A-Rod's first series

[SD Bomber Fan]

After watching the first series of the season, I realized that it was a microcosm of everything that I believe about A-Rod. On the surface, he had a great series. He went 5 for 13, and had 5 RBIs, and a grand slam. He had an OBP of .467. Terriffic. Unfortunately, a closer look shows what really happened: He got 3 of his 5 hits and all of his RBIs in a game that the Yanks won by 13 runs. In the second game of the series (one that the Yanks lost by 1 run) he came to the plate with runners on 2nd and 3rd and no outs, and struck out (not that he was the only culprit there). Later in the game, he did get a single with Shef on second and two outs, but didn't drive in the run, and got thrown out on a baserunning error. (I'm guessing that he gets credit for a hit with a RISP, even though the run didn't score, and he made the 3rd out.) In his last 2 at bats, he struck out with a runner on 2nd, and grounded out with a runner on 2nd. In game three, he didn't get a hit, grounded into a DP, and struck out with a runner on 2nd.

Now I certainly recognize that this is only one series, and that there were plenty of other Yankees who failed to perform in key situations. My point here is that A-Rod consistently produces MVP numbers, but somehow still misses the mark. At the end of the season (or even at the mid-season point) we can look back and bring out all the statistics that show how great A-Rod is. However, the statistics don't always tell the story, and this series was to me a block of classic A-Rod: great numbers, little real impact. Fortunately, he has the rest of the season to prove me wrong.

[Budtaff]

After watching the first series of the season, I realized that it was a microcosm of everything that I believe about A-Rod. On the surface, he had a great series. He went 5 for 13, and had 5 RBIs, and a grand slam. He had an OBP of .467. Terriffic. Unfortunately, a closer look shows what really happened: He got 3 of his 5 hits and all of his RBIs in a game that the Yanks won by 13 runs. In the second game of the series (one that the Yanks lost by 1 run) he came to the plate with runners on 2nd and 3rd and no outs, and struck out (not that he was the only culprit there). Later in the game, he did get a single with Shef on second and two outs, but didn't drive in the run, and got thrown out on a baserunning error. (I'm guessing that he gets credit for a hit with a RISP, even though the run didn't score, and he made the 3rd out.) In his last 2 at bats, he struck out with a runner on 2nd, and grounded out with a runner on 2nd. In game three, he didn't get a hit, grounded into a DP, and struck out with a runner on 2nd.

Now I certainly recognize that this is only one series, and that there were plenty of other Yankees who failed to perform in key situations. My point here is that A-Rod consistently produces MVP numbers, but somehow still misses the mark. At the end of the season (or even at the mid-season point) we can look back and bring out all the statistics that show how great A-Rod is. However, the statistics don't always tell the story, and this series was to me a block of classic A-Rod: great numbers, little real impact. Fortunately, he has the rest of the season to prove me wrong.

It's why you really need to see a guy play everyday to understand his full value to the team. 90% of the guys who vote for MVP only know this about ARod's stats. They don't see him everyday.

[Mattingly]

It should be noted that when A-Rod hit his slam, the score was about 3-0. His HR officially blew the game open.

Yes, I do wish that he'd hit more in the next two games. However, after a blowout, everyone's tired. I think they should've all been removed after the 7th inning.

I'd like to see him drive in a few runs in very close games. The season has just begun, so I can't say what he'll do down the road. He could have a great series in Anaheim, but he could also have a poor one. It's up to him to rise to the challenge. Right now, there's very little to go on, other than 3 games.

[DoubleX]

This is ridiculous. Is it A-Rod's fault that the team left nearly 30 runners on base in 3 games? Is it A-Rod's fault that Sheffield and Posada in particular kept tanking with runners in scoring position (A-Rod often being one of those runners)? Is it A-Rod's fault that Jeter and Cano made fielding errors at key times? Is it A-Rod's fault that Torre brought in Proctor and Wright?

