Posts Tagged ‘A-Rod’

Yes, I’m Posting About Juicing

Thursday, February 7th, 2013

I hate the subject of PEDs. I was over it when Lance Armstrong went on Oprah and I’m still over it. But I’d be negligent if I didn’t at least acknowledge that the Yankees have had a bad week with regard to all the news coming out of Miami, which appears to be the “anti-aging” capital of the world.

A-Rod said, “It’s all a mistake, a forgery.” Cervelli said, “I was just consulting Bosch about my rehab.” Jesus Montero said, “I seem to be caught in the middle of something.” Blah blah blah.

Who knows what the whole truth is. What I don’t understand is why the New Times newspaper can’t just turn over their documents to MLB and the Feds and let them take it from there. Why would a newspaper hang onto this stuff? Why do these investigations drag on forever? And, above all, why must athletes always be so desperate to gain an advantage?

Maybe if they had brains and a sense of self-worth, they would figure out a way to play their sport the best they can and then move on to “regular pursuits” like the rest of us have to.

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Gah! The A-Rod News.

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

It turns out that our third baseman has morphed into the scarecrow of “Wizard of Oz” fame – made of straw. As everyone knows by now, he’ll be having surgery on a torn labrum in his other hip, as opposed to the one that had gone to straw before. The timeline of all this is bizarre, but then drama is our guy Al’s middle name. Sigh.

So now what? The Yankees have a shortstop recovering from surgery, a third baseman going into surgery, no starting catcher, no starting right fielder and no utility infielder except Nunez – and a general manager whose mandate is to pull back on payroll.

Am I panicking? No. Cashman always manages to find people to fill holes. But I’m spoiled, I admit it. I want him to do more than fill holes….

 

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ALCS Game 2: The Agony and the Ecstasy

Saturday, October 13th, 2012

Actually, I should have worded it in reverse: The Ecstasy and the Agony.

First came Ibanez’s improbable homer in the bottom of the ninth and the reaction of my not-favorite-person Valverde.

I couldn’t believe Raul did it again. Could. Not. Believe. It.

But the ecstasy didn’t last. Not only could the Yankees not score any more runs, but – curiously – Girardi went to Phelps instead of using Robertson for another inning, and things unraveled quickly. I could go on about Swisher’s somersault in right, not to mention his failures at the plate along with Cano’s, or A-Rod getting pulled for Chavez when others were struggling even more, or how angry Pettitte looked when he came out of the game, but all I really care about right now is this.

Seeing Jeter go down felt like Mo all over again and, as it turns out, their situations aren’t dissimilar: Jeter’s fractured ankle means he’s done for the rest of the the season. It was so hard to watch him not get up, to cry out in pain, to lean on others to carry him off the field. I’m still sick about it as I type this.

But I remind myself that he had a brilliant year, and no broken ankle will take that away from him. The Yankees will carry on and do their best for their captain. That’s all we can ask for.

As for the media, they need to stop talking about Jeet as if he died. No more eulogies. Seriously.

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ALDS Game 3: Holy Ibanez !&*$%+_@!!!

Wednesday, October 10th, 2012

AL BELLO/GETTY IMAGES

There really are no words…

But I’ll find some.

Mystique and aura were alive and well at Yankee Stadium as tonight’s improbable 12th inning win demonstrated. Even though the Yanks were down 2-1 for much of the game, it felt like the score was 100-1. Kuroda was great on the big stage and got no run support, as usual. Every at bat, except two by Jeter and Martin, was an exercise in futility. And I’m talking about everyone’s at bats, not just A-Rod’s. When Jeter started hobbling around, I figured we were really in trouble. Even Mo’s presence, both on the mound for the ceremonial first pitch and in the dugout urging his teammates on, didn’t calm me.

And then, as if by a miracle, Girardi “went with his gut,” as he said in his post-game remarks. No binder. No matchup mumbo-jumbo. Just his instinct. And what did his instinct tell him in the bottom of the 9th? Pinch hit Ibanez for A-Rod. It was a bold move and look how it turned out.

Boom. Tie score. Suddenly, we had a ballgame.

