"His impact on the game was clear right away," CC Sabathia said. "First pitch he sees, he hits a huge home run. It's been a lot of fun ever since. He's added a swagger to our team and our lineup."
"I think it helps everything," Sabathia said. "The anticipation of getting him back was big."
"Our runs may not have gone up, but we're winning the close games," Johnny Damon said. "That's all about confidence."
"Any time you have a guy like Alex back on your team and in the clubhouse, it raises everyone's expectations," Teixeira said. "Maybe that makes everyone play a little better, whether you're a hitter or a pitcher."Prior to his return the team was just 13-15 and 5.5 games out of first. Since then they've gone 14-5 and have pulled to within a half game of first place."I don't think it's a coincidence," Teixeira said. "He's definitely gotten me pitches to hit. A pitcher looks at Alex Rodriguez, he thinks, 'Oh, no.' Because of that, they're not going to want to put me on base."
"If Alex is healthy, he's going to put up MVP numbers," Teixeira said. "The only question people had was whether he came back too soon, but right now, he looks great and he's feeling great."
Surprisingly it's been the pitching that has shown the most improvement since his return. In the 28 games without Rodriguez this year, the Yanks had a 5.85 team ERA, but since he's been back that number has dropped more than two full runs to 3.80.
Offensively they're only averaging .04 runs a game more, from 5.64 to 5.68 runs per game, but their numbers with RISP are much improved. After hitting just .246 (66-for-268) over the first 28 game they've hit .325 (51-for-157) with RISP since he's been back. And now they're winning all those close games that they were coming up short in earlier in the year. Before he came back the Yankees were just 6-7 in one or two run games, since then they're 7-1 in those games.
I'm not sure if Rodriguez really deserves that much credit for all of this or if it's just coincidence. The one thing I can say with certainty is that the team has been playing with a lot more confidence since he got back and that may be all they needed to start playing well. So I'll give A-Rod at least some of the credit. Will you?
11 Comments:
definitely
Funny how all of the comments come from "non-dynasty" Yankees. At least they are willing to acknowledge what A-Rod means and has meant to this team since he's come here.
The difference is confidence and swagger, and A-Rod has definitely brought that with him. And as I watch the games it becomes clear that the "old guard" guys like Jeter and Posada are the ones on the outside, and the rest of the team really rallies around one another. I've felt that the problem with this team was the old guards unwillingness to "share the torch" as it were. Well it seems the torch is no longer there's to share.
This has been a different team since A-Rod came back. Not sure if that is a matter of swagger, lengthing the line up, or just taking the pressure off the other players. They no longer have to feel like they must bring their game up nor do they have to worry about getting blamed when the team falls short, A-Rod is always the scapegoat. As for talking of the "old Guard" being on the outside I can see that except with Mariano Rivera. He seems to get along with everyone, eventhough he was not quoted this time he has been in the past showing support.
Jeter, Posada and Pettitte don't get along with the other players? What, because they aren't quoted in the media? What's "funny" is how some fans (usually the young'uns) seem to resent the players that won championships with the Yankees.
I totally see the old guard thing. It seems like at LEAST Jeter and Jorge are kind of isolated from the rest. Pettitte is close with A-Rod and is just a country bumpkin who gets along with everyone.
I am really starting to clearly see a day when Jeter finishes his career elsewhere.
Luckily for the success of the team and for the majority of their fans, the Yankees dwell in reality and not in Ross & Jim's head where the "old guard" like HOFers Jeter & Posada are a problem.
Its not even that they are a problem, its that they clearly subscribe to a notion that you have to "do" something to be accepted as a true Yankee. Something invented by the media in the mid-late 90's. I'm sure they get along just fine with everyone, they are just no the catalysts,or leaders of this team. For too long they have been of the opinion that baseball is serious business, and that has been the tenor of the team. That's not the case anymore, and its nice to see the Yankees rise out of that. The truth is that the dynasty team was a special group never to be repeated, but with their success came a bit of arrogance and unwillingness to accept change or different/reduced roles/influence. Now they no longer have a say in that regard, and its a good thing.
Petitte and Rivera don't fit into that mold. Jeter and Posada definitely have an attitude that the Yankees belong to them.
As for those who think that young fans resent the players who won championships, you couldn't be further from the truth. I just don't cannonize them, and put them ahead of the team's success. The Yankees and their fans have been indebted to the old guard to the detriment of the team, signing Posada for 4 years for example, as if it were owed to him. That monster will rear irs head again when Jeter's contract is up. The fact is I want to see the Yankees win another World Series, and do so without handicapping themselves to pay an old debt. Jeter and Posada are still integral to the team's success, but they are also equally responsible for the team's recent post season failures and they don't deserve a free pass because they won in the 90's. It's nice to see some Yankee fans moving past ridiculous things like "true Yankees" and the idea that A-Rod is just not a winning ballplayer. And that the players are forming their own cohesive bond in spite of Jeter and Jorge. I would say that those who are desperately faithful to Jeter and Jorge at the expense of the team are the ones who need to reexamine themselves.
Coincidence mostly.
A-Rod in the lineup helps Teixeira, no doubt. But things even out in baseball & now it's been evening out for the Yankees a bit.
Cleveland has been hot enough, now it's time for a 4 game losing streak. Hughes better pitch a good game Sunday. I don't want to see Pavano looking good against us again.
All excellent points jim, assuming any of it is true. Keep in mind however, that none of the fanbase (including those of us on Sliding Into Home) knows for a fact if Jeter and/or Posada subscribe to the "true Yankee" meme. That always seemed more like a media/fan thing to me. The way I see it, these two men (and also Pettitte & Rivera) are simply consummate professionals, who go about their responsibilities in a professional manner and lead by example - and expect the same from their teammates.
And while I enjoy reading about the kangaroo court, billiards tournaments and whipped cream pies (it is a kids game after all), I also love the idea of a roster of 25 professionals. That is what bonds a roster together - everybody pulling their weight, and in the same direction.
One last point about envisioning a certain player "finishing his career elsewhere":
The front office and field management of our sports teams form opinions based on the facts that are available to them. Same with the fans. Sometimes what the fans "know" is different than what the team knows. One thing all knowledgeable fans and the Yankee front office can agree on: all things considered (including their inevitable decline), all four of the "old guard" are still very good baseball players, and will be difficult to replace when that day comes.
Actually, My baby girl was born the same night A-Rod came back so I'd like to think she's the reason for the Yankee's being 14-5
uhh you can't exactly blame jeter and posada for the last few years of post season failure...they've both batted higher than .350 over the past few years in the post season. i don't think i need to bring up a-rod's numbers to make my point about his failure to deliver anything during the postseason. i blame wang for two seasons ago.
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