Oh. yeah....and Bernie Williams.

I never said he sucked overall, I said he sucked when it counted. And Double-J, I was just like you. Putting his MVP, Gold Gloves and Silver Slugger awards up as an excuse (or reason) for the Yankees to continue to hang onto him. But now I'm just sick and tired of seeing the broken record that is Alex Rodriguez in the clutch. The last 2 games A-Rod's had the chance to either put the Yankees ahead of win the game for them. But of course not, he STRIKES OUTS both times! When he came to the plate last night I told my brother he's going to strike out and what happened? I'm sorry DJ, maybe I don't have as much patience as you, but I can't keep bailing the guy out. I'm not disputing the fact that he's still having trouble adjusting to third base, but that shouldn't affect how he swings the bat in clutch situations.

I like Alex and wish to see him succeed. And you may call me a "fickle" fan or what have you. But some of us Yankee fans, boo because we know they can do better (it's pretty much a kick in the a$$ telling them to get their act together. They're a better player than this, we know it and we want to see it). Besides, A-Rod and everyone else knows that when you come to New York, you're expected to win. So yeah, when or if he ever comes through in the clutch or the playoffs again, I will cheer him. I'll be happy for him but most importantly for the team.

With regards to the huge gain - I've already listed the tradeoff in my previous post:

Yankees received: A-Rod - 2005 AL MVP/Gold Glove caliber infielder/9 30+ homerun seasons out of 10/replacement for fill-ins and underachievers at 3B as well as an empty slot at second base filled by budding All Star Robinson Cano.

Texas got: Alfonso Soriano - high powered home run hitting speedster/mediocre fielding 2nd baseman/prima donna/now with the Nationals and expected to be traded again and two minor leaguers.

With regards to settling into pinstripes, I agree, and I think part of it is his disposition...we want, nay, need, the A-Rod who was willing to toss the gloves with Jason Varitek, not the "I took my wife and daughter sunbathing today" A-Rod. He needs an attitude ala Gary Sheffield.

And I also agree regarding his clutch, as I said, I don't have much confidence in him. But does that mean I'd pinch hit for him? No.

Thank you Mr. Redundant. It sounds awful similar to what I've said in my previous post. :p

I've got two words for you:

Jason Giambi.

Remember when we all said he was done, washed up, ex-steroid juicer who we should just cut and take the loss? Yeah. He's now our best power hitter at the moment, and is having a year like he did in 2002 (and in 2003).

A-Rod's not even close to being there. But he will turn his problems around. He's too good of a player not to.

And it has nothing to do with being patient. It has everything to do with supporting your team when they need it. I'll say again, I don't have much confidence in Alex, but it would be completely nuts to get rid of him...what are you going to do for a 3B and a 4th/5th hitter in the order? Seriously. We know he's having issues. It doesn't take Miss Cleo to figure that out. But instead of grandiose and unrealistic trade ideas, maybe we should just support him.

Ugh. Yankee fans bottle fed on those championships of the late 90's.

"In New York, you're expected to win."

Oh, shit, you mean, they aren't in Cleveland? Texas? St. Louis? :rolleyes:

New York may be the biggest stage of them all, but its still just a game. A-Rod is struggling - no doubt - but the boos, the "you're expected to win in NY" stuff, just makes Yankee fans seem more arrogant.

Even the reigning AL MVP isn't good enough for us, apparently.

"Touch your cleats with a magic bat, and you'll be a boobird too,"
Double-J

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Oh, BTW - "Slammin'" Sammy Sosa is coming out of retirement. Wondering the possibility of the Yankees giving him a Minor-League deal and see how he does, if he's in shape maybe we could use him down the stretch.

Yankees News and Notes

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Other things of note - as aforementioned, Sammy Sosa wants to un-retire, and Shea Hillenbrand has been designated for assignment by the Boo-Jays.

