Comments on: A-Rod denies the poker game report, story’s source says A-Rod wasn’t at the game

By: 1943mrmojorisin1971

1943mrmojorisin1971 — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 23:22:44 +0000

I take no stock in thumbs up/down but it’s funny how many people disagree with the fact that A-rod is responsible for all the scrutiny he receives yet don’t want to offer a reason why

By: ezwriter69

ezwriter69 — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 04:28:28 +0000

Uh, for what it’s worth, ”the story contains numerous factual inaccuracies” is NOT a denial… it denies nothing.
I could care less whether he’s losing millions playing poker, and unless the house is taking a rake off the pot it’s NOT illegal, but his statement is anything BUT a denial, and no doubt intentionally so.

By: Kevin S.

Kevin S. — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:07:05 +0000

MLB says no gambling on baseball. Not the same thing.

By: tocom1

tocom1 — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:04:21 +0000

Just to clarify, the MLB rule that is posted is Rule 21 which does not specifically say “No Gambling”. It specifically says no betting on baseball. If the commissioner has a problem with A-rod’s activity and wanted to do something, the commissioner would have to act under the more generic “best interests of baseball” part of the misconduct rule, which will be far more difficult for the commissioner to proceed under (e.g., union would be involved, etc.).

By: 1943mrmojorisin1971

1943mrmojorisin1971 — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 23:45:51 +0000

True, but when someone whose credibility has already been called into question is linked to something shady it’s hard not to think there might be something to the allegation. Just saying it wouldn’t surprise me if that was the case, not that I necessarily believe these unsubstantiated accusations

By: jwbiii

jwbiii — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 22:54:00 +0000

When ballplayers are playing cards in clubhouses or on team charters, do you think they’re playing for sunflower seeds or wads of chaw or toothpicks?

Brush your shoulder. You’ve got some turnip greens on it.

By: oaktownsuds

oaktownsuds — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 22:27:57 +0000

The problem here is that at the entry to every MLB clubhouse is a sign that says “No Gambling”. Mays & Mantle were shunned from baseball for a while for doing PR work for casinos. MLB rules are very black & white on this. Players can’t gamble in any way, shape or form. If in fact he was in these games, it’s a suspendable offense.

I agree with those who question his character. He lied about steroids. He has the bucks to shut anybody up, until he finds the one guy who can’t be bought.

By: Ocarina of Bacon

Ocarina of Bacon — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 21:44:05 +0000

Someone told me that 1943mrmojorsin1971 was participating in illegal poker games. Sure, I have no actual proof that you were there, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

Anyone can start rumors about anything. Unsubstantiated allegations only reflect negatively on the rumormonger.

By: 1943mrmojorisin1971

1943mrmojorisin1971 — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 20:57:22 +0000

He made himself into the easy target he is now

By: florida727

florida727 — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 20:11:31 +0000

For some reason the phrase, “first time you get bit by a dog it’s the dog’s fault” comes to mind. I’m not sure why. Must have something to do with Selig though.

By: aaronmoreno

aaronmoreno — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 20:11:12 +0000

In fact, they’re denial is so strong, it must be true!

This game is fun.

By: 1943mrmojorsin1971

1943mrmojorsin1971 — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:43:18 +0000

I’m not here to argue whether or not it matters (for the record I agree it’s a stupid thing to be illegal). The point is A-rod is being tied to something illegal, which just reflects on his character. Remember this is in addition to taking steroids and then lying about it, as well as the poor sportsmanship many perceive him as playing with. It’s just something else eroding whatever is left of A-rod’s image

By: hasbeen5

hasbeen5 — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:07:43 +0000

But who cares if it did happen? The fact that it’s illegal to play a private poker game is ridiculous.

By: 1943mrmojorsin1971

1943mrmojorsin1971 — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:37:27 +0000

When a guy gets caught lying once he leaves no reason for people to believe anything else he says. The fact that it can’t be proved doesn’t mean it didn’t happen

By: 1943mrmojorsin1971

1943mrmojorsin1971 — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:34:20 +0000

Of course he’s going to deny this, but he denied using steroids too. You can’t take a cheater’s word without a grain of salt. After everything I’ve seen from A-rod it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if this turns out to be true but chances are we’ll never know unless he gets caught in act

By: shaggylocks

shaggylocks — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:32:51 +0000

Wait, what exactly did A-Rod do wrong, again? Besides being an easy, insufferable target?

By: Glenn

Glenn — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:10:26 +0000

I generally agree with your statement, but it is a bad idea for professional athletes to get involved in high stakes gambling. If one gets in the hole too much, one could be put in a position to be asked to compromise a game. I know that $10,000 to a rich athlete is like $10 to you and me, but don’t think it is impossible to make $100 million plus in a career and lose it all. Just look to Antoine Walker for one recent example.

By: silverdeer

silverdeer — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:07:40 +0000

I agree with Rick. If A-Rod wants to play poker with his buddies, so what. It is his money, he earned it. Let the man have some fun in life. One of these days, someone that has the money that he has is just going to say, to heck with it and walk away and give the proverbial middle finger to those uptight knuckleheads.

By: dirtyharry1971

dirtyharry1971 — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:06:12 +0000

maybe bud selig could call george mitchell and he can “investigate” this like he did steroid use, LOL

By: sabathiawouldbegoodattheeighthtoo

sabathiawouldbegoodattheeighthtoo — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:01:02 +0000

players gonna play, haters gonna hate

By: phillyrick22

phillyrick22 — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:48:28 +0000

im not an A-Rod nor a yankee fan… i do not see anything whatsoever wrong with playing poker, whether is be with your buddies at home or in an under-ground tournament! He wasnt gambling on games, which would definitely be wrong by all means… Im glad that no punishment will be incured, that would be plain un-fair.

By: bklynbaseball

bklynbaseball — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:43:54 +0000

And to all you A-Rod haters, GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT FIRST.

By: drmonkeyarmy

drmonkeyarmy — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:38:43 +0000

Who knew that Star Magazine would lack journalistic integrity? I guess I will go back to reading The National Inquirer.