Texas Rangers: Why does everyone hate Joey Gallo?

I can’t believe we’re even asking this question, but recently, the former Texas Rangers star has come under fire by various media.

Gallo, since being traded from the Rangers to the Yankees in July with Joely Rodriguez for a package of four prospects, including Glenn Otto, has not performed up to par with New York standards, to say the least. In his first two-plus months in pinstripes, Gallo posted just a .707 OPS and 13 home runs in 188 at-bats.

Those numbers represented a decline from his production with the Texas Rangers, but can we please stop with the overreactions? It’s getting out of hand.

Joey Gallo has received so much criticism since being traded from the Texas Rangers to the New York Yankees

Exhibit A? Pete Rose. The disgraced former star chastised Gallo for his high strikeout rate, as if Rose didn’t do anything far worse during the course of his infamous big league career.

“How does someone who didn’t play every day strike out 213 times? Ray Charles wouldn’t strike out that much. I just can’t imagine striking out 213 times without killing myself.”

If you know anything about Joey Gallo, it’s that he does strike out a ton, but that he ALSO draws walks and hits dingers. Long ones too. Gallo is the true definition of a three true outcomes player, and while that can be frustrating to watch, that doesn’t make him a bad player. In fact, he was a commodity at the trade deadline, so the Rangers couldn’t have been the only team interested in (retaining) his services.

Exhibit B? New York Sports Media.

I mean how many articles have we seen written by the New York media about how bad Joey Gallo has been since arriving in the Bronx? We understand the media covering the Texas Rangers isn’t as harsh on its players, but way to make a new player feel right at home.

And if you think that’s bad, the New York Post is even trying to devise trade packages to send him out of town! After he practically just got to Yankee Stadium!

It’s clear the New York Yankees don’t deserve Joey Gallo. That being said, the Texas Rangers will take the prospects acquired in the deal, thank you very much.

But even beyond the Yankees, why do people hate the 27-year-old? Is it because he doesn’t fit the typical mold of baseball player? Is it the strikeouts? It’s definitely because of his performance on a national stage.

The point is that there’s no reason to hate Joey Gallo. He plays hard, the right way and wants to be successful just like the fans want. Perhaps a full season in New York might change people’s perspectives.