AP MFY IGT - 2006

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

I can only hope that the Yankees will respond by playing as well for him as the Mets did for Howe.

[Gwreck]

Checking the scores online, I see it's 4-4 in the Toronto-NYY game in the 10th so I turn it on...only to see Vernon Wells hit the walkoff against Rivera.

Great moment, certainly, but somehow it's the only homer he's allowed all season. Damn.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Did anyone watching this game notice the skinny longhaired guy sitting in the front row behind home plate?

Geddy Lee.

Go Jays! This series could make/break their whole season.

[Frayed Knot]

Prior to the Wells walk-off last night, the Jays' comeback (Yanx led 3-0 at one point) was fueled by another ARod poor decision/throw. He went home (and threw wide) with a runner on 3rd, 1 out, and a 3-run lead.
Now it wasn't him who then gave up 3 or 4 hits immediately after that which is what eventually tied it up, but that didn't stop Mussina from commenting on the play afterward.
And while I'm not usually one who thinks these kinds of streaks of bad play from good players are dire signs of anything except bad stretches - this one is starting to snowball a bit, complete with fan backlashes and possible estrangements from teamates. It's not yet Knoblauch-ian in proportion, but I'm starting to think that there really is something "in his head" as the pop-psychologists like to say.


The other thing I've noticed in the last 3 or 4 Yanqui games I've seen or seen part of, is that the opponents seem to be in a contest to see how many outs they can run into during a game. And it's not just caught stealings but also other versions of boneheaded base-running plays.
Even the batter right before Wells last night had singled ... and then was immediately caught stealing by about 5 feet. Didn't matter as it turned out but I woulda been pissed if Vernon's shot had bounced [u:773abf91b2]off[/u:773abf91b2] the wall instead of clearing it.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Weird game all around. The Jays led 4-3 in the top of the 8th and Halladay still on the mound. He got the first 2 guys out so with 2 out and no on, Gibby brought in BJ Ryan who proceeded to give up a walk and two singles allowing the MFYs to tie it.

[metirish]

] "All he had to do was throw it on target and the guy was out by 20 feet," Mussina said.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Note to fans... booing a guy blue doensn't help him make good choices.

[Centerfield]

It's amazing. The minute A-Rod made that error last night, you knew it was going to end up on the cover despite the fact that it did not tie the game or give the Jays the lead.

Imagine if that had been a Jeter error with Armando giving up the HR in the 10th...I wonder who would have been labeled "choker".

[metirish]

Brain Cashman is probably thinking to himself " nothing gets said when David Wright makes an error"..

[Frayed Knot]

'Nother throwing error by ARod tonight - led to a run.

He's suddenly throwing sidearm with a goofy little "flippy" motion ... and his footwork looks awful.

[metirish]