The expectations on A-Rod are unreal. One man cannot do it all. When a team loses 9-4, that has nothing to do with just one player (unless that player is a pitcher that just completely stunk). You take A-Rod off last year's team and that team doesn't the make the playoffs. He basically carried that sorry team for the first three months of the season.

[DoubleX]

If you add up all the runners that every batter LOB (instead of just how many runners were LOB per inning), the Yankees as a team, combined to leave 57 runners on base. You're going to pin that on A-Rod?! Do you know how many of those 57 A-Rod left? 8. He left 1/24 in Game 1, 5/22 in Game 2, and 2/11 in Game 3. Here's how everyone else faired, and then tell me why A-Rod should be singled out for the failure to win here more than anyone else?

Johnny Damon: 2
Derek Jeter: 3
Gary Sheffield: 8
Bubba Crosby: 2
Alex Rodriguez: 8
Jason Giambi: 6
Andy Phillips: 2
Hideki Matsui: 4
Jorge Posada: 9
Bernie Williams: 7
Robinson Cano: 6

It seems to me thaht Sheffield, Giambi, Posada, Williams, and Cano all had their share of futility as well. This was a team failure.

It's just completely ridiculous to think that a player can put up the type of numbers that A-Rod does on a yearly basis and to think that they do not have a positive effect on the team. The numbers are just too prolific.

[SD Bomber Fan]

This is ridiculous. Is it A-Rod's fault that the team left nearly 30 runners on base in 3 games? Is it A-Rod's fault that Sheffield and Posada in particular kept tanking with runners in scoring position (A-Rod often being one of those runners)? Is it A-Rod's fault that Jeter and Cano made fielding errors at key times? Is it A-Rod's fault that Torre brought in Proctor and Wright?

If you had read my post, you would note that I never mentioned that it was A-Rod's fault that the team lost the last two games of the series. I fully understand that the rest of the team performed poorly. I was merely stating that this three game series was a capsule of what I believe A-Rod is all about - great numbers with little value.

It should be noted that when A-Rod hit his slam, the score was about 3-0. His HR officially blew the game open.

It should also be noted that the GS was in the top of the 2nd inning, with 0 outs, and the Yanks already up by 3 runs against a pitcher who was clearly struggling. Five months from now, the Yanks will be in a pennant race. And there will come a time when A-Rod will step up to the plate in the 8th inning w/ bases loaded and two outs, down by two runs. Let's hope he can get the same result then.

[DoubleX]

If you had read my post, you would note that I never mentioned that it was A-Rod's fault that the team lost the last two games of the series. I fully understand that the rest of the team performed poorly. I was merely stating that this three game series was a capsule of what I believe A-Rod is all about - great numbers with little value.

And my point is that it's unfair single out and judge A-Rod on this series when everyone else on the team performed just the same way, and with the exception of Damon and Matsui, worse than A-Rod.

It's impossible for such prolific numbers to not have value over the course of a season.

It's amazing how the Yankees can have the best and most well-rounded player on the planet and fans still find a myriad of reasons to harp on his performance.

Why don't we just get rid of A-Rod? Do you think that's the solution? Certainly if you believe his prolific numbers have almost no value, you'd be fine with some journeyman veteran playing 3B for the Yankees instead of A-Rod

[Mattingly]

If you had read my post, you would note that I never mentioned that it was A-Rod's fault that the team lost the last two games of the series. I fully understand that the rest of the team performed poorly. I was merely stating that this three game series was a capsule of what I believe A-Rod is all about - great numbers with little value.

Basically, since it's the beginning of the season, people tend to pick up where they left off. I think it'll take awhile before he comes around and gets that 2-run single we need to win a game, but April is to me, an extended spring training. If in the 1st week of May, this is still an issue, then I think we've got a problem here.

It should also be noted that the GS was in the top of the 2nd inning, with 0 outs, and the Yanks already up by 3 runs against a pitcher who was clearly struggling. Five months from now, the Yanks will be in a pennant race. And there will come a time when A-Rod will step up to the plate in the 8th inning w/ bases loaded and two outs, down by two runs. Let's hope he can get the same result then.

