Another A-Bomb from A-Rod
Yankee 3B linked to ex-Governor Spitzer’s Madam







Special to Yankees Talk Shop
March 23, 2009

Just when you thought you’d seen and heard it all in regards to Alex Rodriguez’s on and off-the-field exploits he comes up with another salvo to further soil and damage his already tarnished reputation. Not only does he swing the spotlight back onto himself he also pulls his organization and teammates back into the light with him.

In the latest media circus headache for the New York Yankees Rodriguez’s name has been linked to Kristen Davis the well known madam who supplied ex-Governor Eliot Spitzer with hookers, which caused New York’s top politician to resign from office and run for cover.

According to numerous sources Davis found Rodriguez so charming that she couldn’t resist his company and dated him for free. According to the NY Daily News sources inside Davis’ call-girl agency Rodriguez won Davis over with jewelry, flowers, persistence and heated email exchanges.

Davis said she first met Rodriguez in June of 2003 at an unnamed gym in Philadelphia and according to Davis A-Rod, who was married at the time, asked, “What are you doing tonight?"

Davis stated she was going to dinner with her boyfriend, but if he was looking for “a date” to call her agency for a companion. Davis claimed to an unidentified friend she didn’t know who Rodriguez was at the time, but found him “hot as hell.”

Rodriguez allegedly called the agency and arranged a 2-hour date with one of the girls who met A-Rod at the Four Seasons Hotel in Logan Square. A-Rod was said to have given his true name when arranging the meeting.

"He gave his real name," Davis purportedly told the friend. "The next day we found out who Alex Rodriguez was. The girl we sent freaked out. Her father (works for) another Major League Baseball team."

The Daily News was supplied an email exchange from a former booker at Davis’ Wicked Models between A-Rod and Davis indicating A-Rod was in hot pursuit of Davis.

Rodriguez: "Thanks for setting me up with Samantha. She was gorgeous. But she is not you. When can I see you you are gorgeous . . ."

Davis: "Hi Alex. You don't want to see me. I'm no fun. lol. Just because your (sic) so sweet, here are some pics of me and I appreciate the compliments. Your (sic) a doll. Thanks, Kristin"

Rodriguez: "You have been playing hard to get for a year now, your (sic) killing me."

Davis: "It's not playing I am hard to get. Maybe you should try harder."
Rodriguez: "Kristin, I definitely will and I love the pics. I put the one on my cell so I can look at you all the time. Alex."

Davis: "You are too sweet. I'll let you know when I get someone you like."

According to former employees A-Rod hired call-girls a half-dozen times, and that he was very nice to talk to when he called. However, it was Davis that interested Rodriguez the most and he was continually pursuing her until she capitulated and started seeing him.

Ex-employees said that though Davis’ agencies typically charge clients $1,000 per hour Davis told a friend, "Alex didn't pay me . . . I went out with him just because he was so flattering. I couldn't not give in.
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In another professed email sent to Davis on Feb. 9, 2007 A-Rod wrote: "My sexy blonde girl. When can I see you again? I am addicted to you. Did you get the flowers I sent?"

This solicited an email reply from Davis: "I received your flowers. You outdid yourself, I feel very adored. Thank you. And I received your other gift today. You really spoiled me."

Based upon information supplied to the Daily News A-Rod told Davis about the pressures of baseball and that he used steroids, because a lot of players did it and he wanted to be a good ballplayer.

So far no one from A-Rod’s camp has responded to the story
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When contacted by the News and confronted with the emails Davis also declined to comment on Rodriguez
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"Other people have had access to my client records as well as my personal information and I can't control what has been released," Davis told reporters.

Other than Spitzer, Davis has refused to discuss the goings on of any of the clients doing business with her agencies.

Davis was convicted for promoting prostitution and received 5 years probation and she served a 3-month jail sentence.

This is not the first time Rodriguez has been linked to other women while married. In 2007 he was featured on the front page of the NY Post after being photographed going into a hotel in Toronto with a former stripper, Joslyn Morse. Another stripper, Candice Houlihan, claimed she and A-Rod had a 2-night tryst in 2004.

