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“Super Winners…” – Joe Rogan and Billy Corben Talk About Alex ‘A-Rod’ Rodriguez’s Mentality to Compete
Alex ‘A-Rod’ Rodriguez has been a prospect since he was in high school, and a promising one at that. He was the first to be drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 1993 draft. And apart from the great expectations from the young athlete, he made it big in MLB too. For A-Rod, a large part of his progress was down to his mentality. Also, for people who think Michael Jordan is competition incarnate, Rodriguez might have taken this one personally.
Alex Rodriguez was amid some controversy in the latter part of his career. It was during this time that Billy Corben and Alfred Spellman approached him. Coming to the athlete as filmmakers, they took a meeting and had some eccentric experiences.
Speaking on the Joe Rogan podcast, filmmaker Billy Corben talks about his experience meeting the star. After his World Series win in 2009, Alex Rodriguez was a star. But Rodriguez was a star in Miami school baseball long before he made his way to MLB. And it was a story from his years in high school that stoked A-Rod’s competitive spirit.
How Billy Corben left Rodriguez miffed
Billy Corben spoke to Joe Rogan about a meeting that he had with the athlete. Setting some context, Corben tells about how Spellman used to pitch when he was in high school and had pitched against A-Rod too.
Rodriguez was one of the most anticipated prospects to come out of Miami. He was in top form and slugging pitchers for fun. It was almost as if it was routine to see the ball in the stands with him at home plate. And when he was in such imperious form, Alfred Spellman pitched to A-Rod. The curious part is that he managed a rare feat.
Said Corben, “He held Alex to a triple,” adding, “it was a rare not home run for Alex Rodriguez.”
However, when recounting this story, A-Rod did not see the funny side. Said Corben, “He was totally unamused and maybe looked even a little hurt or offended.”
Alex ‘A-Rod’ Rodriguez – The ultimate competitor
Corben thought that maybe bringing this up to start the interview would be a good idea. Said Corben, “I thought we have like a funny personal anecdote. Like we can find some common ground here, right?”
But if you’re picking a story from the past to tell A-Rod, you better make it one where he got the better of you.
NEW YORK – JUNE 29: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees reacts after popping out in the 9th inning against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium on June 29, 2008 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
What Corben had intended to be a funny anecdote to bring the two together had turned around on him.“I’m like how could you be upset about that? You’re one of the greatest of all time!” Corben added.
Joe Rogan had perhaps the most appropriate descriptor for why Rodriguez reacted that way. Said Rogan, “Super winners…”
Watch This Story: “Big Problem At The Moment” – Alex ‘A-Rod’ Rodriguez Asks For Help From Fans
There might be several athletes with the innate ability who compete at a premier level, but it is their mentality that sets elite athletes apart. The ability to compete on every level and to make everything a competition is what drives them to constantly deliver better performances. But what do you think? Do you agree with what Corben tried to do? Would you have done the same?
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