No guarantees of any pennant race. I'd like to think so, but sometimes the Yanks just lost to poor teams. Check out being swept in a 4-gamer at Kaufman by the Royals in 2005.

It's games like that when we are down by a few runs, even if down by 3, if he can add 2 runs, then the game becomes within reach. If tied, a single run gives us a save opportunity, will surely affect the choie of available pitchers that Torre uses.

I agree with you that the timing of the offense is very important, per "timely hits". I just think it's too early to cast judgment upon him.

[TonyStarks]

It's kinda early....but seems like the ARod bashing has begun.

Some fans, even Yankee fans, will never be 100% happy with what ARod gives them.

I do not believe there are realistic numbers that ARod couuld reach that would make everyone happy unless he hits .378 with .538 OBP w/88 HRs & 256 RBIs. Oh and he cannot make any errors, but must make 3 outstanding plays a night.

Maybe we should bring back Charlie Hayes? Randy Velarde? Luis Aguayo? Aaron Boone? Mike Pagliaruolo? Mike Gallego?

[DoubleX]

It's kinda early....but seems like the ARod bashing has begun.

Some fans, even Yankee fans, will never be 100% happy with what ARod gives them.

I do not believe there are realistic numbers that ARod couuld reach that would make everyone happy unless he hits .378 with .538 OBP w/88 HRs & 256 RBIs. Oh and he cannot make any errors, but must make 3 outstanding plays a night.

Maybe we should bring back Charlie Hayes? Randy Velarde? Luis Aguayo? Aaron Boone? Mike Pagliaruolo? Mike Gallego?

I'm thankful you're around Tony to help keep A-Rod in perspective. I'd probably go insane around here if I was by myself.

[SD Bomber Fan]

There's a term applied to athletes called "intangibles." Many people don't believe in it. Usually, it is a positive thing to say that a player has intangibles. In simple terms, when a player has intangibles, it means that the player's value to the team is somehow greater than that player's individual numbers indicate that his value should be. In football, the term is applied to a guy like Tom Brady - he doesn't have gaudy numbers, but he almost always wins. Like it or not, in baseball the term is most closely linked with Derek Jeter. Jeter's two signature plays, the dive into the stands against the Red Sox in 2004, and play at the plate against the A's in the 2001 playoffs will never show up in a stat book. It would be hard to quantify the value of those plays, but they were both game changing, momentum swinging plays.

However, this is not about Jeter, and my criticisms of A-Rod are not because I somehow like Jeter more than A-Rod - Jeter is far from perfect. Please don't make the mistake of thinking that I will dislike A-Rod no matter what he does. It's just that I don't blindly look at his impressive numbers and applaud. My criticisms of A-Rod stem from the fact that I believe him to be the antithesis of an athlete with intangibles. A-Rod certainly puts up great numbers. However, I believe that the numbers he generates make him look more valuable than he really is. The reason I posted after the first series is because I believe that if you watch A-Rod throughout the season, you will see him have a large number of series like this, where he puts up great numbers, many of which are essentially meaningless (although I really hope that he proves me wrong). At the end of the season, everyone will look back in awe at his BA, RBIs, HRs, etc., and there will be no way to tell how much they helped the team. Obviously, some of his RBIs, HRs, etc. will help the team, but just not as much as the numbers would make us think.

By the way, I seem to remember Charlie Hayes catching a pop fly for the last out of a world series. I have yet to see A-Rod do that. The Yanks somehow managed to win when they had more role players and fewer A-Rods.

