They used to call him A-FRAUD. Now it’s more like A-GOD.
Last year he was ridiculed. Now his revival is all the rage.
His stats read like Joaquim Villagomez. Never heard of him? That’s because he’s a created player on your XBOX 360 hard drive.
Now that we’re officially out of April (and can put the Yankees’ miserable 9-14 start behind us), let's look back and appreciate Alex Rodriguez’s stunning transformation from “Most Likely to Hit into a Double Play” to “Most Likely to Live Up to Lofty Expectations”.
His line after 24 games and 97 at-bats (figures include NYY versus TEX on 5/1/07):
Average .371
Home Runs 14
RBI 34
Runs Scored 28
On Base Percentage .432
Slugging .887
Hits 36
Doubles 8
Total Bases 86
BB 10
Strikeouts 23
He wound up tying the MLB record for most HR in April (Phat Albert) and in second place for most RBI in a month (Juan Gone). And the impact he’s made is not just in the record books. Two of his homeruns were earth-shattering walk-offs the Yankees desperately needed, considering their sluggish start and pitching woes.
What could have triggered A-Rod’s assault on the opposition? Was he simply tired of the constant nagging and decided to take his frustrations out on the hardball? Has A-Rod finally stopped thinking at the plate? Did he listen to Gary Sheffield's pre-season prediction that he would once again put up MVP-like numbers and see it as a challenge? Is it the shortenend swing?
Whatever it is (if you have any ideas of your own, please share), there's one thing Yankee fans will agree on: It's about time. It's about time A-Rod lived up to the hype. Stepped to the plate focused and confident. played with the devil may care attitude of a 16 year old who's practiced so much, there's nothing left to think about. Just look, swing, run and appreciate the fact you do it way better than a lot of other folks. All doing it while it counts...
well, until the postseason. We'll see if this new A-Rod sticks around that long.
{c}
Friday, May 04, 2007
Friday, April 13, 2007
They should all wear Number 42.
As many baseball fans out there know by now, April 15th marks the 60th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking "The Show's" color barrier. As a gesture of respect, Ken Griffey Jr. contacted Major League Commissioner Selig and Robinson's widow Rachel and asked if he could wear Jackie's old number 42, which MLB retired in 1997 to mark the occasion. Once word of Griffey's gesture got around, other players (as suggested by the commissioner) decided to don Jackie's number, totaling over 200 ballplayers, and entire teams: Jackie's own Dodgers, plus the Cardinals and Pirates.
Now some players like Tori Hunter and C.C. Sabathia saying that with so many players donning the big Cuarenta Y Dos this expanded celebration will water down the meaning of MLB's Jackie Robinson Day.
That, i say, is the most insane and ego driven thing I've ever heard.
How can as many people as possible wearing the number of a man who changed how America thought about racial equality in baseball and beyond be overkill?
If anything, everyone on a Major League roster should wear Number 42. Hell, the bat boys, umpires and cracker jack flingers in the upper deck should wear it, too.
Number 42 is much more than a number.
Number 42 is the ultimate numerical symbol for America's greatest gift: Opportunity.
That's why it's the only number in professional sports no player is allowed to wear. (except for Mariano Rivera, thanks to the built-in grandfather clause). The baseball gods have (wisely) decreed it impossible for anyone to do anything more important than what has already been done while wearing Number 42.
Number 42 belonged to a man who crashed through a barrier made of fear and hate, turned back and called for everyone to do the same. That bright red 42 Jackie wore was about looking past color and realizing that giving people the chance to realize their potential is all that matters.
{c}
Now some players like Tori Hunter and C.C. Sabathia saying that with so many players donning the big Cuarenta Y Dos this expanded celebration will water down the meaning of MLB's Jackie Robinson Day.
That, i say, is the most insane and ego driven thing I've ever heard.
How can as many people as possible wearing the number of a man who changed how America thought about racial equality in baseball and beyond be overkill?
If anything, everyone on a Major League roster should wear Number 42. Hell, the bat boys, umpires and cracker jack flingers in the upper deck should wear it, too.
Number 42 is much more than a number.
Number 42 is the ultimate numerical symbol for America's greatest gift: Opportunity.
That's why it's the only number in professional sports no player is allowed to wear. (except for Mariano Rivera, thanks to the built-in grandfather clause). The baseball gods have (wisely) decreed it impossible for anyone to do anything more important than what has already been done while wearing Number 42.
