A-Rod's new Jersey number for 2006...

[JOELKING]

Frank, I might be abit blunt here, but however here goes, for a player making that kind of money, should have the knowledge to do anything in there power to keep an ining going, just like matsui, Giambi, the money players we call them, they where brought in to the yankees to produce when it counts, regular season doesnt count in my books. for a player making 25 million a year, he will be pick on, we have that RIGHT. kids have that right.

[CHADGUMM]

Frank, I don't think anyone was putting all the blame on A Rod. All that was said was he chocked big time, much like he did in the playoffs last year.

However, with that said, if everything went the same way, here's how the Yankees 9th inning would have gone. Jeter gets on 1b with a hit. A Rod hits into a double play. Now let's say A Rod rather just struck out. Jeter is still on 1st. Giambi gets a hit. Men on 1st and second. Sheffield gets a walk, now the Yankees would have had bases loaded with 1 out rather than men on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs. Matsui's grounder to 1st would have easily scored Jeter (score 5-4). So then you would have had Giambi and Sheffield on 3rd and 2nd with 2 out with Cano coming up. And Cano was hitting very well. But alas, because of A Rod, the game ended on Matsui's out. So at least at the very end of the series in the very last inning, just about everyone came through for the Yankees EXCEPT for A Rod.

[Jerlins]

Anyone who claims ARod (or Bonds for that matter) is overated is doing so from emotions as opposed to fact, either that, or a total idiot. So they haven't won a ring, that in itself does not make someone overated. If you believe what you actually write, than I guess Ernie Banks, Ted Williams, Dan Marino and the like are overated in your book as well. There are simply great players, that for one reason or another, the ring has been out of reach. To base one credentials on how many rings are on one's fingers is ludicrous. Making statements that is written from emotion as opposed to fact leaves little if any credibility to the person making such a statement.

Let's see, a gold glove infielder who adapted to a new position, a habitually league leader in home runs and rbi's, as well as an MVP and Player of the Year awards. Tell me, what besides the ring makes this player overated? Surely, your love for baseball and baseball knowledge brings you to these forums and this game. Give me some facts to support your general, oversimplified statement, and you might just sway me to your thinking.

[doctrcpa]

This one surprised me, but what do you think ARod's career playoff stats are prior to this year?? How about .330/.395/.583 with 16 RBI in 26 games. The Red Sox series from last year was his first series with a sub .300 average. I am a Yankee fan who does not count on ARod to get a hit in a key spot, but these numbers really surprised me and have me wondering if I should rethink things a little. Here is a link to his stats through 2004.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/rodrial01.shtml

[Jerlins]

I saw the same stat and I'm not surprised. ARod has and continues to show up during the post season. And this year? Do I have to send a link showing what ARod did during Saturday's division clinching game against the Red Sox, while "clutch" players like David Ortiz were nowhere to be found?

Again, everything gets magnified here because he is simply the best in the game, and each non clutch at bat gets magnified. Dissapointing at times? Perhaps? 100% clutch hitter? Definately not! Overated? I think not.

Earlier, a reference was made about Manny Ramirez in regards to wanting him on your team. There is a difference between ARod and Manny. ARod has respect for the game, gives 100% each and every at bat, successful or not, while Manny is nothing but a disruptive teammate, who cares nothing of authority. I'll take Arod on my team any day.

If folks wish to call him overpaid, fine, that I will agree with., So are a lot of other players. Overpaid, but not overated. That he is overpaid is not his fault, but that of his employers who pay his salary. Same with Manny, Pedro, and anyone else you wish to toss in there.

For those who say they would not take ARod as their third baseman, I'll toss another question to you. All salaries being equal, who would you take on your team next year for one year? Bill Meuller? Hank Blalock? Adrian Beltre? Today, there is no better third baseman out there better than ARod.

Living in New England, Sox fans were giddy when they thought they had him, to a man. When things didn't work out, you started hearing this crap about him from these same fans who pretty much were calling each and every day negotiations were going on, how this was going to take them to the promised land. Amazing how things changed when he's not on YOUR team.

[JdEarly]

Devil Rage, you brought up A-Rod's salary like the money is what makes people perform well, and this is entirely untrue. Would you pay a nickel to watch Kevin Brown pitch anymore? Didn't think so. He made a cool $15 million this season. A-Rod is an amazing talent, World Series ring or not, but the pay check he collects doesn't make that happen. It's not like you could go out and pick up a guy like Christian Guzman, hand him $250 million, and he would suddenly become a regular season monster. The salary does NOT make the player. The Yankees roster, assembled in any other market, would likely be paid half of what they are right now. Paul Quantrill, anybody?

Now, this in no way means that I like Alex Rodriguez. When he was a 19 year old kid breaking into the majors... when he was Ken Griffey Jr.s' partner in crime... I enjoyed him. But now I think he's an arrogant, cocky, overrated player who posts bloated numbers. At his current price, I would not want him on my team. Same goes for Manny Ramirez, and Barry Bonds (who IS on my team). But for half the price would I take a third baseman who could even provide stellar defense at shortstop and hit the way he does? In a heart beat. Then again, I might just be a little more numb to his big headedness than someone who doesn't have to hope, say, Barry Bonds, does well. Or could it be the Edgardo Alfonzo/Pedro Feliz pairing I have had to stomach at the hot corner the last couple of years? All I know is that, while I don't care for A-Rod at all, his talent (not his price tag, if that makes sense) would certainly get me excited about the upcoming season.

A-Rod makes so much money that it's easy to make him out to be the goat. But then, when you look at it, there are several Yankees who would be the highest paid player on almost any other team. If we're going to base this on salary, A-Rod's 6-4-3 shouldn't even have happened, because the Yankees should have wrapped up the series several days earlier, ending in a sweep over the "less talented" Angels.

It is, however, easy for us to all sit here and bash any player who doesn't perform the way we think they should, even though most of us would look like fools at the kiddy end of the batting cages.

[CHADGUMM]

Who said A Rod was overrated? Just asking, because I read through all the posts and I don't recall anyone saying he was "overrated." But maybe I just missed it.

I would be surprised if anyone disagrees that A Rod is one of if not the most talented players in baseball. But that doesn't mean you'd necessarily want him on your team.

[kaviksdad]

[quote:e86b29588a]Apparently you missed Arod in the 95' playoffs[/quote:e86b29588a]

Everyone missed A$Rod in the 95 playoffs Korkie - he only had 2 at bats (no hits).

Alex puts up great numbers when there's no pressure. He is the ultimate "pad my stats" guy in blowout wins or blowout losses.

And no, there's no way I want him back on the Mariners. Gimme Griffey and his bad legs. At least I know that if you put your ear to Griffey's chest you'll hear a heartbeat. You put your ear to Alex's chest and all your hear is a "chi-ching" sound - except when the heat is on. Then you hear the ocean...

[korkie]

Jerlins- Great post man.

Kaviks- You're correct, I guess I was thinking 97' when he hit over .300 and slugged over .500. His lifetime postseason stats are great though, that's the point.

[korkie]

And Mav, so you agree with devilrage about Bonds then too, right? I'd be surprised if you say yes....I know you know better.