Madonna, A-Rod? Nonsense!

Alex Rodriguez wife, if you have not heard yet and I doubt many haven't, has divorced the Yankees star and claims that Madonna broke up their marriage. Who or what is to blame? Kabala, a sex symbol, marital differences? Maybe it is the Red Sox trying to railroad the Yankees once again?

A conspiracy theory would make for great drama, as well for baseball lore (remember the Ortiz jersey in the foundation of the new stadium for the Yanks). Hoping for this scenario is most likely fruitless, I have nearly resigned to the fact that it is the insanity of celebrity relationships and the aura of Yankees. Marilyn and Joltin Joe for example.

Athletes receive demands from everyone; coaches for performance, teammates for them to keep their heads, fans ask for all access to their lives, and significant others, well I haven't figured that one out and this episode throws me for another loop like a stunt plane.

The drama which exists is the same as any one else at its most basic elements, but it is super sized because of the limelight they live in. Quite simply these athletes having relationship problems is ridiculous. Madonna was linked with Jose Canseco in the early 90's, then take your pick of men throughout the years, hell we could link her with terrorism or global warming as A-Rod's wife has done.

Imagine the headline "Madonna melts icebergs causing massive flooding and seals without homes." I think the only thing that might take it's place is "Farve comes out of retirement with the Falcons". The shock value of such headlines seems to captivate everyone and take the attention away from the headlines which should be on front pages; great feats, heartwarming stories, or a squirrel water skiing.

I've had enough of this kind of stuff because the real pure drama, not manufactured drama from "reality shows", is the only type of drama that affects the mystery of the game. The drama I talk of is a trade, an injury, a botched call, or something along the lines of Spygate. Substantial actions and mistakes which fundamentally alter some perception and judgment on competition.

The Giants beating the Patriots this years was so much more than it would have been without Spygate. Spygate did add a new dimension to the playoffs and the season, in fact it was the toast of the town. I have to admit that, I think pretty much everyone would have to, but was it really worth it? Would we have wanted this past NFL season to be any other way?

There is a big difference between A-Rod and Madonna and Spygate; one is realistic and the other is not; one will blow over in a few weeks and the other will linger on forever in the annuls of the NFL and pro sports. Spygate intricately effected the season, the outcome of the Super Bowl, and how everyone will see the game. A-Rod and Madonna will not effect how we see the game and in that sense it is not drama but rather nonsense.

Drama can be good as long as it is compatible with the mystics of athletic competition and will have a profound impact upon the game and its' fans.

Now where's that video of that squirrel water skiing?