[新聞] A-Rod ready for Spring Training to start

看板A-Rod作者bluefly99 (梔子花)時間18年前 (2007/02/07 13:28)推噓0(0推 0噓 1→)

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A-Rod ready for Spring Training to start Third baseman looking forward to challenge that '07 will bring NEW YORK -- It may be difficult to understand at first, but Alex Rodriguez said he reflects on the challenges of 2006 as one of the greatest times of his career. Hear him out. Even considering the roller-coaster highs and lows of Rodriguez's campaign, he said Tuesday that he learned more about himself last year than in any other Major League season. "It was probably the most difficult year of my career, but it was also the greatest time of my career," Rodriguez said. "I had an opportunity to learn and to grow, both as a player and a human being. "It was a very tough year filled with adversities, but overall I'm very proud of the way I finished the season. Right now, it's all about winning a world championship and being a part of it." With the clock winding down on what Rodriguez said was one of his most enjoyable offseasons, the third baseman believes he has put the trials and tribulations of last summer behind him. Though he batted .290 with 35 home runs and ranked fourth in the American League with 121 RBIs, Rodriguez tied his career high with 24 errors and experienced extended hitting slumps, including a 1-for-14 showing in the American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers. Rodriguez said he is better for having had those experiences, and found rewards near the end of the regular season, finishing the schedule with respectable offensive totals. "It was the most inconsistent that I've been in my career," Rodriguez said. "But at the same time, it was one of the most rewarding [seasons], because I was able to put it all together toward the end a little bit." Of course, nothing ever seems to fly under the radar regarding Rodriguez -- even his 2004 acquisition by the Yankees came with its own Boston Red Sox-laced subplot of intrigue. In three seasons as a Yankee, Rodriguez has handled his fair share of the spotlight, to be sure. Each year with A-Rod has splashed the tabloids with a new sequence of non-baseball stories; last summer's hot-button issues ranged from a mid-afternoon journey to Central Park to a supposed clash with teammate Derek Jeter. With pitchers and catchers just days away from reporting to Spring Training in Tampa, Fla., another topic may be cropping up. Rodriguez's contract is equipped with an opt-out clause that could be exercised after the 2007 season, making Rodriguez a free agent. The clause is similar to the one triggered by outfielder J.D. Drew earlier in the winter, when Drew left the Los Angeles Dodgers and eventually signed with the Red Sox. Rodriguez said he hadn't followed Drew's situation and declined to comment on any plans beyond October 2007. "My situation and my goal is to win a world championship, and I'm going to take it day-to-day," Rodriguez said. "All I'm thinking about is playing baseball." "At this point in time, Alex has certainly reflected to me he's very happy in New York," Boras told the Associated Press. "We have not talked about anything like that and probably will not until the season is completed." As for Rodriguez's relationship with Jeter, former Yankee Darryl Strawberry may have felt compelled to recommend the two mend their fences, but Rodriguez said there are no problems to fix. "I think a lot of people love the idea of the story," Rodriguez said. "There's absolutely no story there. We're good friends; we've talked a little bit this winter. Things couldn't be better." With the Yankees' first full-squad workout set for Feb. 20, Rodriguez said he feels a sense of optimism as he readies for Tampa. Surrounding him in the Yankees Spring Training clubhouse will be an overwhelming stable of young pitching prospects poised to impact the Major League roster. That, more than anything, excites Rodriguez. The Yankees were first-hand witnesses to the effect that young guns like Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya had on the Tigers, and Rodriguez hopes that youthful arms can surprise a few people on the way to the Yankees' ultimate goal. "I'm excited about our young pitching," Rodriguez said. "I think [general manager Brian] Cashman has done a nice job of trying to make us a little younger and a little bit more athletic, and I'm excited. "For the first time since I've been in camp, we're going to have the opportunity to look at six or seven mystery guys. Maybe we strike lightning in a bottle, kind of like Detroit did." Taking a brief, chilled New York detour from the warmth of Miami, Rodriguez said his arduous offseason workout program is entering the home stretch. Before long, Rodriguez plans to be fielding grounders under the Florida sun and preparing for what he hopes will be a championship season in the Bronx. "I always think that Spring Training and October are the two greatest times of baseball," Rodriguez said. "It's a time of optimism and a time where you have the opportunity to win a world championship, which is the most important thing when you're playing this game." Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. 新聞來源：http://tinyurl.com/2adhjb -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 59.126.97.4 ※ 編輯: bluefly99 來自: 59.126.97.4 (02/07 13:29)