D-Rob’s second inning of work in the top of the 12th nearly caused me to have a psychotic break. Why didn’t he get out of Tex’s way and let him catch that ball???? And then the bobble over to the first? Crazy making. But his pitching was impressive and he ended up with the win, thanks, of course, to Rauuuul.

When TBS first showed the homer, I swear I thought it was a replay of the first one. It was only when he was mobbed at home plate that it dawned on me that we’d won the game. Wow. Just wow.

Why Matusz would throw him anything good to hit I have no idea, but not my problem. I’m just so happy right now.

And I’m hoping Hughes will finish this series and give us a chance to breathe.

 

 

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Still #1

Sunday, September 23rd, 2012

Photo: AP/Seth Wenig

I missed the first few innings today while at a screening for “Trouble With the Curve” (see the Mainly Jane blog), but when I joined the game in the 5th inning or so, Kuroda was already on his way out. Not a good outing for him. I hope he’s not in the dreaded “dead arm” phase of the season.

I could harp on Eduardo Scissorhands – two errors, seriously – but what’s the point. I just wish Jeter could play shortstop from now on.

John Sterling drove me nuts with that call in the bottom of the 9th on A-Rod’s fly ball to the wall. “It is high, it is far, it is….caught.” He totally made me think the Yankees had tied the game, and I was so disappointed when he said the word “caught.” Ugh.

But thanks to the Red Sox, the Yanks go to Minny clinging to the division lead. It’s nail biting time, people.

 

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The Muscles Were Flexed!

Friday, September 7th, 2012

First Russell had muscle with that three-run shot to put the Yankees on the board. Whew. Then Pearce, whoever he is (yes, I know he was an Oriole) hit one out. Then A-Rod joined the evil homer party. It was swell to see the Bronx Bombers again, truly. Jeter had a great offensive night too.

Hughes was mostly good enough to keep the O’s in check. Cody Eppley? Not so much. Why Girardi keeps going to him is beyond me except that I guess there’s no one else. D-Rob must have read last night’s post because he was much better. And Soriano did his untuck thing. Game won. First place secured…at least for now.

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Nightmare Upon Waking

Wednesday, July 25th, 2012

The Yankees were down by a couple of runs when I shut off the TV and went to bed. I wasn’t worried. Sweaty Freddy looked strong and we were facing the weak-hitting Mariners, and although King Felix was on the mound, Ichiro had just smacked a double. I was hopeful.

And then I woke up to….The News.

Absolutely horrifying that A-Rod has joined the list of casualties this season. Just when we shore up the outfield following the Gardner/Swisher injuries, Felix goes and breaks Alex’s hand/metacarpal/pinky. After I read about it, I nearly threw my laptop out the window.

And yeah, we lost the game. (Thank you, Rapada, Qualls and Logan.)

So now what? Sure, Chavez is a great third baseman but he’s not an everyday player, was never meant to be. Ramiro Pena is a known quantity but not a major league caliber hitter. And then there’s this guy.

 

Yup, they could call up Eduardo Scissorhands and give him the part-time job. I don’t even want to think about that.

And then, since Cashman is on a roll with his trades for aging superstars, maybe he’ll pull off a stealth move for this nearly retired future HOF-er.

Photo: US Presswire

Yes, I know Chipper is going out in a blaze of glory with the Braves. Any other ideas? The player has to be over 35, be a star past his prime, be referred to by his first name (like Madonna or Cher), and generate lots of media attention to deflect from the misery of losing A-Rod in a season of losing Mo, Pettitte, Joba, Gardner, Pineda, and probably others I can’t remember because I’m in shock.

And I’m pissed off. Everybody says Felix didn’t hit three of our guys on purpose and it’s part of the game. After all, CC broke Carlos Pena’s wrist/hand a few years ago. It happens and nobody’s to blame. But still. I now officially don’t like Felix Hernandez.

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What’s With All The Apologies?

Thursday, July 12th, 2012

Am I the only one who doesn’t think Reggie Jackson committed a terrible sin? Sure, he’s a hot dog and “stirs the drink,” but why isn’t he allowed to be honest in a Sports Illustrated article? I found his comments refreshingly unscripted, not inflammatory.

For anyone who hasn’t followed this semi-drama…

Reggie Jackson apologizes again
By Andrew Marchand | ESPNNewYork.com

NEW YORK — Continuing his quest to make amends for comments first published more than a week ago, New York Yankees senior advisor Reggie Jackson released a statement Thursday publicly stating his contrition.

