Alex Rodriguez has faced a lot of criticism from Yankee fans since he arrived in New York, and you’d think that would have ended with this season, but, apparently, he still has something to prove in their eyes:
In the four years since Alex Rodriguez joined the Yankees, he has won an American League MVP award (with a second likely to follow next month), belted 183 home runs, driven in 513 runs and hit .303. The Bombers are 387-261, an impressive .597 winning percentage, reaching the postseason each year.
So why has A-Rod’s stay in New York been considered such a failure by many?
October. That’s why.
Whether it’s fair or not, A-Rod has been judged largely on his performance in the postseason. He was red-hot during his first eight playoff games in pinstripes, leading the Yankees past the Twins in the first round in 2004, then helping them jump out to a 3-0 lead against the Red Sox in the ALCS.
But what has happened in his last 12 postseason games is hard to forget and even harder to fathom.
Since Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS, Rodriguez is 4-for-41 (.098) with no RBI, while the Yankees are 3-9 in those games. Although A-Rod was hardly the only Yankee whose bat fell silent in the collapse against the Red Sox and the first-round ousters against the Angels and Tigers, he is the only one with a $252 million contract, which invites criticism that other players evade.
So what will this October hold for A-Rod, who has been the hottest hitter on the planet since the first day of the 2007 season? As far as his teammates are concerned, “It’s a brand new season,” said Mariano Rivera. “He’s put all that behind him and is living for what we have to do now. Whatever happened last year or the year before is done. I think he’s ready for this.”
Not only is A-Rod ready, but according to him, he’s looking forward to it.
“Look, New York is very simple; you play well, they’re gonna be happy. You don’t play well, they’re gonna be not as happy,” he said, “but you know what you get in New York. You’ve got to love it.
“That’s why I’m here. That’s why, when I had several offers to go any place this winter, I actually told (Brian) Cashman I wanted to be a Yankee and I didn’t want to go anywhere. I have some unfinished business in New York, and that’s probably the best decision I ever made.”
On some level, it’s unfair to put the fate of an entire team on one man’s shoulders, but Rodriguez seems ready to accept the challenge this time around. Let’s hope his teammates are there for him.
In other A-Rod news, People is reporting that Rodriguez and his wife are expecting another little Yankee:
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, 32, and his wife, Cynthia, 34, are expecting a baby next spring, they have revealed exclusively to PEOPLE.
“Cynthia and I are overjoyed to announce this addition to our family,” says the athlete. “We realize what a special gift children are, and feel very blessed to welcome our second child.”
The two-time American League MVP and his wife of nearly five years already have a daughter, Natasha, 2.
“I feel great!” Cynthia says, adding that they don’t yet know the sex of the baby, but will find out as soon as they can. “My daughter wants to know more than we do!”
“We’re just real excited,” she adds. “It’s almost more exciting [than the first child] in a way, because you can anticipate what you already know is so amazing. We’re thrilled. We can’t wait.”
Congratulations to the happy couple. And, oh yea, Go Yankees, Crush The Tribe !