Last year, Rodriguez’s ex-wife Cynthia filed for divorce in July and she accused A-Rod of infidelity. A-Rod was also described as having an “affair of the heart” with singer Madonna, but both denied a romantic relationship. However, shortly after Rodriguez’s divorce became public Madonna’s ex-husband, director Guy Ritchie filed and was granted a divorce from the music superstar.

This chapter is just the latest bombshell in the life of A-Rod. Since coming to the Yankees in 2004 A-Rod has been a constant source of headaches and embarrassment. We can review some of them in no particular order.

First up is the well documented April 2001 issue of Esquire where A-Rod knocked his future teammate and then friend Derek Jeter by telling Esquire that Jeter wasn’t a leader, and that you never had to worry about him in trying to beat the Yankees. He fretted more at neutralizing Paul O’Neill and Bernie Williams.

Next, are his MIA performances in the playoffs. Rodriguez has been a huge disappointment in the post season. Since he hit .421 against the Minnesota Twins in the 2004 ALDS A-Rod has batted .258 (8-for-31) against Boston (2004 ALCS); .133 (2-for-15) against the LA Angels (2005 ALDS); .071 (1-for-14) against Detroit (2006 ALDS); and .267 (4-for-15) against Cleveland (2007 ALDS). In those 5 playoff series Rodriguez had 4 home runs and 9 RBI. He collected 11 extra-base hits, while striking out 22 times in 94 at bats. His overall average was .244.

Speaking of the playoffs, how about Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS and that lame, schoolyard, play when A-Rod grounded to pitcher Bronson Arroyo and then slapped the ball out of Arroyo’s glove as Arroyo was attempting a tag while Rodriguez ran down the first baseline? It did no good, as the umpires ruled interference and called A-Rod out. Derek Jeter who advanced to second was sent back to first and the momentum the Yankees were gaining was lost

That play like the one where A-Rod yelled "MINE" behind the back of Toronto Blue Jay third baseman Howie Clark on a pop up causing Clark to miss catching the ball just fueled A-Rod's detractors with more ammunition to point out the numerous flaws in A-Rod's character.

More recently, Joe Torre described A-Rod in his new book “The Yankee Years” as having a “single, white female” obsession with Jeter. He also described Rodriguez as a narcissist who would rather look good doing something rather than just doing the job.

Then in early February ESPN broke a story that Rodriguez had tested positive for the steroid Primobolan and testosterone while taking a drug test in 2003 while playing for the Texas Rangers. A-Rod was later interviewed by ESPN’s Peter Gammons and he admitted the story was true.

On Feb. 17 A-Rod faced a throng of reporters and readmitted his cheating, but when answering the ensuing questions A-Rod raised more questions and left many of us scratching our heads with his responses
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Then, one of my favorites A-Rod faux pas occurred the very next day in Dunedin, FL where the Yankees took on the Toronto Blue Jays. After Rodriguez exited the game at the end of the 5th inning he signed autographs and then got into an SUV being driven by his cousin Yuri Sucart. No big deal right? Except this cousin was the same cousin A-Rod said at his press conference supplied, injected and used steroids with him in 2003. Not a very smart maneuver for someone trying to get himself out from under the shadows of media scrutiny. The Yankees had to politely tell A-Rod he couldn’t have Cousin Yuri hanging around any of the organization’s property from then on. Well, duh!

Sunday, Mar. 2 A-Rod played his final game with the Yankees before heading off to join Team Dominican Republic competing in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Before he went he sat down with MLB investigators who wanted to question him about the circumstances surrounding his steroid usage. The outcome of the meeting is still shrouded in mystery.

A-Rod wasn’t gone a day when he made a statement about Dominican teammate and cross town Met Jose Reyes, which led many to believe he was dissing Jeter and fellow teammate Johnny Damon.

"I wish he was leading off (Damon’s job) on our team or playing on our team (Reyes plays shortstop; same as Jeter); that's fun to watch,” A-Rod said.