“I have been proactively reaching out to make personal apologies to those within the Hall of Fame community that I offended, and to the Yankees’ organization for any disruption that I caused in the clubhouse,” said Jackson, a Hall of Famer, in part of his statements. “I continue to have a strong relationship with the club, and look forward to continuing in my role with the team. As always, I remain dedicated to the great game of baseball.”

A baseball official with knowledge of the team’s thinking told ESPNNewYork.com that Jackson won’t be with the team this upcoming homestand, but could join on the road in Oakland next Thursday.

Jackson made his comments in last week’s issue of Sports Illustrated. He said there was a “cloud” over the accomplishments of Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez because of his admitted performance enhancing drug use.

Jackson also said he wasn’t sure if some current Hall of Famers belonged in Cooperstown, including the recently deceased Gary Carter.

“In trying to convey my feelings about a few issues that I am passionate about, I made the mistake of naming some specific players,” Jackson said in the statement Thursday. “This was inappropriate and unfair to those players, some of which are very close friends of mine. I think there are ways to speak from the heart without hurting people, and I’m disappointed that I didn’t take greater care in expressing my views.

The Yankees asked Jackson to stay away from Fenway Park for last weekend’s series so as not to cause a distraction.

Rodriguez answered questions about Jackson’s comments.

“With friends like that, who needs enemies,” Rodriguez said.

Last Friday, Rodriguez confirmed he spoke with Jackson after the comments, but wanted to keep what was said private. Sources told ESPNNewYork.com that Jackson had apologized to Rodriguez and other Yankee personnel.

“He is trying to rectify everything,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi told ESPNNewYork.com at that time.

Yes, I’m sure there were hurt feelings and egos as a result of his comments. And yes, he’s on the Yankees’ payroll and isn’t supposed to criticize other Yankees. And yes, he should have been more diplomatic about his opinions. But come on already. He didn’t say anything about A-Rod that the rest of us haven’t thought or said, did he?

 

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Sounds Like The Wrong Rodriguez Was Good

Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012

Photo: Elsa/Getty Images

I only listened to parts of the game tonight, as I was coming and going from dinner out with friends. When I heard John and Suzyn say that Rodriguez hit a big homer, I figured it was A-Rod.

Wrong. It was Sean, the guy who hadn’t been hitting for the Rays. He picked a swell time to pull himself out of a slump.

I guess Nova kept blowing leads? And the offense couldn’t put Shields away after getting to him early?

I really hope the Yankees salvage the series tomorrow or they’ll head to Boston on a nasty little downward slide.

Happy 4th, people.

 

 

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This Article Made Me Laugh

Wednesday, June 13th, 2012

Yankees Rodriguez, Swisher go from hated to heroes
Yankees Blog
By DAN MARTIN
Last Updated: 8:59 AM, June 13, 2012
Posted: 2:01 AM, June 13, 2012

Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher are two of the most unpopular players in baseball according to their peers. And after they both homered in the Yankees’ eighth-inning outburst of their 6-4 win in Atlanta last night, that opinion likely won’t change.

In a survey of 100 anonymous players conducted by Men’s Journal for its July edition, Rodriguez and Swisher were ranked behind only the White Sox’ A.J. Pierzynski as “the most hated player in baseball” category, while Joba Chamberlain was voted “most overrated.”

The relief pitcher is coming back from last year’s elbow surgery, as well as a dislocated right ankle suffered during a trampoline mishap in spring training, but hasn’t won over his contemporaries.

“If Joba didn’t play in New York, no one would know him,” said a starting pitcher, according to the magazine.

As for Swisher, another AL player said, “Everything about him is annoying, from his mannerisms to his always wanting to ‘bro’ it down… Being around him is just exhausting.”

But it wasn’t a total loss for the Yankees. In addition to being the team most players wanted to play for — besides their own — Derek Jeter trailed only the Angels’ Albert Pujols as the “player you would most want to have on your team.”

Boston manager Bobby Valentine received the second-most votes as the least respected manager, second to Miami’s Ozzie Guillen.

It feels like high school, doesn’t it?

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