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"I didn't like it. I don't think it was the right thing to do but we don't all think alike, and the guy who did it -- Dempster -- is a great guy.

It's not that I didn't think it was right because Alex and I are friends, because once you cross the white lines, everyone's on their own. But we've got Tampa right on our heels, and that pitch woke up a monster in the Yankees' team at that moment.

You saw how the game ended up. CC Sabathia was throwing 91 (mph) and started throwing 96. Alex later hit one way out there. You're talking about a good team that you can't wake up. But we learn from our mistakes."

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Riiiiight. Don't get caught up trying to spin this....

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The face of the franchise told a reporter that he didn't like what one of his teammates did

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It's not that I didn't think it was right because Alex and I are friends, because once you cross the white lines, everyone's on their own. But we've got Tampa right on our heels, and that pitch woke up a monster in the Yankees' team at that moment.

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Except from that one phone

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Make no mistake, plenty of players had unpleasant feelings toward Rodriguez. When given the chance to name a punishment (in games) for Rodriguez, 20 percent agreed with 211, and another 16 percent would support a lifetime ban for Rodriguez. "He ought to be banned forever after all of this crap," said one American League reliever. "It's taken a long time to get people feeling good about this game again, and he's the main guy keeping the focus on the cheaters. We're all sick of it."

So sick of it, in fact, that when asked "Who would you rather have as a teammate, Alex Rodriguez or Ryan Braun?" 29 percent said neither. Another 42 percent chose Braun, with 29 percent selecting Rodriguez. "They're both bad guys and bad teammates," said an AL pitcher. "I think Braun is a better baseball player right now, but who wants to deal with having to walk past him every day in the clubhouse?"

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