Number 42 belonged to a man who crashed through a barrier made of fear and hate, turned back and called for everyone to do the same. That bright red 42 Jackie wore was about looking past color and realizing that giving people the chance to realize their potential is all that matters.
{c}
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
.:NUMBER 2 SHOWS WHY YANKS ARE NUMBER 1:.
Of all the nicknames Derek Jeter's phenomenal play has inspired over the last 10 years, the only one that seems to stick is Captain Clutch. And last night he removed any doubt from the few non-faithful as to why that is. His scorching 5-5 performance (2 Singles, 2 Doubles, 1HR, 1 RBI, 3 runs scored) was the catalyst in a Yankee onslaught that delivered on the promise of high-octane offense to match the high intensity of the Yankee Stadium crowd. He is now one of six players to get five hits in one postseason game, joining fellow Yankee Hideki Matsui, who accomplished the feat in the 1994 ALDS. Of course, Abreu was the Yankee who capitalized on being in the 3-hole with 4 RBI of his own. But it was Jeter's seemingly relentless drive to get on base that reflected an urge to win that spilled over from his spot near the top of the lineup and drenched the Yanks with confidence and drive.
Jeter now holds the all-time postseason hits record with 147, a product of both the Yankees perennial precence in October play and his ability to take advantage of hit at-bats with an approach that holds fear at bay. He also owns second place all-time in postseason runs scored.
It was a beautful thing to watch. We'll see how he does tonight, although it'll be hard to match the opener.
Jeter now holds the all-time postseason hits record with 147, a product of both the Yankees perennial precence in October play and his ability to take advantage of hit at-bats with an approach that holds fear at bay. He also owns second place all-time in postseason runs scored.
It was a beautful thing to watch. We'll see how he does tonight, although it'll be hard to match the opener.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
BEANTOWN BEATDOWN: YANKS WHUP SOX IN 5-GAME SWEEP
Wow.
That's pretty much all I (or anyone else with a fully-functional oral cavity) can muster. Maybe I can borrow a word from New York's "other team" and simply say "Amazin".
As arrogant as the legions of Yanks and Sox fans may appear when one team's momentum eats away at the other, you'd have to be a bit too full of Bomber Swagger not to appreciate the humbling effect created by the Yankees historic display of power. 23 more runs than the Sox. 12 more hits than the Sox. A batting average .51 points higher. A record for consecutive games (3) scoring 12 or more runs at Fenway Park. Wow.
Right after the last win, a 2-1 squeaker that was a quiet finish for a series that started at high volume, I had to rub it in. Just a little. So i sent out a text message to some of my SoxFanFriends:
"Did your team just completely forget how to play baseball?"
The first response came from my boy Jim—he called 12 seconds after my phone beeped "Message Sent." He explained that Jason Varitek's absence was a big factor in the lopsided outcome, since he works so well with pitchers and has a presence on the field everyone feeds off of. (Never mind that he's only batting .243, which is also probably due to that knee he just had scoped.) i agreed, i think. (Things were a bit hazy yesterday afternoon.) But i probably mentioned that the sweep could have been broken up by Tim "I taught a baseball how to dance" Wakefield, a proven Yankee Beater.
After that, I received a text response from Tom: "I hate you and all that you stand for." I think that sums up Red Sox Nation's feelings right now.
The devastation is invisible, living in ink and graphite on beer-soaked scorecards and in the memories of those who saw it live, on television, on the Web, or checked their cell phone obsessively every 6 minutes from over 400 miles away. (That would be me). But it's also visible, in the downtrodden and awestruck collection of faces across the region. We were hoping to take 3 out of 5. We didn't expect to outhit, outpitch and outeverything the team that led the American League East for most of the season. All in the first 5-game sweep suffered by the Red Sox in over 50 years.
The season is far from over. But at least the Yankees are sitting comfortably in the driver's seat for the finale stretch.
Do the Red Sox have a winning streak in them to make this a close race?
That's pretty much all I (or anyone else with a fully-functional oral cavity) can muster. Maybe I can borrow a word from New York's "other team" and simply say "Amazin".
As arrogant as the legions of Yanks and Sox fans may appear when one team's momentum eats away at the other, you'd have to be a bit too full of Bomber Swagger not to appreciate the humbling effect created by the Yankees historic display of power. 23 more runs than the Sox. 12 more hits than the Sox. A batting average .51 points higher. A record for consecutive games (3) scoring 12 or more runs at Fenway Park. Wow.
