[新聞] Extra Work Is Not Enough for Rodriguez

看板A-Rod作者niceta時間18年前 (2007/10/10 00:00)推噓1(1推 0噓 0→)

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補新聞來源: http://tinyurl.com/27kcqu Extra Work Is Not Enough for Rodriguez By JACK CURRY Published: October 9, 2007 Alex Rodriguez's brown eyes were moist and bloodshot, obvious evidence of how he had reacted on a gloomy Monday night. Rodriguez had watched the Yankees lose to the Cleveland Indians, 6-4, ending a potentially memorable season and perhaps ending his career with them, too. "Too many drinks, too many shots," said Rodriguez, refusing to acknowledge that he had shed a tear or more. Rodriguez was emotional and perplexed as he talked about why he and the Yankees had fizzled again in another October. He said that he did not have the answers. He could not explain why he struck out on six pitches in his first two at-bats against Cleveland's Paul Byrd. He could not explain much. When Rodriguez heard part of a question about who should accept the blame, he sarcastically said that it should be him. "Oh, yeah, every time, I love it," Rodriguez said. "It's all me." Rodriguez was the only Yankee on the field three hours before last night's game, the only Yankee already anxious about swinging a bat. Rodriguez took some casual swings before replacing the bat. He lifted the second bat to his lips and kissed the barrel. Maybe it was for luck. If Rodriguez was hoping a little luck would help him navigate through the month and finally make October special, he will have to wait until 2008 for any good fortune to arrive at this time of year. There was no luck for Rodriguez or the Yankees, just another depressing finish. "It's a very painful time, obviously," Rodriguez said. Byrd, a journeyman with an old-school delivery, was not throwing much harder than the batting practice fastballs Rodriguez faced earlier in the day. It was the mediocre pitcher, not the future Hall of Fame hitter, who initially behaved as if it were just another game in June. Shockingly, hardly any Yankees solved Byrd. But, because Rodriguez is a cinch to collect the Most Valuable Player award, because he could ask for $30 million a year in his next deal and because he has been awful in the playoffs, he will absorb a chunk of the criticism. Yes, Rodriguez singled with the Yankees trailing, 6-1. Yes, he drilled a homer against Rafael Perez with the Yankees behind by four runs for his first homer and first run batted in across the last 16 playoff games. He also popped out in the ninth. But Rodriguez's first two at-bats, those uncomfortable at-bats, will stick with him. Especially if this was his last game as a Yankee. The Yankees have until 10 days after the World Series ends to negotiate exclusively with Rodriguez. But Scott Boras, his agent, is known for advising his players to opt out of their contracts. Rodriguez will be seeking a massive payday from the Yankees or someone else. He spoke positively about playing for the Yankees. "I've always said it: I love New York," Rodriguez said. "For me, as a player, to come full circle in New York, it's the most comfortable I've felt. Hopefully, things work out." The sight of Rodriguez sweating and swinging ahead of any of his teammates was intriguing. Was Rodriguez continuing his penchant for working harder than anyone else? Or was Rodriguez concerned about another postseason game and the potential for failure? Once Rodriguez was done, he retreated to the dugout and relaxed. Rodriguez said he rushed to the cage ahead of everyone else because he wanted to "stay in a rhythm." While Rodriguez was discussing what has been written about him and what might still be written, he said, "At the end of the day, you are who you are." As a player, who is Rodriguez? He might be the best player in the world. He hit 54 homers, drove in 156 runs and batted .314, staggering numbers. But when the calendar flips to October, that confident player seems to vanish. Although Rodriguez had two hits and finished 4 for 15 against Cleveland, he is now 8 for his last 56 in the playoffs. Those are puny statistics for an immense talent. It is always about the playoffs with the Yankees, so as great as Rodriguez was for six months, he will be defined by the fact that he did not help push the Yankees past the first round. Manager Joe Torre said Rodriguez looked smoother in Game 3, but that was not noticeable when Rodriguez batted in the first. With runners on first and second, Rodriguez had a chance to help the Yankees trim a 2-0 deficit. Rodriguez whiffed on three pitches, missing a high and pedestrian 86-mile-an-hour fastball. He also struck out on three pitches in the third, this time staring at another 86- m.p.h. fastball. Eventually, Rodriguez singled and homered. Reggie Jackson, the Yankee adviser who was nicknamed "Mr. October" for his exploits in the postseason, hung around the batting cage before the game. Jackson stood by Rodriguez, watched him hit and offered positive reinforcement. When Rodriguez left the field for the Yankees' clubhouse, maybe for the last time, he was asked if Jackson had helped him lately. "I don't need help," Rodriguez said. "I'm ready to rock." Rodriguez did not rock enough. It was October, which is not his month. --- 重點：從現在起到WS結束後十日內，洋基會與A-Rod談論有關合約的問題　　　如果雙方談不攏，A-Rod可能就會opt out投入自由市場 -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 61.230.87.41