In one sentence Rodriguez was construed to be maligning two of his teammates. I said at the time I didn’t think those concerns ever entered his mind. He was just complimenting a very gifted player. By itself that statement would mean nothing, but given the totality of the stupid things A-Rod has said and done the statement became a story.

The latest chapter of A-Rod’s saga has to do with his recent hip injury and surgery to repair the labrum in his right hip. Of course, this shelved Rodriguez for up to 9 weeks, so the Yankees don’t expect to see him until mid-May. But, even while he has been home recuperating and rehabbing his hip A-Rod managed to become the center story of the Yankees universe again.

How long are the Yankees going to keep biting their tongues and supporting this troublesome star? Your guess is as good as mine. However, A-Rod has become Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity. You keep doing the same things over and over and over again; expecting a different outcome. So far nothing has changed.

Rodriguez continues to be a black eye to himself, his teammates, the New York Yankees, Major League Baseball, his family and his friends. If he ever thought that his confession about using steroids might have saved his chances for getting into the Hall of Fame those thoughts are quickly fading into obscurity.

Alex Rodriguez is like a tiger’s tail the Yankees are holding onto. Do you keep holding onto it or do you let it go?



© 2009 Yankees Talk Shop @ yuku.com

Redistribution, rewriting, rebroadcast, or republication of this story without the prior written consent of Yankees Talk Shop, Pride in the Pinstripes or its affiliates is strictly prohibited

Posada Makes Catching Debut
37-year old veteran returns behind the plate







Special to Yankees Talk Shop
March 16, 2009

It’s no secret that from the time catcher Jorge Posada headed to the disabled list last July the New York Yankees have missed him. Posada, a home grown Bomber favorite, ended his 2008 season with shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum and a damaged rotator cuff that refused to improve with rest and rehabilitation. His backup, Jose Molina, did a wonderful job standing in for the 37-year old Posada, but where he could cover Posada on the defensive side of the ball he couldn’t come close on the offensive side.

From 1998 through 2007 Posada averaged 21.2 home runs and 83.6 RBI. His high water mark was in 2003 when Posada hit .281 with 30 home runs and 101 RBI. The home run mark tied the Yankees single season record for a catcher previously held alone by Hall of Famer Yogi Berra. As a career .277 hitter, Posada notched his best overall season at the plate in 2007 by hitting .338 to lead all catchers in the majors. He added 20 round trippers and 90 RBI, and recorded career highs in OBP (.426) and SLG% (.543). The Yankees rewarded Jorge with a new contract at the end of the season by signing him to a 4-year, $52.4 million contract.

The promise of a going into a new season armed with a new contract faded quickly as it became apparent Posada wasn’t performing at his usual high level. It became obviously clear that Posada was hurting. He had no zip on his throws when trying to nail runners trying to steal on him. In 41 attempted steals Posada was only able to gun down 7 of them for a .171 percentage, which was far and away the poorest showing in his career.

On April 9 the day after a game against the Kansas City Royals where he complained of having “dead arm” Posada had an MRI performed on his right shoulder area. Originally the MRI revealed a strain on the hinge and Posada was happy he wasn’t headed for a place he’d never been…..the disabled list.

"I am really happy it's not bad," said Posada at the time. "It's good news it's not worse."

Posada tried to work through the pain and attempted to strengthen the area, but no improvement came forth. On April 28 Posada shut it down and headed for the basement.

“It’s the biggest disappointment of my career, probably,” Posada said after making his decision. “Being on the D.L., not being able to participate in games, it’s really tough for me. I thought it was coming along, but it’s not. We have to find out what’s really bothering me.”

Posada returned to New York and later met with Dr. James Andrews of Birmingham, Ala. who operated on Posada’s labrum in 2001. Posada said that he thought surgery wasn’t needed, but was worried the injury wasn’t getting any better.

“It’s not getting any better, so we’ve got to find out what it really is,” Posada said. “The M.R.I. showed a strained muscle, and I think it’s more than that.”

While on the DL Posada rested, took batting practice and playing long toss, trying to strengthen the shoulder enough for him to return to the team. He was expected to DH and play first base in order to get his bat back into the lineup.

