Every man is responsible for his own elbow

Photo from Boston.com

A-Rod's "dirty" slide into second base in the eighth inning of Tuesday's Sox - Yanks game is causing quite a stir. If you missed it, A-Rod threw a late elbow in the general area of Dustin Pedroia's crotch (see photo above) in a successful attempt to break up a double play. Here are Pedroia's comments about the slide:

"He went in late and kind of threw an elbow," Pedroia said. "A little cheap, but no big deal....He's the one who slid in like that. Some people play like that and some people slide in, good, clean slide. I think he probably got a little carried away. It happens."

"I have to turn two against the Yankees 19 times a year," Pedroia said. "I know now that when he's coming in, my arm slot gets dropped to the floor. That's it. No big deal."

Now Boston.com is conducting a poll on whether or not Curt Schilling should "send a message" to A-Rod tonight. Fans are split at about 52% "Yes" and 48% "No." Perhaps the hockey I have been watching has got me riled up, but I think that Schilling should at least "brush back" A-Rod in a show of support for his rookie teammate. It was not a "good, clean," feet first slide to break up a double play, it was a dirty play. A-Rod has taken cheap shots before, remember?

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