[The Poet]

Now that was interesting. Predictions were that the crowd's response to A-Rod's return to Yankee Stadium would be 50/50 mixed cheers and boos. But when the line-up was announced, Alex got, in the words of John Sterling, "a phenomenal reception." Suzyn Waldman speculated that the fans were saying he'd paid his dues, so welcome back . . . which would change with his first strike-out. John opined the fans were telling the media that he's one of our players, so leave him alone.

I'd be surprised if he does better than 15 and 70 this year, and not so if he does worse, yet still it is interesting for all baseball fans, for whatever reasons . . . even those who hate his guts.