In "Defense" of A-Rod
This is a very interesting piece of scientific research done by the New York Times. Bottom line: A-Rod makes Jeter a better shortstop and according to their statistics, is more valuable in terms of causing the Yankees wins than Jeter! Who knew? File that in the "Keep A-Rod" bin.
posted by TheJackSack at 4:35 PM
12 Comments:
You can't have offensive numbers that far above another player and not be more valuable, at least on paper. Now, there are intangibles that of course go Jeter's way. But whenever you put it down on paper, A-Rod is going to be better. Probably better than anybody. Maybe ever.
How about these Mets?
I don't know if you guys have been watching the games, but the Mets really stink. Jeff Weaver basically owned them. And he could have won Game 1 had he gotten *any* run support. I watched Beltran, Delgado and Wright take some pretty meaty pitches. They are playing tight and they have no more losses to give the Cards. Do you think they will come back to win two in a row?
Back to A-Rod...
I think you've pointed out the real frustration underlying his tenure with NY-- his numbers are extremely good. On paper, you look at him and say "Wow, he is truly an offensive powerhouse!" And then you look at the intangibles and that's where you begin to see a completely different picture. I don't know how you resolve that conflict. Here you have a guy that hits over 120-something RBIs and is considered a "bum" by the fans. Is it his complete lack of offense starting from Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS? Maybe. But he gets booed during the regular season as well. Maybe it's this A-Rod v. Jeter thing that we conjure up as a silly debate. Jeter's personality, his attitude his whole image is that of a guy who hits 40 HRs and bats in 120 runs. yet he is not that kind of hitter. And A-Rod, who owns those numbers, acts like he's a small-time player, talking about his "problems," going to therapists, being a media distraction, etc. It's almost as if A-Rod subconsciously does not want to be here, but he rationally has decided to be in NY to win the World Series and go down in pinstripe history. He's too mixed up. If they culd fix the problem, absolutely keep him here. But I'm skeptical that three years have come and gone and we're still waiting for him to "fit-in."
Good points. I'm not sure where that leaves us, because, as you said, the problem comes down to the psychology of both A-Rod and the fans. I'm not sure how to address that. I think it's up to guys like Torre and Jeter and A-Rod to do so.
Shit, Dan, Russians gonna find that sub before we get near it anyhow.
Scooter,
One thing-- Lou wouldn't state openly that they want a player on another team. Otherwise they would alienate Aramis and maybe even piss off Steinbrenner in the process.
But speaking of Aramis, it appears that he is not for the Cubs to deal-- Aramis has an opt-out clause in his contract so he can stop the whole "deal" if it ever dame to fruition. But upon deep inner-reflection, I have determined that if the Cubs do not offer Zambrano for A-Rod, I don't want to do a deal. And the odds of the Cubs offering Zambrano for A-Rod are about... zero.
If the Cubs trade Zambrano, Pinella might as well kick over a lantern on his way to Wrigley on Opening Day and burn down whole f'in city.
That's my belief.
Who posted comments and then deleted them?
And what did those comments say?
Dan, you didn't have to delete anything. If you look back through the archives, you will find dozens of failed attempts at being funny. At one point, I designated a fictional black man to manage my fantasy team and did not receive so much as a guffaw. Adam, to his immense credit, suffers through such failures weekly on this blog, but never gives up. So if you make a joke and no one says anything, don't worry. We appreciate the attempt.
It's true, not being funny is itself an amusing thing. Ask Ray Romano.
I did find plenipotentiary angel st clair to be funny.
Garbo,
The statute of limitations on finding A Tony Marcavage joke funny is about ten seconds. You're late, pal.
LATE.
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