[TonyStarks]

However, this is not about Jeter, and my criticisms of A-Rod are not because I somehow like Jeter more than A-Rod - Jeter is far from perfect. Please don't make the mistake of thinking that I will dislike A-Rod no matter what he does. It's just that I don't blindly look at his impressive numbers and applaud. My criticisms of A-Rod stem from the fact that I believe him to be the antithesis of an athlete with intangibles. A-Rod certainly puts up great numbers. However, I believe that the numbers he generates make him look more valuable than he really is. The reason I posted after the first series is because I believe that if you watch A-Rod throughout the season, you will see him have a large number of series like this, where he puts up great numbers, many of which are essentially meaningless (although I really hope that he proves me wrong). At the end of the season, everyone will look back in awe at his BA, RBIs, HRs, etc., and there will be no way to tell how much they helped the team. Obviously, some of his RBIs, HRs, etc. will help the team, but just not as much as the numbers would make us think.

By the way, I seem to remember Charlie Hayes catching a pop fly for the last out of a world series. I have yet to see A-Rod do that. The Yanks somehow managed to win when they had more role players and fewer A-Rods.

SD, wouldn't you say it was Yankee pitching that lead to those Rings and the pitching hasn't been the same since the signing of Mussina? The bullpen was better then and so was the starting pitching. There was timely hitting from all over the lineup. Boggs, Bernie, Jeter, Darryl, Fielder, Chili, Paulie, Duncan, Spencer, Leyritz, Posada, Soriano, Tino and many others. And I do agree with you on the Yanks winning when they had more role players, but again you cannot blame ARod for the Yankees Championship-less years. I would blame the pitching and mainly the bullpen meltdowns.

You say your not bashing, but it seems like you keep picking on ARod?
It's like you have this thing for him, or so it seems. Maybe it's subliminal.
You say the Yanks won when they had fewer ARods....but before ARod came Giambi, Mussina, Matsui, and many others.
Why must you make it a point to note that the Yanks haven't won with 'ARods'?? There were plenty of All-Stars who passed thru the Bronx after 2001 and they didn't bring NY a championship.

So you wouldn't want someone who averages: .307AVG .385 OBP .577 SLG 44HR 125RBI 20+ Steals 127 Runs (Note: 151 Runs Created)
Where would the Yanks have been last season if not for ARod?

I could not find a listing of the Top Runs Creators by League...if anyone could find that info it would be greatly appreciated.

[SD Bomber Fan]

Why must you make it a point to note that the Yanks haven't won with 'ARods'??

Because you made the statement "Maybe we should bring back Charlie Hayes? Randy Velarde? Luis Aguayo? Aaron Boone? Mike Pagliaruolo? Mike Gallego?", meaning that the Yanks are much better off with A-Rod at 3rd base, as opposed to any of the people listed. If you listed a group of 1st basemen, I would have said that the Yanks haven't won with the Giambis.

As far as the pitching is concerned, I absolutely despise Mussina. He has quietly sucked up a good percentage of the Yank's $$$, with very little production. The rest of the pitching staff has been average at best. However, the Yankee braintrust has decided to try to win with offense, rather than pitching and defense. Fine. Unfortunately, the offense never seems to produce the way it's supposed to produce. If the Yanks were losing games 12-10, I would complain about the pitching. However, 4-3 losses with this lineup are unacceptable, especially when the Yanks can't buy a hit with runners in scoring position.

[TonyStarks]

Wells Yanks really stunk up the joint today again.
Sheff comes up bags full and 1 out and GIDP. *SMH*

I've also never really liked Moose.
They brought him in to be the Ace but I never really felt that Moose was an 'Ace' to begin with. He's been a bit above average in the Bronx while picking up one of the biggest paychecks for a pitcher.

As for ARod, I don't feel that he deserves to continue to take shots...especially from Yankee fans. ARod plays day in and day out and he produces. Although not at every single opportunity, he is still a force and run producing machine.

