When a big name joins Twitter, it's common for official accounts of the microblogging network as well as Twitter execs to give the newbie a big public welcoming shout-out.
Such was the case for Major League Baseball star Alex Rodriguez on Monday, when he got plugs from the official @TwitterSports account as well as Twitter Media headman Ben Grossman, among others:
Only eight @MLB players have hit more than 600 Home Runs, he's one of them - let's welcome 14-time All-Star @AROD to @Twitter.— Twitter Sports (@TwitterSports) June 24, 2013
New York Yankees baseball player Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) has joined Twitter. Please welcome him accordingly.— Ben Grossman (@grossman) June 24, 2013
It was all downhill from there, however, as fans were all too happy to learn one of the most hated men in sports is now online and officially open for trolling. Here, for example, is the first response to that @TwitterSports post:
@TwitterSports @MLB @AROD @twitter You mean AROID?! No thx #fraud— The Minor League Guy (@TMLGsports) June 24, 2013
Rodriguez, currently with the Yankees, has gone from diamond demigod to loathed baseball villain in recent years thanks to his bloated contract, declining on-field performance, playoff failings and -- most of all -- his admitted use of steroids to gain a leg up on competition. ESPN reported earlier this month that MLB is considering a lengthy suspension for Rodriguez after his most recent juicing revelations.
With that in mind, here are some of the more family-friendly examples of how the wide world of sports Twitter, um, "welcomed" A-Rod to the onlines:
.@AROD got a Twitter? Will his account stop working in #October?— Ryan (@r_mack) June 24, 2013
@AROD Dude, get off Twitter and get off the Yankees. You add 0 value to both.— Matt B (@BrodyBadger) June 24, 2013
Hey look, @arod is on twitter. Everyone take a second and join me in raising a cup of juice in toast to him.— Alvin Zeidenfeld (@AlZeidenfeld) June 24, 2013
So @AROD forgot the I or @AROID was already taken??— Mets Fan In Therapy™ (@MetsFanInPhilly) June 24, 2013
Welcome to twitter @AROD, here's a gift... pic.twitter.com/4plMdFP2W0— Evil Mike Tomlin (@EvilMikeTomlin) June 24, 2013
Indeed, with his reputation in shambles and no light in sight, it is something of a strange time for A-Rod to up his Twitter game and invite the public eye. Even worse, for all the negative attention, his follower count surely isn't what he was hoping for after the official reveal.
Rodriguez actually started tweeting at the very end of May, but 24 hours after the public announcements still has just under 20,000 followers. Contrast that with NBA star Kobe Bryant -- once A-Rod's peer in the fame game -- who racked up more than 100,000 followers in his first 75 minutes online.
Perhaps these two fans summed the situation up best on Monday afternoon:
Why would @AROD get a twitter now? Everyone hates him at this point— Tori J. (@torijacobs) June 24, 2013
If anyone should have avoided twitter forever, it's Alex Rodriguez. You've made a huge mistake, @AROD— Nick Yidiaris (@NYid07) June 24, 2013
What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
[HT Jimmy Traina]