Right after the last win, a 2-1 squeaker that was a quiet finish for a series that started at high volume, I had to rub it in. Just a little. So i sent out a text message to some of my SoxFanFriends:
"Did your team just completely forget how to play baseball?"
The first response came from my boy Jim—he called 12 seconds after my phone beeped "Message Sent." He explained that Jason Varitek's absence was a big factor in the lopsided outcome, since he works so well with pitchers and has a presence on the field everyone feeds off of. (Never mind that he's only batting .243, which is also probably due to that knee he just had scoped.) i agreed, i think. (Things were a bit hazy yesterday afternoon.) But i probably mentioned that the sweep could have been broken up by Tim "I taught a baseball how to dance" Wakefield, a proven Yankee Beater.
After that, I received a text response from Tom: "I hate you and all that you stand for." I think that sums up Red Sox Nation's feelings right now.
The devastation is invisible, living in ink and graphite on beer-soaked scorecards and in the memories of those who saw it live, on television, on the Web, or checked their cell phone obsessively every 6 minutes from over 400 miles away. (That would be me). But it's also visible, in the downtrodden and awestruck collection of faces across the region. We were hoping to take 3 out of 5. We didn't expect to outhit, outpitch and outeverything the team that led the American League East for most of the season. All in the first 5-game sweep suffered by the Red Sox in over 50 years.
The season is far from over. But at least the Yankees are sitting comfortably in the driver's seat for the finale stretch.
Do the Red Sox have a winning streak in them to make this a close race?
Friday, August 18, 2006
ONE SLAM WITH A GRAND PLACE IN YANKEE LORE
On today's ESPN.com, Tim Kurkjian writes about some quirky Grand Slam facts (click the headline above for a link to the article), led by Cleveland's Travis Hafner's six Grand Salamis this season. He's the first guy to achieve the feat in 19 years (Donnie "Baseball" Mattingly established the mark in 1987). In this rich laundry list of bases-loaded-tater-trivia, Kurkjian suggests only a few of these "Ultimate Dinger"s are etched in our memories as game clinchers. He writes:
"What is the most famous grand slam of all time? Think about it. Not one jumps to mind. Kirk Gibson, Carlton Fisk, Bill Mazeroski, Joe Carter, Reggie Jackson, Bobby Thomson -- none of those unforgettable home runs came with the bases loaded. You might think of 50 memorable home runs before you get to a grand slam. There have been 592 World Series games played, and there have been only 18 grand slams, or one every 33 games. Only one grand slam has ever been hit in the clinching game of a World Series, and Moose Skowron's seventh-inning shot in 1956 took the Yankees' 5-0 lead to 9-0. Ken Boyer's sixth-inning slam in Game 4 (the series went seven games) was big in 1964, Kent Hrbek's sixth-inning slam in Game 6 in 1987 was huge and Paul Konerko's seventh-inning slam in Game 2 last year erased a 4-2 deficit, and helped the White Sox to a sweep. But none of those slams was so gigantic that it will be etched in our minds forever."
But, there is one SuperTater Kurkjian omits from above with a nice place in the memory boxes of most Yankee Fans: Tino Martinez' upper deck shot into right in Game 1 of the 1998 World Series against the San Diego Padres. It obviously wasn't the deciding game, but it did establish the tone for the series, which the Yankees dominated in a sweep, which at the time was the first since the Reds blanked the A's in 1990. (I watched the game at a party in Chelsea, earlier that night in the hallway, i ran into two guys i went to high school with. I hadn't seen them since high school graduation; that should've tipped me off right there that this was going to be a night of rare occurences.)
Tino the Bambino's slam made it seem absolutely certain the Yankees were going to win the game and the Series. Down 5-2 after a poor showing by David Wells, the Yankees mounted a comeback in the 7th, which included a 3-run shot from Knoblauch before Martinez stepped in to drive that ball. it went so far up i thought it would wind up in Co-Op City. The stadium exploded in delight and the resulting shockwave (riding on the voice of Joe Buck) reached the living room i stood in, everyone imitating the Stadium crowd's flirtation with madness with jovial dances of our own. I still remember screaming and high-fiveing anyone within a 1-foot radius.