] Sunday, July 23, 2006 By BOB KLAPISCH It's no secret that Alex Rodriguez has sunk to the bottom of a cesspool filled by self-doubt. There were four more strikeouts Saturday against the Blue Jays, and before that, five errors in five games -- a streak that was effectively halted when Joe Torre limited A-Rod to designated hitter duties for eight innings. Smart manager, freezing his troubled third baseman the way Wall Street temporarily stops trading during a crash. Like the stock market, everyone assumes A-Rod will recover. Or will he? By now, Rodriguez has been so thoroughly crushed by Derek Jeter in the PR referendum, the side-by-side comparison no longer merits debate: Yes, Jeter is hipper, cooler and more dependable in the clutch, even with less talent. So now it's time for Jeter to help the beleaguered Rodriguez. And that means doing more than just mouthing empty platitudes that "Alex will be fine" and that, "I can't tell [booing] fans what to do." Anyone can sense the distance between Jeter and Rodriguez; the much-heralded friendship that flourished when the two were the game's youngest star shortstops is history now. There are a number of reasons Jeter and Rodriguez stopped hanging out. One is married, the other is still single. Jeter has a cold-blooded side to him, both athletically and socially. He is unafraid. Rodriguez, on the other hand, is obsessed with what others think of him. Jeter decided he could no longer put up with what he considered A-Rod's fatal flaw. Still, that doesn't mean Jeter should be watching in silence while Rodriguez comes apart. It's time for him to act as captain and become A-Rod's advocate, the same way he and other Bombers defended Jason Giambi in 2005. No one agreed with what Giambi had been caught doing (taking steroids), but the Yankees' position was nevertheless swift and forward-thinking: He's one of ours, teammates said of Giambi. We stand by him. Jeter has so far avoided making that proclamation on Rodriguez's behalf, and the absence of a public vote of confidence has made A-Rod's misery with the fans that much more pronounced. All it would take is a simple but clearly-worded reminder that the Yankees need a productive A-Rod to catch the Red Sox, and the game-by-game, at-bat by at-bat assault on Rodriguez actually might let up. This isn't to say A-Rod gets a pass for his horrendous play of late. The way he's misplaying grounders, the Yankees are better off with him as the DH. And those four strikeouts on Saturday, each one progressively uglier, tell you Rodriguez needs more than a hitting instructor. He needs a sports psychologist. You see it in how tightly he grips the bat. You see how much slower his swing has become, his muscles overloaded with tension. Even the exaggerated deep breaths before he steps to the plate suggest the pressure has gotten to Rodriguez. But it's also unfair that Rodriguez takes heat for every decision he makes, including sunbathing in Central Park. It was Rodriguez's bad luck that a picture of him and his family ended up in the New York Post earlier in the week. For those who already can't stand the third baseman, the photo of him without a shirt made him look silly and vain, and the fact that his afternoon in the park was followed by three errors that night only further indicted him. But what crime has Rodriguez committed other than to slump while the Yankees are in second place? It says something that only general manager Brian Cashman has taken up A-Rod's cause, reminding critics that the third baseman, on his way someday to 800 homers and 3,000 hits, doesn't take steroids, plays hard and is still the best third baseman the team has ever had. But that line of defense doesn't seem to count for much in the clubhouse. One veteran sarcastically asked a group of reporters on Tuesday, "Hey, did you guys make it to the team party in Central Park?" It was an obvious reference to A-Rod and his self-absorbed ways. This culture of finding fault with Rodriguez is ultimately Jeter's responsibility. It's part of his job description to promote clubhouse unity. He doesn't have to like Rodriguez to make sure the team is going in one direction. Ultimately, it will be up to A-Rod to rescue himself from this personal nightmare. He's so awful right now that even middle-of-the-plate, 88-mph fastballs look overwhelming. His swing is loopy and late. His release point is equally unnatural for a third baseman, throwing sidearm like a shortstop in a hurry. The Yankees need A-Rod to stop panicking and rediscover the talent that's made him the most gifted player in the game. Maybe that's impossible. Maybe Rodriguez really is too soft for New York. That's why a hoax rumor last week that had A-Rod going to the Phillies made it all the way to Rodriguez's locker, where he denied wanting to be traded. Truth is, the Yankees and A-Rod will remain married for the remainder of his contract, just as Jeter will retire in pinstripes. Considering everyone's here to stay, it wouldn't hurt for the left side of the infield to join forces. Or at least pretend. E-mail: klapisch@northjersey.com

[Centerfield]

There are a number of reasons Jeter and Rodriguez stopped hanging out. One is married, the other is still single. Jeter has a cold-blooded side to him, both athletically and socially. He is unafraid. Rodriguez, on the other hand, is obsessed with what others think of him. Jeter decided he could no longer put up with what he considered A-Rod's fatal flaw.

What a bunch of garbage. I hate how A-Rod is painted as some sensitive weenie while Jeter is canonized. Jeter bristled at the comparisons as it became more and more obvious that A-Rod's superior power numbers and superior (at the time) defense made him head and shoulders above Jeter. Jeter bristled more when A-Rod basically mirrored that sentiment by saying Jeter doesn't warrant as much money because of the lack of power.

