If it’s Soriano’s way or nothing, sayonara

Rogers Hornsby?

Joe Morgan?

Johnny Evers, with Tinker and Chance thrown in?

Just who does Alfonso Soriano think he is?

During this joyous holiday season, the Washington Nationals’ newest player is showing no goodwill toward anybody. As far as Nats fans are concerned, he’s acting more like the Grinch who stole Christmas.

The other night at a dinner for Dominican players, Soriano reiterated that he won’t move from second base to the outfield should the club deem it necessary. Alfonso needs to brush up on his spelling because he apparently believes there is indeed an “I” in “team.”

I can’t wait until Al encounters manager Frank Robinson when the Nats reconvene in Viera, Fla., this spring. I guess Soriano hasn’t heard that F. Robby is one of baseball’s toughest guys. The last fool Frank suffered gladly was Bill DeWitt, who traded him from the Cincinnati Reds to the Baltimore Orioles — one of the all-time dumb deals — in December 1965.

It’s not hard to imagine the dialogue going like this:

Robinson: “Welcome to camp, Alfonso. You’re my center fielder.”

Soriano: “I ain’t playing no outfield, booby.”

Robinson: “GROWL! SNARL! ROAR! BOOT!”

The last sound might be Soriano being drop-kicked toward the outfield at Space Coast Stadium.

Just who does Alfonso Soriano think he is?

Such a dramatic confrontation won’t happen if incumbent second baseman Jose Vidro hasn’t recovered from the knee miseries that hindered him last season. But I hope Vidro is healthy, for two reasons. First, he’s an All-Star in his own right and a better all-around player. Second, I’d like to see Soriano put in his place, wherever Robinson decides it should be.

What is it with these athletes who think the world — or at least their sport — owes them a living? Despite his power numbers, Soriano didn’t earn his likely $10million salary for 2006 — he merely benefited from free agency and all the television money being flung around rounders these days. Had he been born 40 years earlier, he would have been lucky to make $25,000 — and he undoubtedly would have played anywhere he was told.

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