"What is the most famous grand slam of all time? Think about it. Not one jumps to mind. Kirk Gibson, Carlton Fisk, Bill Mazeroski, Joe Carter, Reggie Jackson, Bobby Thomson -- none of those unforgettable home runs came with the bases loaded. You might think of 50 memorable home runs before you get to a grand slam. There have been 592 World Series games played, and there have been only 18 grand slams, or one every 33 games. Only one grand slam has ever been hit in the clinching game of a World Series, and Moose Skowron's seventh-inning shot in 1956 took the Yankees' 5-0 lead to 9-0. Ken Boyer's sixth-inning slam in Game 4 (the series went seven games) was big in 1964, Kent Hrbek's sixth-inning slam in Game 6 in 1987 was huge and Paul Konerko's seventh-inning slam in Game 2 last year erased a 4-2 deficit, and helped the White Sox to a sweep. But none of those slams was so gigantic that it will be etched in our minds forever."
But, there is one SuperTater Kurkjian omits from above with a nice place in the memory boxes of most Yankee Fans: Tino Martinez' upper deck shot into right in Game 1 of the 1998 World Series against the San Diego Padres. It obviously wasn't the deciding game, but it did establish the tone for the series, which the Yankees dominated in a sweep, which at the time was the first since the Reds blanked the A's in 1990. (I watched the game at a party in Chelsea, earlier that night in the hallway, i ran into two guys i went to high school with. I hadn't seen them since high school graduation; that should've tipped me off right there that this was going to be a night of rare occurences.)
Tino the Bambino's slam made it seem absolutely certain the Yankees were going to win the game and the Series. Down 5-2 after a poor showing by David Wells, the Yankees mounted a comeback in the 7th, which included a 3-run shot from Knoblauch before Martinez stepped in to drive that ball. it went so far up i thought it would wind up in Co-Op City. The stadium exploded in delight and the resulting shockwave (riding on the voice of Joe Buck) reached the living room i stood in, everyone imitating the Stadium crowd's flirtation with madness with jovial dances of our own. I still remember screaming and high-fiveing anyone within a 1-foot radius.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Escape from Chicago: Johnson No-No Bid Turns into 7-6 Yanks Win
So far i've only posted about Randy Johnson once, that was his last impressive outing of the season in Texas. In this one, he definitely lived up to a reputation even taller than he is. The Big Unit stepped onto the mound in the Windy City and put the vaunted slugging White Sox bats to slumber through 6 2/3 innings, striking out 5 and walking 2. Johnson did not give up a hit until the 7th inning, when Tadahito Iguchi broke up his bid for a 3rd career no-hitter on a hanging slider he slapped through the left side of the infield. Johnson's last no-hitter was a Perfect Game on May 18, 2004 against the Atlanta Braves.
After that, it was obvious fatigue and mechanical failure were there to stay, and Torre pulled the Unit with no outs after he allowed 2 runs. Ron Villone came in and got out of a bases loaded jam to end the inning. while the Yankees had staked a 7-2 lead after an impressive show of power, the White Sox set off their own fireworks in the 8th. They battered Flamethrowin' Farnsworth, scoring 4 runs, including a 3-run blast from Joe Crede and a solo shot from Iguchi. Mariano Rivera then relieved Ron Villone and got A.J. Pierzinski to line a soft shot back to the mound to end the 8th. The 9th inning saw Mighty Mo plunk Brian Anderson to allow a base runner with only one out. He then came back to strike out leadoff man Scott Posednik and induce Jim Thome into a game ending force at second. Rivera earned his 29th save of the season and helped Johnson earn his 12th win.
Despite the nail-biting finish, the game began as a laugher. The Yankees offense got to John Garland early when Johnny Damon scored the first run on a single by Bobby Abreu in the top of the 1st. The Bombers then went yard with home runs by Melky Cabrera and Abreu in the 5th, and Robinson Cano in the 6th. The 7th saw Alex Rodriguez hit a single to score Andy Phillips, and Jorge Posada ground out to second to allow Jeter to come home and cap the scoring at 7. At the time, it seemed like just a little padding—and turned out to be the clincher in a surprisingly close one.
After that, it was obvious fatigue and mechanical failure were there to stay, and Torre pulled the Unit with no outs after he allowed 2 runs. Ron Villone came in and got out of a bases loaded jam to end the inning. while the Yankees had staked a 7-2 lead after an impressive show of power, the White Sox set off their own fireworks in the 8th. They battered Flamethrowin' Farnsworth, scoring 4 runs, including a 3-run blast from Joe Crede and a solo shot from Iguchi. Mariano Rivera then relieved Ron Villone and got A.J. Pierzinski to line a soft shot back to the mound to end the 8th. The 9th inning saw Mighty Mo plunk Brian Anderson to allow a base runner with only one out. He then came back to strike out leadoff man Scott Posednik and induce Jim Thome into a game ending force at second. Rivera earned his 29th save of the season and helped Johnson earn his 12th win.