First off plaw, I'm aware that St. Louis would never part with Pujols and I know Florida would never take on A-Rod's contract. I was really just thinking out loud of players I would like to see come to New York if they ever got rid of A-Rod. I'm not saying they're realistic, but there are players I wouldn't mind seeing in pinstripes.

Double-J, sure you're expected to win anywhere you go (whether it be New York, Cleveland, Texas or St. Louis). But I think we both can agree the pressure to succeed (and quickly) in New York is greater than in any other market. As you said yourself, "New York is the biggest stage of them all." Call me cynical or what have you, but as I said before, people know the pressures and expectations of playing in the Big City. Some guys can handle it and some guys cannot. And I know there have been former Yankee players and potential free agents who didn't sign with the Yankees for that very reason, they couldn't handle the pressure. So it's no secret that when the games on the line and you continue to fail, people are going to get on your case after almost 3 years of it. I'm sorry Alex, you knew (or should have known) the situation you were getting into. "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen!"

Beautiful error by A-Rod tonight to open the door for a 4 run Blue Jay inning which pretty much costs us the game

Granted - big error. But who let them hit the game-winning homer? Mariano Rivera.

Ugh. He's the friggin' AL MVP. Sure, he faltered in the playoffs - but the team did it in general, especially with our mediocre-at-best pitching staff.

All this pressure stuff, all this "can't take the heat" stuff, its brought on by the unrelenting fans, who refuse to accept that athletes are human, and when they don't perform as such, are chastized, especially in New York. Now, granted, A-Rod is a huge target because of his previous success and his obscene contract, but he's still only one cog in the Yankee machine.

Yankees Updates and Notes

True, but there wouldn't have even been a game-winning home run if they didn't tie the score on A-Rod's error

True, but there wouldn't have even been a game-winning home run if they didn't tie the score on A-Rod's error [/b][/quote]I didn't see the game, but they scored all four runs on A-Rod's error?

But for now you'll say he sucks and will boo him, correct?

So you'll essentially be cheering for him when he's up and and booing him when he's down.

Then again, every so often Jeter gets booed too. But a good point nonetheless.

True, but there wouldn't have even been a game-winning home run if they didn't tie the score on A-Rod's error [/b][/quote]Why not blame the pitching? After all, wasn't A-Rod's error responsible for only 1 (maybe 2) runs? That still leaves 2 runs (not counting the GW) that were not his fault.

As an objective observer who doesn't live or die with Yankees, I don't get the critics A-Rod. He's one of the best players in the game. Just because he's the highest paid isn't his fault. Blame the jackass owner of the Rangers. I don't know how anyone in their right mind would turn down a quarter of a billion dollar contract. I sure as hell would not.

Yeah, the guy is having a down year, especially defensively. If he "sucked" then how did he win the MVP last year? He's just in the prime of his career and will probably go down as one of the greatest players in the game's history. I also think that he'll be the all-time HR king when it's all said and done. If this guy wasn't in NY, he wouldn't be under the microscope he's been viewed.

Baseball is a game when the best players only succeed about 30% of the time at the plate. Those who succeed at more than 33-35% are considered great ones.

I can't fathom another team being able or willing to take on his contract. And I think any team who would take on that contract would not want to compound the $$ issue by losing top players in exchange.

True, but there wouldn't have even been a game-winning home run if they didn't tie the score on A-Rod's error [/b][/quote]I didn't see the game, but they scored all four runs on A-Rod's error? [/b][/quote]Not all 4 runs. At least 1 (maybe 2 as DJ said) but his error opened up the inning for Toronto.

But for now you'll say he sucks and will boo him, correct?

So you'll essentially be cheering for him when he's up and and booing him when he's down. [/b][/quote]Yup that's pretty much it. He's garbage right now and is hurting the team more than he's helping them.

