Friday, February 13, 2009

Alex Rodriguez, Reality's Harvey Dent

Last summer's blockbuster hit Dark Knight remains one of my favorite films for many reasons, but oddly enough I actually found a connection with the movie and modern day society.

No, I am not talking about the odd similarities I see between my Communication Studies professor and the Joker, rather I am talking about Alex Rodriguez's fall from grace to Harvey Dent's fall from grace.

Let me explain before the harsh comments begin. And yes, I am probably a dork for writing this article.

The steroid witch hunt in baseball has been going on for several years. From Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, to Barry Bonds, we have seen the best of the the best come under fire. We have seen the most admired players be exposed for what they are: cheaters.

But through it all there was one bright light, one white knight: Alex Rodriguez. As great player after great player was found to be cheating, fans said to themselves, "Well at least Rodriguez is doing it right. At least he is not cheating."

He was the glimmer of hope in baseball. The poster boy for all.

That all changed this past week. That all changed when Rodriguez, reality's Harvey Dent, admitted to having used anabolic steroids from 2001 to 2003. The one guy you could have faith in turns out to be just as corrupt as the rest.

Let's look at the symbolism. First there's the corruption of Gotham City. That is represented by the players who were using steroids. Then there's Batman who is...

Okay, haven't thought about that one.

But the transformation of Dent is the same as Rodriguez giving into the temptations (the Joker) of trying anabolic steroids.

Though in the end, unlike the movie, the world will get to see Rodriguez for who he is. Someone who cheated, someone who gave into temptations, someone with two faces, someone who was just taking a chance...