Jeter cares what people think about him just as much as A-Rod. Especially when people think A-Rod is better.

Still, that doesn't mean Jeter should be watching in silence while Rodriguez comes apart. It's time for him to act as captain and become A-Rod's advocate, the same way he and other Bombers defended Jason Giambi in 2005.

Of course he shouldn't, but he is because anyone who is watching can see that little rat is taking some pleasure in watching A-Rod's struggles. He is feeling vindicated (although not rightly so) by A-Rod's errors because there were many who said it should have been Jeter who should have moved. (A-Rod, once upon a time, was a Gold Glover at SS).

One veteran sarcastically asked a group of reporters on Tuesday, "Hey, did you guys make it to the team party in Central Park?" It was an obvious reference to A-Rod and his self-absorbed ways.

Was it Bob? Or was it a dig on the media for making news out of A-Rod's private time with his family?

[Guest Edgy DC]

"I really expected something from Sidney today," Torre said, "and he just didn't look like he had any command at all."

'We got our brains beat in here,' said Johnny Damon.

[Elster88]

]You see it in how tightly he grips the bat. You see how much slower his swing has become, his muscles overloaded with tension. Even the exaggerated deep breaths before he steps to the plate suggest the pressure has gotten to Rodriguez.

Crap like this cracks me up. It's amazing how every reporter and mediot can judge body language like a 40-year CIA veteran, and how they always find exactly what they need to support their viewpoint.

In fact ARod's been doing the "exaggerated deep breaths" since Seattle. (And I think he hit like .425 in the '99 Seattle-Yank series.)

[Guest Edgy DC]

I like how a downward tick in batspeed can be measured --- and the source of it isolated --- by an amateur's naked eye.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

All in all, a good weekend for Toronto, who took 3 of 4 from the MFYs while the Sox lost 2 of 3 to Seattle.

4.5 games separate the top 3 in the AL East, coulda been a lot more.


I'm behind the Jays here. If thery get a shortstop they could be trouble with a capital T which rhymes with P and that stands for Psomas.

What?

[Guest Edgy DC]

I was just casually entertaining who might be in the market for him, and I realized that A-Rod in Houston --- all specualtion here, I have no idea what they could offer for him ---- would burn through tthe record book in about two years.

[Guest Iubitul]

"Anyone can sense the distance between Jeter and Rodriguez; the much-heralded friendship that flourished when the two were the game's youngest star shortstops is history now. "

Wait a minute - A-Rod was blasted for missing a party that he was supposed to host with David Wright, because he was having dinnder with Jeter. Can't have it both ways here.

[Centerfield]

By now, Rodriguez has been so thoroughly crushed by Derek Jeter in the PR referendum, the side-by-side comparison no longer merits debate: Yes, Jeter is hipper, cooler and more dependable in the clutch, even with less talent.

I can't speak to who is hipper or cooler, I will leave that to experts like Klapisch, but as far as hitting in the clutch, here's what I see.

ESPN has close and late stats going back to 2002. From 2002 to present, A-Rod is 97 for 379 in the clutch. Jeter is 90 for 351.

That works out to .256 for both players. So much for that.

Klapisch is right about one thing...considering the difference in power numbers, it seems obvious that Jeter has less talent.

Oh well, at least he's "hipper".

[stevejrogers]

Yabut, Yabut, every time Jeter (or Ortiz depending on who is saying this statement) always "does something" in walkoff situations

SC=100% (percentage a guy like ARod should get in his first year on the HOF ballot, Jeter and Ortiz not even close)

[Guest Edgy DC]

]No one agreed with what Giambi had been caught doing (taking steroids), but the Yankees' position was nevertheless swift and forward-thinking: He's one of ours, teammates said of Giambi. We stand by him.