True, but there wouldn't have even been a game-winning home run if they didn't tie the score on A-Rod's error [/b][/quote]Why not blame the pitching? After all, wasn't A-Rod's error responsible for only 1 (maybe 2) runs? That still leaves 2 runs (not counting the GW) that were not his fault. [/b][/quote]I don't know how many outs there were but if A-Rod didn't let those runs scored I don't think they would have scored 4 runs that inning. It was a costly error and they needed that out. It looked like from then on, Moose lost his momentum

But he is in NY, and as his career stats have shown, he did better when he wasn't under the NY microscope.

Problem is, he's a super-duper star and expected to follow in the Ruth-Gehrig-DiMaggio-Mantle-Mattingly tradition of being not only the teams offensive leader, but their emotional and inspirational leader also, and he just ain't doing any of it - at least not this year.

Hence the criticism, which is justified - at least this year, IMO.

Thank you plaw! That's all I'm trying to say

I don't disagree that he's having a down year. What I don't get is how some fans want to run this guy out town for a year and a half of sub-par play.

Even if A-Rod finds a cure for cancer, several fans will hate him. It can't be that he can't "cut it" in the playoffs. Why the hate? Is it because he doesn't bang enough whores, or beat enough kids up, or simply isn't a "true Yankee" (whatever the fuck that means).

Thing is, when Jeter had his infamous slump years back, did New Yorkers want his head on a silver platter, wanting his ass traded away? NO. They suck his cock so much, they think it taste like strawberries.

Besides, with or without A-Rod, Yanks will still fail to reach the World Series...AGAIN.

Perhaps Jeter is popular because he is a team player, he gives 200% in each and every game, he inspires and rallies his team-mates and the fans, and he looks like he knows he is one of the luckiest men on earth and he's HAPPY about it. He loves Joe Torre like a father, he's come through time and again in the clutch, and he's made amazing plays in game after game, season after season. Regarding one of your comments, RRA, perhaps there is a persistent strawberry sense, because he certainly seems joyful, and that would make a man fairly content, I would think. Personally, I am allergic to strawberries, so it wouldn't do a thing for me.

As for ARod, he is supposed to be THE MAN. He's supposed to be a great player, and a great Yankee. I know that he was the MVP, but it shouldn't surprise any of us that the fans are discontent. NY is a what have you done for me lately kind of town. For the team's sake, I hope he does get the cobwebs out of his head. There are some players that just can't cut it as a Yankee. So much more is expected of them, and the pressure is enormous. I hope that isn't what's going on. Maybe he needs to breathe out of his eyeballs, ala Nuke LaLouche.

EXACTLY! Jeter's done his duty for now in helping this team win 4 championships in 5 years. Jeter's already proven himself to an extent that's bought him leeway

A-Rod hit a 3-run shot, scoring the Yankees' only runs yesterday. Hopefully that brings up his confidence.

I definitley would cut some slack to A-Rod at third. After spending 10 years crafting and trying to perfect the shortstop position, you aren't going to becoming a gold glover in three years at a completely different position.

EXACTLY! Jeter's done his duty for now in helping this team win 4 championships in 5 years. Jeter's already proven himself to an extent that's bought him leeway [/b][/quote]Time out.

Again, as I've said before, Yankee fans sucking from the teat of the late 90's. How was the pitching during those Championship years? How did the team look?

Now look at those factors when A-Rod has been a Yankee. We've had marvel's like Kevin "Wall-Beater" Brown, Felix Heredia, Tony Womack, etc.

While I think this may come at a shock to him since its coming from me ( ), I think Tony Love has hit the nail on the head.

Last nite, A-Rod "sucked" hitting his 2,000 hit and 450th career homer, and yes, he had another error.

But what else faltered for the Yanks? They couldn't hit off of A.J. Burnett (excluding A-Rod). Their pitching varied from shaky to terrible. You cannot place all of that on A-Rod, especially when pitchers like Wright and Chacon walk-in runs...

To paraphase Ronnie - I think A-Rod could probably step down off the cross and proclaim himself as Christ, heal the blind, cure the sick, and become the savior of the entire human race, and there would still be these arrogant (or stupid?) NY fans and fairweather Yankee fans who refuse to accept that this guy is human and support him when he's hitting and bury him when he's not.