RC by the Line-Up for '05
Damon: 101
Jeter: 112
ARod: 151
Sheff: 112
Giambi: 94
Matsui: 115
Posada: 72
Cano: 76
Bernie: 58

[Dasperp]

I still can't believe people continue to act like A-Rod has never had big hits in the postseason. He had the key hits in two extra-inning wins in the 2004 ALDS, hit great in the first 3 games of the ALCS, and had what would have been the game-winning homer in game 4 if the Yanks' bullpen hadn't blown it. In the 2005 ALDS, he was pitched around so much that he had a .400+ OBP despite hitting below .200. The only times he has been truly bad in the postseason was the last 3 games of the 2004 ALCS, when Boston's pitching was absolutely great.

As for the argument about him only hitting well in blowouts, you're going to need to do some actual research to get me to believe that. All hitters have better stats in blowouts, sometimes the reason they're blowouts is because that particular player hits so well. Here's a link to a short analysis of the "A-Rod isn't clutch" argument: http://baseballcrank.com/archives2/2...l_the_bl_2.php

Among other things, it shows that in games the Yankees won by 4 runs or more A-Rod did most of his damage in his first and second PA's. The fact that him and his teammates piled on after he got things started doesn't mean we should say those hits early in the game weren't important.

[AVA8]

I really dont understand why people, especially Yanks fans, are criticizing AROD for when he produces. Arod puts games out of reach often in the middle innings, something our crapy bullpen really needs. Also, I can think of a lot of players on the yanks that are getting paid and havent come close to earning their money over the last few years - moose, bernie, giambi, posada. Can we give arod a break?

[DoubleX]

Among other things, it shows that in games the Yankees won by 4 runs or more A-Rod did most of his damage in his first and second PA's. The fact that him and his teammates piled on after he got things started doesn't mean we should say those hits early in the game weren't important.

Great point, runs in the early innings count just the same as runs in the late innings. I used this example last year:

- A-Rod hits a 2-run bomb in 4th to put the Yankees up 3-1, but then grounds out in the 8th with the game 3-3. And on that same day...

- Ortiz is hitless in his first three ABs, then hits a homerun in the 8th to tie the game for the Sox at 3-3.

In the end, both homeruns had the same effect, contributing 2 runs in a 3-3 game in the 8th.

[pacewon]

Put my name down on the DoubleX/Tony Starks/Dasperp bandwagon... I think the A-Rod bashing is patently absurd. His career postseason OPS is .927. That's better than almost every active player I can think of besides Pujols and Ortiz (and Ortiz is only slightly higher at .935). His Close & Late OPS from 2003-2005 is .945.

It's become comical to me how many people bash him as somebody who isn't "clutch", when the numbers prove the exact opposite. He's the best friggin player in the game, he plays for our team, and still he doesn't receive the appreciation he deserves.

[KCGHOST]

Even Yankee fans recognize how sleazy Arod's manuevers were to get out of Texas. They are glad to have him, but they aren't going to let him into their hearts as long as Jeter is productive.

[SD Bomber Fan]

I think the A-Rod bashing is patently absurd. His career postseason OPS is .927. That's better than almost every active player I can think of besides Pujols and Ortiz (and Ortiz is only slightly higher at .935). His Close & Late OPS from 2003-2005 is .945.

It's become comical to me how many people bash him as somebody who isn't "clutch", when the numbers prove the exact opposite. He's the best friggin player in the game, he plays for our team, and still he doesn't receive the appreciation he deserves.

A. A-Rod's numbers with other teams don't matter one bit. You may as well use his high school numbers to prove your point. Kevin Brown had great numbers with other teams. I will appreciate him when he does something as a Yankee.

B. If you read the initial post, the point being made was that, using this first series as a sample, A-Rod's great numbers make him look more valuable than he really is. I would break down the second series as well, but it's painfully obvious what happened: A-Rod went 0-7 in the two losses, and then pounded the ball in a 10-1 win, when everyone on the team was hitting the ball. The Yanks could have used a hit in the 8th inning of Saturday's game, with Sheffield on 2nd and 2 outs, but A-Rod grounded out. So in two series this year, we see the same thing: A-Rod hits when everybody is hitting, and disappears when his team needs him to hit - yet you look at his numbers and you would think that he is carrying the team. Granted, other Yankees (Sheffield, Giambi, etc) failed to hit as well. However, he is the reigning MVP. One thing about A-Rod: he certainly knows how to make hay while the sun is shining.

