-So you want to know what it’s like to be A-Rod? I was at last night’s tough 5-3 loss to the Tigers. It’s hard to believe this is the same player who won the AL MVP last year. But let’s just forget about all the numbers for a minute. Even in the traditional first inning Bleacher Creature rollcall where they chant each starter’s name and they acknowledge them with a tip of the cap or glove, the much maligned supersensitive third baseman received some boos. For what exactly? For waving a glove to diehards?!?!?!?!?! It borders on absurd. Anything the guy does just gets booed. And it’s usually by people who don’t even care or aren’t real fans. So here’s my question for those who go to these games a lot. If he’s on your team and you know how any little thing can affect his psyche, why would you boo? Why not cheer and give him your unwavering support? The guy needs it and so do the Yankees.

-So did anyone like that ninth inning where Scott Proctor couldn’t tame the Tigers like Mariano Rivera? Sometimes, that will happen. He shouldn’t have been in there but Kyle Farnsworth (man if you look at his name closely it should be called Farn$worth cause he sure isn’t worth it) couldn’t go because of a bad back. They only pay the guy $7 million-a-year. Man. You can’t make it up. Of course, Proctor serving one up to Craig Monroe was about as predictable as the rain is these days. Hope the sun comes up tomorrow and the greatest closer is back out there to finish off two of three.

-Best parts of the game: Derek Jeter’s clutch two-run double which tied it. He also stole third which gave A-Rod a chance for an easy RBI ground out which had the Yanks ahead. Robinson Cano’s sprawling gem and toss out of Sean Casey in which the Tiger first baseman bowled over first baseman Aaron Guiel but he held on to end the eighth. It was as good a defensive play by two infielders as you’ll see.

-Overheard an older fan complaining that Rivera wasn’t used. Let’s see: He closed out the 2-0 shutout during the day game of the doubleheader and pushed the Yanks’ lead to 8.5 over the dead Sahhhxxx. But this game was “really big.” Yep. I can see if they were up only three or four putting him in. But when you have a comfortable lead over an opponent which doesn’t have its best sluggers due to health ailments and has shown no signs of life, what’s the point? May as well give him the night off. But sometimes, logic doesn’t prevail at these games. They must’ve had one too many.

-Also heard during this game on a foul ball five rows into foul territory that was out of A-Rod’s reach: “Jeter would’ve had that.” And that is really all you need to know about these fans.

-How much you want to bet A-Rod finishes his career elsewhere?

-I cringe at the thought that most of the fans I saw at this game will comprise of that new Yankee Stadium. Oh the joy.

-There’s been this debate lately on WFAN that Chris Russo has brought up about the new Shea Stadium including a tribute to Jackie Robinson. Or even naming it after him. Okay…I’m with Russo on this one. I understand what Robinson did for baseball but what the heck does he have to do with the freaking Mets? These Mets fans who call up and defend it are delusional. How about naming it after one of your franchise’s best players: Darryl Strawberry Field, Tom Seaver Park. Even Dwight Gooden Field makes more sense even if the Mets don’t even want to acknowledge what the now jailed former Cy Young winner had on the impact of those 80’s teams. Idiots. That’s why they’re the Mets. If you can’t recognize what was your greatest pitcher on the 1986 team because his life didn’t turn out the way it should have, you are not doing the best job possible for the fans who saw that team play. Sometimes, players have flaws. Gooden still was their best pitcher before cocaine did him in. Btw…one thing I agree on with FAN’s Jerry Reco is if it’s named after some corporate company, it would stink! Nobody wants to have a new stadium called Bubba Burger Park. Ugh.

-Speaking of the Mets, they continued to roll last night at Colorado. What was it again? 11-2 and four home runs? Or was it five? I lost count. I know David Wright hit a grand slam and drove in five. And Carlos Delgado hit one or was it two. And Jose Valentin hit two out. The best aspect for them as they close in on their first division crown since 1988 is that Delgado is red hot (6 HR in last 9 games) and Wright has come out of his month long slump and went over 100 RBI’s. Oh btw…when Delgado gets four more, that will mean the 3-4-5 of Carlos Beltran, Delgado and Wright will all top 100. Find another NL team that has that.

-Marlins finally lost after winning nine straight. Yes, the NL Central-leading Cardinals actually won a game and increased their chances of seeing the postseason. Regarding Florida, they really have done a tremendous job. They did fall to 2.5 back of the wildcard-leading Padres who jumped half a game in front of the Reds after their sixth consecutive loss. However, I still see the Marlins staying in this race for the duration. None of these teams look like they’ll jump ahead. The Reds have been fading lately. The Phillies have played great ball lately but are always a bullpen stint away from self-destructing. The Padres are okay but not what I’d call a lock to run away from anyone. It should be a fun race till the finish.

-So Team USA Basketball cruised into the semis of the FIBA Cup or whatever it’s called and now will face world power Greece. And you’re probably wondering why this doesn’t excite me.

-So the MTV Music Awards are on later tonight. It would be nice if there’s an actual rock moment and not some boneheaded thing on Paris Hilton or Christina Aguilera or some other overrated pop star who can get the heck off my TV set. Ah…I’m probably asking for too much. It will probably be as unwatchable as the last few years. When was it exactly that it stopped being about the music?
-Andre Agassi’s back has flared up and he received a cortisone shot after his first round win over Andrei Pavel. Probably not a good sign for his must see second round match at the Open tonight against Marcos Baghdatis. If he wins and extends his career another round, it would be an upset. Baghdatis is much younger and plays similar to Agassi and can move much faster. This could still turn out to be a great match but it depends on the two-time Open champion’s health which isn’t great going in. No matter what happens, it should be memorable.

-Is this the tournament Maria Sharapova goes from one trick pony to legitimate star?

-Worth noting that the comebacking Serena Williams actually looks a lot fitter and was moving much better in her first round win Wednesday. We’ll see how far it gets her.