A convenient stance that they had little alternative in taking.

]The way he's misplaying grounders, the Yankees are better off with him as the DH.

A-Rod at DH with Giambi at first and Phillips (or Cairo) at third is a better alignment for the rest of the season than A-Rod at third, Giambi DH-ing, and Phillips at first?

[Elster88]

SteveJRogers wrote: SC=100% (percentage a guy like ARod should get in his first year on the HOF ballot, Jeter and Ortiz not even close)

Jeter should be a first ballot HOFer too. A lot of basehits over the years. As much as it gets overhyped, he actually does have some key playoff hits in his career.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Jeter and Arod are both Hall of Famers, Bernie could be, and Mariano is, and Torre is, and Johnson is, and Mussina and Giambi are longshots but have a chance.

And they can barely stay out of third place.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Don't forget HoF candidate Shef on the DL.

[Elster88]

Johnny Dickshot wrote: Jeter and Arod are both Hall of Famers, Bernie could be, and Mariano is, and Torre is, and Johnson is, and Mussina and Giambi are longshots but have a chance. And they can barely stay out of third place.

That's a little misleading.

[metirish]

Steve Phillips thinks they should trade A-Rod,that it's even being talked about is fascinating.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/cs-060723rogers,1,4103722.column?coll=cs-cubs-utility

]ESPN analyst Steve Phillips, former general manager of the New York Mets, believes the Yankees should deal Rodriguez. "It's become the thing to do in New York to boo Alex Rodriguez," Phillips said Sunday night. "When that happens in New York, it doesn't stop. Now you see it's impacting his performance. Ultimately I don't see how he gets out of this rut. I think they have to trade him."

[stevejrogers]

Elster88 wrote: ="SteveJRogers"]SC=100% (percentage a guy like ARod should get in his first year on the HOF ballot, Jeter and Ortiz not even close) Jeter should be a first ballot HOFer too. A lot of basehits over the years. As much as it gets overhyped, he actually does have some key playoff hits in his career.

True, my point was more geared towards the percentage of writers who will actually vote for him.

Yes I agree thats one of the dumbest thing in the history of dumb things to worry about, (and despite the guy who still holds the highest percentage I really don't) but there are voters who actually will not vote for a player their first year on the ballot, no matter who they are, and ARod is one of those who won't have a whole bunch of dumb writers (either young or old) arguing his worth like Jeter probably will because people who never really saw him play will view him as a "compiller"

[Guest Edgy DC]

]"Ultimately I don't see how he gets out of this rut. I think they have to trade him."

It's a far cry from you not seeing the end of the road to there not being one. Mr. Phillips, don't run my team any more.

[Elster88]

metirish wrote: Steve Phillips thinks they should trade A-Rod,that it's even being talked about is fascinating. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/cs-060723rogers,1,4103722.column?coll=cs-cubs-utility ]ESPN analyst Steve Phillips, former general manager of the New York Mets, believes the Yankees should deal Rodriguez. "It's become the thing to do in New York to boo Alex Rodriguez," Phillips said Sunday night. "When that happens in New York, it doesn't stop. Now you see it's impacting his performance. Ultimately I don't see how he gets out of this rut. I think they have to trade him."

It's fascinating to me too. We are talking about a guy who at current projections could be one of the best players in history. He sure as hell is a better fielder than Barry, even considering his recent lapses, if you want to give Barry the edge in hitting.

Basically, Yankee fans suck. A lot of Met fans do too, though, sadly.

[MFS62]

IMO, there's something going on between Jeter and A-Rod. When the steroid stories surfaced, Captain Clutch almost stained his Captian's crotch leading the team's vocal support of Giambi. But he has been silent in any efforts to support his teammate duting the recent slump and subsequent fan and press reaction. There should have been at least one quote saying something like "he is a great player, and his other teammates and I are sure he'll snap out of it soon."

But there has been nada, zippo, zilch from him.

Later