[新聞] Call him Stay-Rod

看板A-Rod作者subaru (高統襪的神秘力量)時間18年前 (2007/04/25 20:05)推噓0(0推 0噓 1→)

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Call him Stay-Rod Loves N.Y. but won't nix opting out BY MARK FEINSAND DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Wednesday, April 25th 2007, 4:00 AM http://tinyurl.com/2qngfq ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Alex Rodriguez's start has surely opened eyes around the majors, and with the opt-out clause that he can exercise at the end of the year, several teams are surely thinking about how much money they can throw at the two-time MVP this winter. Of course, first he has to opt out. Yesterday, speaking about the subject for the first time since mid-March, A-Rod stated that he has no plans to leave New York "no matter what." Despite those sentiments, Rodriguez has repeatedly refused to say he will not opt out, choosing instead to express his love for New York. "I've always thought that, even when I was really bad last year," Rodriguez said before his 23-game (counting last season) hitting streak was snapped with a 0-for-3 performance in last night's 6-4 loss to the Devil Rays. "I still thought it was the best place for me. I've never been a guy that just runs away from my bad play; that's the way I am. Things haven't changed. "I told you last year that I loved New York, and people thought I was insane. I kept saying it this winter, and I know I had opportunities to do things, but I love New York. It's the greatest place for me to play. "I want to stay in New York. No matter what." This isn't the first time that Rodriguez has played with a contract issue hanging over his head. He entered 2000 with one year remaining before free agency, but he hit .316 with 41 homers and 132 RBI for the Mariners that year, helping him land his $252 million pact from the Rangers. "I've dealt with this before; to me, it's really no big deal," Rodriguez said. "If you had asked me this when I was in Seattle my last year, I would have given you a three-paragraph answer. I'm just loving playing the game." Since the start of spring training, Joe Torre has sensed a comfort level for Rodriguez that he didn't see over their first three seasons together. Whatever the reason for it, the manager hopes to have him in pinstripes beyond this season. "Ability-wise, we certainly want him here," Joe Torre said. "Sitting in the middle of our lineup and making the statement he is right now, we certainly don't want him to go anywhere....I have no idea, but I'd like to believe he's going to be here." Rodriguez is off to the best start of his career - possibly anybody's career - through the first 19 games. His 14 home runs are tied with Albert Pujols for the most ever hit in April, and he has 34 RBI. He reached 14 homers faster than any player in history. He has three multi-homer games and two walk-off home runs. But with last night's defeat, Rodriguez and the Yankees lost their fifth straight, dropping into last in the AL East. "It's hard for me to get into what's happening with me when I'm so consumed with what's happening with the team," Rodriguez said before the game. "I'm the kind of guy who doesn't really appreciate what's going on at the time." What does he credit for his run? Don't ask. "I can't explain it," Rodriguez said. "I know you guys are frustrated and looking for some profound answer, but I don't have one. I'm having as much fun as I can, trying to keep it simple, and I really don't give a -- -- about what most people are thinking or saying." That may be the biggest difference for A-Rod, who is notorious for thinking too much about what people are saying about him. This year, he has taken to losing himself to his iPod moments after arriving at the ballpark, choosing to allow his talent to speak for itself. So far, the results are staggering. "Last year taught me a lot about reality and perception; that it's really not that important," he said. "What's important is that you love to play the game, that you play the game with respect and that everybody in your uniform respects what you're doing." How far can A-Rod carry this momentum? Nobody knows, but he surely won't keep up his current pace, which projects to 119home runs and 290 RBI. Can he challenge Barry Bonds' single-season homer mark of 73? Ask him in August. "I've been in streaks like this before; you just try to prolong it as long as possible and enjoy it," Rodriguez said. "Let's see how far we can fly, then I can tell you. I'm in the middle of flight right now, so I don't want to talk about it." -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 123.195.68.175