Arod is the Anti-Clutch

Every blog on the internets is talking about this today, so I am not exactly cutting edge here, but I had to jump on the hate train.

While I cannot claim to be better than Arod at hitting a baseball, I can now officially say that I have performed better than him in the delivery room (TWICE actually).  Seems Mr. April, well known for killing post season dreams of Yankee fans, also let his wife down during the birth of their first child.  Which makes it kind of convenient that he showed up 10 minutes late for the birth of his second daughter.

Seriously Alex...do you have any balls?  How did you produce those kids with such a lack of testicular fortitude? 

Comments

[Dave Stephens]

I'm not here to jump on A-Rod either about his issues with the delievery of his kids. I would have passed out too. That kind of shit grosses me out! So in some sence, I'm just like Alex. On another note, I am going to be cutting edge on the other issue. The guy gave both his daughters the same middle name. Are you kidding me. Really? Obviously, it was the only way he could have named them somehow after himself. Christ! Poor girls when they get older and realize what their parents have done.

[Kull]

No shit...I didn't even notice the middle name thing.
I know some people that have done that. It is kind of weird, but probably not as weird as giving all your kids the same first name like George Foreman.

Come on Dave, err...Jimmmy, err Gil you'd be fine in delivery room. You're tougher than Alex, I know it!

[Jeff]

Add me to list of people that has no desire to watch childbirth under any circumstance. ARod's OK in my book.

[Kull]

Yeah I used to say the same thing. But when it's your own kid, things change and you get a little tougher. Well some people do, others just choke under the pressure.

[Jeff]

I have to disagree. I've never seen being there and watching that as a test of toughness... it's more just personal preference. I've seen childbirth a handful of times (health class... the movie "Knocked Up", etc). I just prefer not to see my wife go through that for a number of reasons.

In ARod's case, who's to say? Maybe he had no desire and his wife guilted him into it. Maybe he was hungover. Maybe he loves his wife SO much and was SO moved by the birth event that he went on sensory overload and shut down.

[Kull]

Okay, maybe TOUGH was the wrong choice of word. You get more tolerant perhaps? And not to get all "i know this shit cuz I've reproduced" on you, but I used to have the same fear and had those fears up until the big day came. Even going into it, I thought I would put up the blinders and not watch, umm...certain things. But before I knew it, the adrenaline kicked in and I was right there with the doctor.

And I hope there was some sarcasm with the reference to Knocked Up.

I don't know, the fact is the wife/mother is going through way more shit than you and for the father/husband to pass out, that is weak. He handled it better the second time by getting there "ten minutes late", he probably stopped at the airport bar to grab a cocktail just to make sure he was late!

[Jeff]

No sarcasm about Knocked Up... have you seen the unrated version. ;-)

I'm not sure that your firsthand experience would have anything to do with my preference to sit in the waiting room. And I think that some of my reasons for NOT going might be offensive to people who think that it's important or valuable for the father to be present, so I don't want to elaborate.

At any rate, I don't fault ARod for passing out or even bailing. If it were running, situps, pushups, lifting weights or any other number of physical activities, I'd be puking and passed out before he was really warmed up, I'm sure.

[Kull]

Yeah, I have seen the unrated version. Any experienced father in the delivery room would probably kill to have had things look that way!

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts off line. I value your opinion, take, thoughts on many issues. But I understand your desire not to publish them here.

Man, I completely disagree, I am 100% certain I could do more pushups than Arod! Umm...yeah right!

Anyway, the original point of this post was that Arod choked in a specific situation where I excelled. Regardless of whether he was guilted or forced into it, he was in there, I was in there, he passed out, I rose to the occasion!

[Jody]

What if your wife wants you there?? Do you still say, "I'll be in the waiting room"?

What about your support for your wife?? I think if the wife could she’d prefer to be in the "waiting room" too. She is just as scared as the husband is, MAYBE MORE. Reason #1 for being in the room! Even if you just look into her eyes, hold her hand, giving her the support that a husband should during this wonderful time in your lives. You don’t have to watch the action if you don’t want. I think I know some of the reason why a man doesn't want to be in the room during the birth of their child. Get over it, it is natural!

I would not want my wife to go at it alone with just the medical staff to comfort her. THAT IS MY JOB as a HUSBAND!!!

I have seen good deliveries and I have seen very bad deliveries, most have had their significant other there. The women who don’t tend to be more frightened and sometimes inconsolable, which is very sad.

[Kull]

Let it be known it was never my intention to open a philosphical debate amongst commenters. One thing I realized a while ago is they make different flavors of ice cream for a reason. Every one is different and has different feelings on things. I just enjoy busting balls on Arod.

[Jeff]

Jody, simmer. Not sure if you're aware, but CAPS IMPLY THAT YOU'RE SHOUTING.

If my wife wanted me to be there, I would be there. And I'm sure you're right that the wife would be in the waiting room if she could. And if I could carry/deliver my child, I would. Nature has made it otherwise. In other news, if my Aunt had a dick he'd be my Uncle.

"Scared" doesn't have anything to do with it. Not sure why scared/fear keep working into the argument here. It's really just a preference. Just because you'd rather not do something doesn't make you fearful of it. I have other reasons for not being there, beside the gore and dialation.

If you or anybody else wants to be there, scrub in and mask up. I've never said you can't or shouldn't. It's clearly a personal decision. You make yours, I'll make mine, and ARod can make his.

And finally, for a guy who's "afraid" to fix his own computer or run his own web site, I'd think you might understand my reluctance to be present for the birth of a child. We all have our strengths and weaknesses... tasks we embrace and tasks that we back away from. I'm reluctant to roll up my sleeves and help pull my kid through my wife's body for a number of reasons, but I'll roll up my sleeves and fix your computer anytime.

Kull,

Good post and nice job taking the high road and moderating. Nothing wrong with a little debate breaking out on a blog.

[Jody]

Kull,

As the kids are saying these days, PROPS! Good topic.

Jeff,

I'm not yelling at my computer or yelling my typed words out. I am just EMPHASIZING a word(s) just like you and other people do while typing everyday, on blogs and texting.
Any who, I knew you would be at your wife’s side, if asked. I wasn’t just asking you, I was asking Kull’s audience.
Men’s “preference” (on this subject) is usually based around fear, not saying yours is. Most of the time it is because of the gore, seeing their woman go through the pain and especially, what their woman’s bodies go through at the time of birth, very understandable. You might not be afraid and your preference is not to see it child enter this world, I say ok, it is your personal decision.
Even though we disagree, I was conveying my thoughts on the subject with my post. I wasn't attacking anyone and his beliefs.
You can fix my computer anytime. I should have said "it is my preference not to try and fix my computer, at this time, for various reasons." ;-)

[Kull]

Who would have thunk a little jab at Arod would spark such a debate.
It is most definitely personal preference and I would never question a friend's decision to step out of the room. I never even considered not being there, but if a friend decided to go old school and wait in another room for personal reasons, I would respect that. I really enjoyed my time in the delivery room with Ben, time in the operating room with Caleb was much more stressful.

Jody...hope your computer is running smoothly.