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Tuesday, July 01, 2008

A-Rod to skip HR Derby, claims it tampers with swing

Yet...A-Rod swinging with Madonna doesn’t tamper with marriage.

Alex Rodriguez may be the American League’s leading vote-getter for this year’s All-Star Game, but the reigning MVP has no plans on making it a two-day event.

Even with the All-Star festivities taking place in his home ballpark, A-Rod said he would not participate in the Home Run Derby, which takes place the night before the All-Star Game.

“I try to stay away from that,” Rodriguez said. “My responsibility is to the New York Yankees. I need my swing to be at its best.”

Like many players, Rodriguez insists that taking part in the Home Run Derby can have a damaging effect on his swing.

Repoz Posted: July 01, 2008 at 07:06 AM | 16 comment(s)
Related News: General, NY Yankees

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1. Mr2bits Posted: July 01, 2008 at 08:53 AM (#2838687)

Normally, I'd be with him, but this is going to be the last All-Star game at Yankee Stadium. He is cheating the fans.

2. JRJ Posted: July 01, 2008 at 08:56 AM (#2838689)

Or is he skipping on the home run derby because he's been bounced in the first round in two previous attempts?

3. Edmundo, survivor of 7 right-sourcings Posted: July 01, 2008 at 09:00 AM (#2838693)

If I were an owner or GM, I would not want my guys participating.
But as a fan, I love it and you can see how the players love it.

4. Moscow Hiding In The Shadows Posted: July 01, 2008 at 09:39 AM (#2838721)

Assuming he's not just bullshltting, I'd much rather that A-Rod save his swings for the game itself. If they need a Yankee to participate, give em Giambi.

BTW I notice that Papi's going to the game but won't play, even though he's been hitting off a tee. Does anyone know if he's still going to participate in that called shot gimmick?

5. villageidiom Posted: July 01, 2008 at 09:43 AM (#2838726)

Alex Rodriguez, stats around HR derby performances

HR derby 7/6/1998 - 4th place

Period            AB    AVG     SLG     K/AB
20 games prior    90   .344    .511     16%
20 games after    89   .225    .438     17%

HR derby 7/9/2001 - 6th place

Period            AB    AVG     SLG     K/AB
20 games prior    79   .253    .481     24%
20 games after    77   .351    .558     21%

HR derby 7/8/2002 - 6th place

Period            AB    AVG     SLG     K/AB
20 games prior    76   .329    .645     26%
20 games after    78   .333    .718     14%

The above comes from Baseball-Reference.com for the stats, and wikipedia.com for his HR Derby appearances.

6. Eraser-X is dominating this site! Posted: July 01, 2008 at 09:48 AM (#2838730)

This could totally be true, and that's fine, but I can't imagine that people won't think he's a ######### for saying this.

7. MSI Posted: July 01, 2008 at 10:24 AM (#2838759)

Has someone done a study. Alex Rios hasn't hit homeruns well since the homerun derby.

8. The Joe Mauer Power Hour (kj) Posted: July 01, 2008 at 11:41 AM (#2838844)

#5: I wonder if after the first time, he noticed his swing had changed too much, and tried to avoid that in the two later contests, resulting in his poor homerun derby performances, but helping him avoid the post-derby slump.

9. Shooty: Now rated AAA by Moody's and S&P! Posted: July 01, 2008 at 11:46 AM (#2838848)

Maybe he just wants to spend more time with Madonna. A-Rod rumors are fun. Then again, he does like mannish strippers and Madonna is the patron saint of mannish strippers...

10. 1k5v3L Posted: July 01, 2008 at 11:51 AM (#2838855)

A-rod chooses Madonna over All Star

No word on whether banging Madonna will mess up his thing

Link from rotoworld, of course

11. Shooty: Now rated AAA by Moody's and S&P! Posted: July 01, 2008 at 11:58 AM (#2838862)

No word on whether banging Madonna will mess up his thing

Canseco's sloppy seconds again?

12. Rich Posted: July 01, 2008 at 12:10 PM (#2838880)

Canseco's sloppy seconds again?

Someone has apparently lost count.

13. Shooty: Now rated AAA by Moody's and S&P! Posted: July 01, 2008 at 12:13 PM (#2838885)

Canseco's sloppy seconds again?

Someone has apparently lost count.

Sometimes it's more fun not to be accurate, dammit.

14. jwb Posted: July 01, 2008 at 12:19 PM (#2838893)

[Madonna's] son Rocco, 7, also sported Yankees gear on June 25 while playing in Central Park.

Well, that settles that. So half of the moms in my neighborhood must be doing Ozzie.

15. Dan Szymborski Posted: July 01, 2008 at 12:36 PM (#2838916)

This could totally be true, and that's fine, but I can't imagine that people won't think he's a ######### for saying this.

A-Rod could donate half his salary to terminally ill children every year and people would still rag on him.

"A-Rod is showing what a narcissistic ####### he is yet again as he taunts parents by showing them what they can't afford for their sick children and how he has so much money that he can pay for a stranger's health care."

16. Brian Posted: July 01, 2008 at 02:55 PM (#2839080)

I'm a Yankee fan and I think this is a great call. Maybe it's not every guy who has problems afterwards but there have been enough of them. ARod knows his own swing and what he should do to keep it grooved. Good call.

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Tuesday, July 01, 2008

A-Rod to skip HR Derby, claims it tampers with swing

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