yankees aroid

jaguarbob · #1 06-24-2009, 08:44 AM

Stalked by His History, A-Rod’s Struggle Continues
By TYLER KEPNER

ATLANTA – Joe Girardi said something interesting Tuesday night about Alex Rodriguez, who went 0 for 4 in a 4-0 loss to the Braves:

“He’s been in a funk. But he’s going to come out of it, too. History’s on his side.”

Is it, really? Anyone can look at Rodriguez’s track record and see the glittering numbers. But Rodriguez is almost 34, coming off serious hip surgery, and the validity of his past numbers – as they relate to future performance – is in doubt because of his admitted steroid use.

I looked at this issue in Tuesday’s analysis, and to me it’s the crux of what the Yankees face with Rodriguez for the last eight and a half years of his contract. How can they know what to expect when they don’t know how much his past was influenced by steroids? Because right now, he sure looks as if he could use the kind of energy boost that steroids once gave him.

Rodriguez has one hit in his last 23 at-bats. He is 9 for 63 (.143) in June. He has one homer away from Yankee Stadium. He is not making standout plays in the field. Is he simply bound to have a bad season?

“I certainly don’t think it’s going to be a bad year,” Rodriguez said. “I think I’m going to do a lot of good things to help the team win. I have complete certainty I’m going to do a fine job.”

The Yankees’ 4-9 stretch cannot be blamed on one player. When you take out a 15-0 pasting of the Mets on June 14, the Yankees are averaging just 3.08 runs per game and batting .219 since their last day in first place, on June 8.

But the Yankees attached their fortunes to Rodriguez when they welcomed him back for another decade after he opted out of his contract in 2007, and as he goes, they go.

Rodriguez won the Most Valuable Player award in ’07, knowing he could opt out of his deal and cash in. His hip was sturdy then, and he was two years younger. Those are very important points.

But given his past – a different kind of history than the one Girardi cited – what do the Yankees really know about how Rodriguez achieved those 2007 numbers? Is something close to that season attainable again, or was that a mirage fueled by chemicals?

The Yankees need Rodriguez to be great. He is a player with an awful lot to prove, and while many elite athletes are motivated by doubts, maybe he is just not physically up to it. If, when and how Rodriguez becomes a star again is the Yankees’ central question right now.
bob

Berzin · #2 06-24-2009, 09:15 AM

Good post.

This is a dilemma, because the Yankees are married to him until his contract expires. No GM in either league can or will pay what remains of his collosal contract, so they are stuck until it expires.

I doubt the Yanks would be getting any takers even if he was putting up gaudy numbers like in previous years because of the baggage that follows him around.

I find the incentive clauses in his contract funny. They expect this guy to be smashing homers into his early 40's like he was doing in his 20's. He can, but he'll have to take steroids to do it.

Big_Poppi2 · #3 06-24-2009, 09:48 PM

It is true that Alex is not a young guy anymore, by baseball standards, and he has had his share of injuries and slumps. I am not ready to throw in the towel on him just yet though. I seen what Barry bonds did on two bad knees and alex is better than him at that stage in his career. I saw what marc Mcguire did on a bad leg and Alex is better right now than marc was at that stage in his career. I think he will be find and after all this is still just like coming out of spring training for him. he will be great again soon, and Dominican Baseball is always great, Go Licey!!!! ha, ha, ha take care, nice post, God bless
Biggs

windeguy · #4 10-17-2009, 12:35 PM

Looks like Arod actually wants his team to win it all this year. He is doing better than ever in post season play. Despite being thrown out at home when ignoring a stop sign to hold at third, at least he was hustling. ( Replays show he was actually safe, but runners never get that call unless the ball pops out of the catchers glove.)

Tamborista · #5 10-17-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windeguy

( Replays show he was actually safe, but runners never get that call unless the ball pops out of the catchers glove.)

What about the bad call when Teixeira was not touching the bag?
They won, & that is really all that matters!

Chip · #6 10-17-2009, 01:20 PM

I guess Alex isn't finished just yet:

Regular season: BA .286, RBI 100, HR 30

Playoffs: BA .462, RBI 7, HR 2

rsg · #7 10-17-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chip

I guess Alex isn't finished just yet:

Regular season: BA .286, RBI 100, HR 30

Playoffs: BA .462, RBI 7, HR 2

Finished? I think that assumption is about 5 years to soon. All the A rod bashing is pathetic. The guy was injured to start the season and all the Yankee Haters just love to bash A rod for any little thing.All I can say is look at the stats baby, SCOREBOARD!!!

windeguy · #8 10-17-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamborista

What about the bad call when Teixeira was not touching the bag?
They won, & that is really all that matters!

That was to the Yankees benefit, so I don't bring those issues up.

Go Yankees...

windeguy · #9 10-17-2009, 04:17 PM

The NY Times said that replays were inconclusive. One photo shows Teixera's glove closed (with the ball in it) with his foot just along the edge of first base.

This LA Time article indicates his foot was on the bag.

Replays appeared to show Teixeira kept his foot on the bag.

Close call at first goes Yanks' way | angelsbaseball.com: News

It was a really close call, but the LA newspaper thinks he was on the bag.

rsg · #10 10-21-2009, 09:40 PM

SHHHHHHH!!!! Boy, where are all you A ROD bashers now? The man is hotttt!!