth contract and the high-profile employer, Alex's life off the baseball diamond is untouchable for this Scribe. The same goes for any sports figure, movie or TV star, musician, etc., as his or her personal life for one reason: I didn't sign my trust by electing that person to enact laws that reflect something that can benefit my piece of the world.



It's self-righteous and indignant, I know. Yet, this news not only spawned this prologue, but it reminded me of something I wrote for the former blog in 2006. Shortly after word surfaced of Allen Iverson's infidelious moments with Karrine Steffans, similar questions had been asked. While 'Dumb' focused mostly on how Steffans and others capitalized from their... um, talents... it invoked strong emotions about the personal lifes of public figures.



I respect all opinions and understand that probably none of you share a similar viewpoint. In fact, I expect none of you to agree; mostly those who have a strong disdain for the Yankees' third baseman. However, understand that while those of us involved with sports media - paid and unpaid, big or small - have thoughts on the matter, most of us will likely take the same route as Rodriguez or any other athlete would.



It's a personal matter.

1 comment:

MissMelony said...

i know i don't say tis often, but I have to agree with you. What happens (or doesn't happen) in a marriage is between the wife, the husband and in my opinion GOD, and the sports media, regular media, your cousin Kim should have no business in their business. The one thing that bothers me more is when these wives or husbands of famous people put the dirty laundry out there. And we the people who say we don't care, we still watch it. how else do the entertainment tonights of the world make money. So i commend your opinion and agree.