Anticipating ARod's return

Seems that ARod's at 70% already and eyeing a return before mid-May. Wonderful. I hope he comes back pain-free and can have a typical ARod year.

Now, just for giggles sake, here is the posting that I ran last May 20th, as ARod prepared to return from his thigh injury (with the strike outs being replaced with this year's information):

The NY papers are depicting ARod riding into the Bronx on a white horse, a savior, a returning hero.

Um, sorry. This is not a good move.

The erstwhile ARod, an all-time talent, is not one who seems to react well as the pressure rises. Pressure turns carbon into diamonds but for some reason, in baseball with ARod, it turns a diamond often into dust.

Expecting him to return and go bonkers and save the Yanks is both unrealistic (for the fans to expect) and unfair (for ARod). The last thing we need is for him to struggle to find his groove while the fans ride him incessantly. He's returning from injury; give the guy a chance to get back to form.

Maybe this time will be different. Maybe ARod truly conquered his inner demons last earlier this year after admitting in Spring Training that all was not rosy with he and Cap'n Jetes he used PEDs earlier in his career. Maybe he'll relish the adoration and attention that he's bound to get and use that constructively to hit like he did last April June and July. The truth is, however, that the Yanks DO need ARod to come back and spark this catatonic offense the team. Badly. Nothing would make me happier. However, I am dialing my expectations back a notch.

I'm hoping for the upside surprise.

I really, REALLY hope that I don't have to revise this posting again each year from here on out.