[TonyStarks]

Even Yankee fans recognize how sleazy Arod's manuevers were to get out of Texas. They are glad to have him, but they aren't going to let him into their hearts as long as Jeter is productive.

ARod's move outta Texas was a Win-Win for all parties involved.
Maybe slightly better for the Yanks on 2nd thought.
Soriano was very productive for the Rangers and he did bring them a decent pitcher in trade.

[pacewon]

Even Yankee fans recognize how sleazy Arod's manuevers were to get out of Texas. They are glad to have him, but they aren't going to let him into their hearts as long as Jeter is productive.

What's funny is that people try to make it seem like A-Rod forced Hicks to give him all that money or something. He didn't. Hicks gave him that deal because he's an idiot. A-Rod's "sleazy manuevers" to get out of Texas included being willing to sacrifice as much money from the deal as he could to go to Boston, which didn't work out, and later to switch positions and surrender his opportunity to become the greatest shortstop who ever played the game.

[pacewon]

A. A-Rod's numbers with other teams don't matter one bit. You may as well use his high school numbers to prove your point. Kevin Brown had great numbers with other teams. I will appreciate him when he does something as a Yankee.

B. If you read the initial post, the point being made was that, using this first series as a sample, A-Rod's great numbers make him look more valuable than he really is. I would break down the second series as well, but it's painfully obvious what happened: A-Rod went 0-7 in the two losses, and then pounded the ball in a 10-1 win, when everyone on the team was hitting the ball. The Yanks could have used a hit in the 8th inning of Saturday's game, with Sheffield on 2nd and 2 outs, but A-Rod grounded out. So in two series this year, we see the same thing: A-Rod hits when everybody is hitting, and disappears when his team needs him to hit - yet you look at his numbers and you would think that he is carrying the team. Granted, other Yankees (Sheffield, Giambi, etc) failed to hit as well. However, he is the reigning MVP. One thing about A-Rod: he certainly knows how to make hay while the sun is shining.

A) I used his 3-year splits to avoid the problem of a small sample, but if you don't mind that, his Close & Late numbers with the Yankees last year were .293/.418/.520/.938. Very very good. I guess you don't have to accept his postseason stats from other teams, since it's convenient for your argument, but it certainly does disspell the idea that he does not come through in the clutch.

B) You should read the article that Dasper linked to:

http://baseballcrank.com/archives2/2...l_the_bl_2.php

Your response to that should be intriguing.

[TonyStarks]

What's funny is that people try to make it seem like A-Rod forced Hicks to give him all that money or something. He didn't. Hicks gave him that deal because he's an idiot. A-Rod's "sleazy manuevers" to get out of Texas included being willing to sacrifice as much money from the deal as he could to go to Boston, which didn't work out, and later to switch positions and surrender his opportunity to become the greatest shortstop who ever played the game.

Amen Pace.
ARod was more than willing to take ATL's offer, you cannot blame him for taking Hicks offer. Anyone sane person would have took the deal.

ARod was doing everything possible to leave Texas including giving up some dough which the MLBPA would not allow.

[Dasperp]

SD, you continue to ignore his numerous clutch hits. He won two games in the 2004 ALDS and hit the go ahead homer in game 4 of the ALCS. Is it his fault the Yanks blew thar game? How about the huge ninth-inning homers last year against Schilling and Wickman? Analyzing what people do in wins versus losses is ridiculous, of course people hit better in wins. A-Rod's homerun yesterday didn't matter because his teammates kept hitting? You seem to be going towards the argument that A-Rod can only hit bad pitching. Well, against Minnesota, Oakland, Anaheim, Chicago, and Cleveland last year he hit .364/.445/.706. Can you present any evidence of your opinion other than what he's done in 6 games so far this season?