Yankees' Alex Rodriguez severs ties with baseball super agent Scott Boras

As reported here, New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez ranked eighth in a Forbes Magazine poll of the most disliked people in sports; which included such notorious transgressors as Philadelphia Eagles back-up quarterback Michael Vick, professional golfer Tiger Woods and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

One of the reasons why Rodriguez’s image has taken a hit in recent years was the timing of the decision to opt out of his contract with the Yankees, which leaked during Game 4 of the 2007 World Series and subsequently led to a less-publicized dispute between A-Rod and his agent, Scott Boras.

However, this snafu did not dissuade Rodriguez from instructing Boras to finalize a record-breaking 10-year, $275 million contract to stay in New York, with unique marketing bonuses that could make the contract worth $305 million if Rodriguez surpasses Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds on Major League Baseball's all-time home run list.

But although Boras negotiated the two most lucrative contracts in professional sports history for Rodriguez, including a 10-year, $252 million deal with the Texas Rangers in 2000, the high-profile opt-out strained the relationship between Boras and Rodriguez to the point of no return.

According to USA Today, the three-time American League MVP has severed his business relationship with Boras. Instead, Rodriguez has retained Pittsburgh sports attorney Jay Reisinger and Washington lawyer Jim Sharp, who have been handling his government and legal affairs since February 2009.

Rodriguez’s current deal expires in 2017, when he'll be 43 years old.  So the truth of the matter is, Scott Boras had outlived his usefulness in A-Rod’s universe. If Rodriguez is capable and healthy enough to play in 2018, any contract he receives will be miniscule in comparison to the two previous ones he signed.

And at that stage in Rodriguez’s career, Boras will unquestionably have bigger fish to fry as promising young clients like Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg should increasingly demand more of his attention.

Therefore, tenuous relationship or not, Rodriguez no longer required Boras' services and Boras went above and beyond to ensure A-Rod and his family are financially secure for the rest of their lives while lining his own pockets with millions in commissions; which is as mutually symbiotic a relationship as can be found between a player and his agent.