BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: Matthews: They continue to doubt A-Rod

Baseball Primer Newsblog
— The Best News Links from the Baseball Newsstand

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Matthews: They continue to doubt A-Rod

They…as in Wallace and Matthews.

Still, they don’t believe.

Two late-inning, game-tying home runs in five playoff games, a .368 average in this postseason so far with three homers and eight RBI and still, here was Ervin Santana throwing four of the most intentional “unintentional’’ balls you ever saw to Mark Teixeira for the purpose of bringing Alex Rodriguez to the plate one more time, with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 12th of a tie ballgame.

The Angels got away with it that time as A-Rod flied out harmlessly to Torii Hunter in centerfield but still, the point was made.

No matter what Alex Rodriguez does in the postseason - and already he’s done plenty - no one seems quite convinced that he’s for real.

...“I know you guys are probably looking for something profound from me,’’ A-Rod said, groping to explain what his history has rendered unexplainable. “But I’m just seeing the ball and hitting it. ‘

So why is it still so hard for us to believe what we are seeing?

Repoz Posted: October 18, 2009 at 11:56 PM | 6 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: fantasy baseball, yankees

Reader Comments and Retorts

Go to end of page

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

1. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: October 19, 2009 at 12:26 AM (#3357246)

Because you're an idiot?

If three late-inning game tying home-runs in 5 playoff games don't silence the doubters, they're just unwilling to be convince.

2. RMc is the loyal supporter of the MLB event Posted: October 19, 2009 at 12:46 AM (#3357270)

The nation sobs quietly as the Phillies-Yankees World Series becomes an inevitablity.

"...and the snow is getting heavier here in game six in Yankee Stadium, fifteenth inning, still no score, in the first-ever World Series game to be played on Thanksgiving Day..."

3. Bruce Markusen Posted: October 19, 2009 at 12:48 AM (#3357272)

I like Scioscia as a manager--a lot, in fact--but his pitching around Teixeira to get to A-Rod in the bottom of the 12th made no sense. Not only do you give your reliever no margin for error with the bases loaded in a tie game, but you walk one of the coldest Yankees (in the postseason) to get to one of the hottest. It worked out, since A-Rod popped up to center field, but the move still defies logic.

4. Russlan will never be fond of Jason Bay Posted: October 19, 2009 at 12:50 AM (#3357277)

It worked out, since A-Rod popped up to center field, but the move still defies logic.

Really? A-Rod is a great hitter but Tex isn't exactly chopped liver. I think it was the right move because it setup a righty-righty matchup.

5. Zipperholes Posted: October 19, 2009 at 01:08 AM (#3357289)

Tex's OPS vs. RHP during the regular season was .951; A-Rod's was .931. Santana's OPS against was .746 vs. RHB and .911 vs. LHB. Both hitters have about the same track record against him.

6. winnipegwhip Posted: October 19, 2009 at 01:25 AM (#3357302)

I like Scioscia as a manager--a lot, in fact--but his pitching around Teixeira to get to A-Rod in the bottom of the 12th made no sense.

The reason he did it was because although the bases were loaded the weak hitting Freddy Guzman behind Arod. So even if they didn't get Arod out Guzman should have been an easy out to end the inning.

Sincerely,
Rich Gannon

You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.

<< Back to main

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Matthews: They continue to doubt A-Rod

Reader Comments and Retorts

Support BBTF

Bookmarks

Hot Topics