Maybe it was an inadvertent misstep that led President Obama to fail to mention Alex Rodriguez's name during the Yankees visit to the White House on Monday -- or maybe the teleprompter just skipped a page -- but if Rodriguez wants to be respected, the best advice he can be given is to learn to respect others.

This is the guy, remember, who had it leak out during the clinching game of the 2007 World Series that he was going to exercise the option to void what remained of his contract with the Yankees (which led to his new deal). What the heck? His team wasn't even in the World Series that year.

And that wasn't the first time A-Rod put his own needs ahead of an organization. Tom Hicks, the man who is attempting to sell the Texas Rangers, was able to cover the Rangers' share of Rodriguez's 10-year, $242 million deal signed before the 2001 season, despite Hicks' bankruptcy problems.

It's the working stiffs with the Rangers, the ones who had their future caught up in a Hicks-created retirement plan, who are left with nothing to show for their efforts.

Not that it would matter to Rodriguez. He lives in his own little world, and he is oblivious to anyone else. After Rodriguez's recent misadventure of running over the pitcher's mound in Oakland on his way back to first base from third base on a foul ball -- which Rodriguez claimed he didn't realize was a misstep -- maybe it would be wise to give him a refresher course on some baseball no-nos.

It should be noted that Oakland pitcher Dallas Braden's public whining about the Rodriguez snub was almost as ridiculous as Rodriguez's inability to properly navigate his way around the bases.

Word of advice to Braden: Don't issue threats, just do. The next time A-Rodsteps to the plate, send him a message.