Despite the nail-biting finish, the game began as a laugher. The Yankees offense got to John Garland early when Johnny Damon scored the first run on a single by Bobby Abreu in the top of the 1st. The Bombers then went yard with home runs by Melky Cabrera and Abreu in the 5th, and Robinson Cano in the 6th. The 7th saw Alex Rodriguez hit a single to score Andy Phillips, and Jorge Posada ground out to second to allow Jeter to come home and cap the scoring at 7. At the time, it seemed like just a little padding—and turned out to be the clincher in a surprisingly close one.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Time for a total SausageFest: Promote Chorizo!
Why should such a spicy sausage skilled in spanish have to languish in the minors?
The AP reported yesterday (click the headline for the link) how the Latin influence on the game has expanded to the mascot ranks with Chorizo, the newest competitor in the Klement's Sausage Race at Miller Park. I think it's great we have a south-of-the-border counterpart to Hot Dog, Bratwurst, Italian and Polish. But his only race this season will be on Saturday until he gets full-time work at every home game next year. Until then, he's in the minors. To that, I say "¿Que?" Let the wienerman run!
Is this just another case of The Man holding us down? Sure, we're good enough to run ballclubs ala Minaya, win MVPs ala A-Rod, and command dugouts ala Alou. But run around a ballpark in a foam costume and bust your buns trying to ketchup to your fellow weiners? That's when the head honchos step in and say: "Hey, slow down, "Spanish Guy". You're pushing it." (assuming the man inside the costume is as Latino as his second skin, if not, is he considered one when part of the total package?)
Putting my paranoia aside, maybe Milwaukee Brewer GM Doug Melvin is just looking out for Chorizo's best interests. Maybe after meeting with a personality coach they realized this Chorizo needed some Huevos, so they're giving him more time to cook. Perhaps he's not in playing shape and needs to run with other younglings on the Porkmeat Prospects. (We'll see if that's the case during the Brew Crew's tussle versus the Reds.) Or Melvin's avoiding a PR nightmare in this Post Steroid world and wants to hide an inconvenient truth: the man inside the giant squishy sombrero/sausage suit tested positive for HGH (Human Gag Hormone).
But i propose a simple measure to keep Chorizo out of the farm system and into everyone's digestive system: "Win and He's In." If the Latin Link burns the competition in his debut, he should earn an automatic spot. And whatever happens tomorrow, wiener be warned: No matter the success you find, behave yourself or you might get grilled by the media.
The AP reported yesterday (click the headline for the link) how the Latin influence on the game has expanded to the mascot ranks with Chorizo, the newest competitor in the Klement's Sausage Race at Miller Park. I think it's great we have a south-of-the-border counterpart to Hot Dog, Bratwurst, Italian and Polish. But his only race this season will be on Saturday until he gets full-time work at every home game next year. Until then, he's in the minors. To that, I say "¿Que?" Let the wienerman run!
Is this just another case of The Man holding us down? Sure, we're good enough to run ballclubs ala Minaya, win MVPs ala A-Rod, and command dugouts ala Alou. But run around a ballpark in a foam costume and bust your buns trying to ketchup to your fellow weiners? That's when the head honchos step in and say: "Hey, slow down, "Spanish Guy". You're pushing it." (assuming the man inside the costume is as Latino as his second skin, if not, is he considered one when part of the total package?)
Putting my paranoia aside, maybe Milwaukee Brewer GM Doug Melvin is just looking out for Chorizo's best interests. Maybe after meeting with a personality coach they realized this Chorizo needed some Huevos, so they're giving him more time to cook. Perhaps he's not in playing shape and needs to run with other younglings on the Porkmeat Prospects. (We'll see if that's the case during the Brew Crew's tussle versus the Reds.) Or Melvin's avoiding a PR nightmare in this Post Steroid world and wants to hide an inconvenient truth: the man inside the giant squishy sombrero/sausage suit tested positive for HGH (Human Gag Hormone).
But i propose a simple measure to keep Chorizo out of the farm system and into everyone's digestive system: "Win and He's In." If the Latin Link burns the competition in his debut, he should earn an automatic spot. And whatever happens tomorrow, wiener be warned: No matter the success you find, behave yourself or you might get grilled by the media.
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