Feel free to get on him for legitimate claims - yes, he is slumping, and yes, he has seemingly forgotten the basic fundamentals on defense (what Little Leaguer in their right mind would throw such a shitty side armer and not expect to hear multiple jeers of "overhand!" when they got back to the bench?). But c'mon, you guys seem to be blaming him for everything from the sinking of the Titanic to losses against divisional rivals, seemingly ignoring the other factors involved.

God, I wish the Twins had someone who sucked so bad in clutch situations that they actually lead the league in game winning RBIs.

OMG! We'll trade you A-Rod for Johan Santana, Francisco Liriano, and Torii Hunter!

I don't know if the Yanks fans would like that trade. Even though Johan got the win in his last start, he didn't pitch his best, Liriano got rocked his first start back after the break, and Hunter is hurt and has worse stats across the board than Arod. Evidently, anything short of perfection isn't good enough for the blessed Yankees.

Oh my god...I'm agreeing with DJ! Doctors, lock me up in the room with the cushions!

Sicilian Babe, again you giving me the Sean Penn defense, to paraphrase TEAM AMERICA, where Derek Jeter dances with the children around fields of flowers and rivers of chocolate. But what about him as a player?

I do agree that he seems to always come in clutch in the playoffs, and I can't beat that down. I mean how can I and take myself seriously as a baseball fan? Besides, he's good defensively at Short Stop.

But besides that, and your love letter post how of he's happy, how he seems to like his manager, how he can bang two whores at once every week, how his spit can cure glucoma, or that his tear drops bring shame to Chuck Norris...what about him as a player?

If Jeter had been drafted by another team, lets say the Marlins....he would be respected by some fans, but people in general wouldn't remember him. "Jeder? or is it Jedah?" Let's compare stats:

Jeter: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=3246

A-Rod: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=3115

Fact is, A-Rod at this rate will be a Hall of Famer, and who knows, maybe a distant good chance of beating Aaron for the HR record.

A-Rod's problem is that he's just doesn't have it defensively at Third Base. He was a Gold Glove Short Stop before he was moved to 3B, since we all know that since Jeter's thee holy cock taste like thou strawberries, that Jeter would never be moved to 3B (and probably personal bias on the part of Torre). In fact, who was winning the Gold Gloves for the American League at SS before Jeter won the last two? A-Rod.

In fact, switch A-Rod and Jeter. Let's see if Mighty Cock can cut it on the hot corner. If he can, then I'll respect him more. Until then, I hate strawberries.

P.S. - Why is it that many Yankees fans act like fucking "Mark" fans in Pro Wrestling?

Puh-leeze!! I am not saying diminishing ARod's talent. He's a great talent and I think it's a disgrace how the fans have turned their back on him. He hit two career milestones last night, and they were completely overshadowed by the negatives. IMO, that's ridiculous. What I AM saying is that I don't believe he has come through in that special way yet, as have other players on the team. And until he does, NYers are going to continue to give him a hard time. It comes with the territory.

As for Jeter, how about the fact that his average is .339 with 57 RBI's? And I don't want to see him dancing around flowers with whores, I prefer to see him running the bases. He plays all out every game, period, and makes it obvious that he loves the game and his team. He's a great player, and you can say what you want, if he happens to be handsome and popular, too, that doesn't detract from his talent.

Actually, and I wonder whether this would be feasible - let's put Andy Phillips, who played a variety of infield positions in the Minors and is a solid-if-not-better-than-good defensive first baseman at 3rd, play Giambi at 1st (he's decent), and give A-Rod the DH, and see what happens.

A good win tonight for the Yanks. They need to split the series. And oh yeah, A-Rod, 0-4 with 4 strikeouts

Hey, I12, take a chill pill. The Yankees won over the Blue Jays and the Red Sox lost. Stop looking for the cloud that surrounds the silver lining, will you? :p