On May 31 Posada threw to twice to second in an extended spring training game and reported no pain in the shoulder.

"The second one was better than the first one," Posada said. "It felt good throwing the ball. I’m happy with it. I’m happy the way I felt."

Posada returned from the disabled list on June 5, but didn’t start the game. The next day Posada told the press that he would have labrum surgery performed at the end of the season.

"It's good enough. I think it's good enough to get going here... There's no discomfort. Obviously something's messed up in there. We're going to have to get that fixed after the season," Posada said.

However, things were not “good enough to get there.” Posada, when he was allowed to catch a game, continually had trouble throwing runners out. Teams caught on and they purposely ran on Posada, because he was a defensive liability. That forced manager Joe Girardi to play backup catchers (especially) Jose Molina and Chad Moeller more.

Not only did Posada’s defense suffer, but his hitting started suffering as well. By July 19 Posada was hitting only .268 with 3 home runs and 11 RBI.

The next day, Posada went on the DL for the second time and the Yankees went hunting for a bat. They found one in Pittsburgh in the person of Xavier Nady. The Nady trade sealed the deal for Posada who said with Nady on board there wasn’t the pressure to return before the end of the season.

On July 30 Posada underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery to repair the labrum, and then began a six month rehabilitation and strengthening program in order to get back to catching for the Yankees in 2009.

The Yankees for their part have brought Posada along slowly. He reported with pitchers and catchers in mid-February and it was decided Posada wouldn’t catch a game until mid-March.

"If everything goes according to plan, the first month might be a little slower than the other months to ease him back into it, but we have plans for him to be our everyday catcher," Girardi said.

The Yankees stuck with that plan as Posada had been a DH going 9-for-22 (.364) so far in the spring. Yesterday Posada saw his first action behind the plate in nearly 7 months. Posada caught four innings; 3 with Andy Pettitte and one with reliever Phil Coke as the Yankees beat the Houston Astros 5-1 in Tampa.

Posada didn’t have a baserunner attempt to steal on him in the game.

"Today was very important," Posada said to reporters. "I wasn't nervous; I was excited. I was really looking forward to catching. It felt surprisingly good."

The closest Posada came to having a chance to test his arm was when the Astros speedy center fielder Carlos Gomez stood at first base.

"I was hoping he would take off so I could make a throw," Posada said. "Not try to rush anything, just make a throw, be under control and see how it felt."

The times Posada did throw, like throwing down to second in between innings, to third after a strikeout and throwing back to the pitcher, he reported no pains or problems with his shoulder. His teammates seemed just as pleased to see No. 20 behind the plate.

"It was good to see him back there," Pettitte said to reporters after yesterday’s game. "He seemed normal to me. I guess I'm so used to seeing him back there; the way he sets up is embedded in my head. He said he felt great. The biggest thing for him is going to be when guys try to steal, seeing how his arm reacts."

So far it’s good for both Posada and the Yankees. According to Girardi the Yankees are hoping to work Posada into catching between 100 and 110 games this season. Posada didn’t want to put a cap on the possibilities.

"Let's not put a number on it," Posada said. "Today is one of many. I have no idea how much I'm going to catch. I feel good, and if I'm healthy, I'd like to catch a lot more than they're talking about. We won't know until we play games and get to that point."

General Manager Brian Cashman put it this way.

"It's good that we got to this day," Cashman said. "We thought we wouldn't be ready until mid-March to start catching in games - and here we are. So we got to this point, that's an important first step of many more. These next few weeks, we'll really see how he's getting through this."

At least now, not all of those steps are uphill.



© 2009 Yankees Talk Shop @ yuku.com

Redistribution, rewriting, rebroadcast, or republication of this story without the prior written consent of Yankees Talk Shop, Pride in the Pinstripes or its affiliates is strictly prohibited

The Constant Gardner
Brett continues to improve his game







Special to Yankees Talk Shop
March 10, 2009

Coming into spring training Brett Gardner has something to prove to the New York Yankee brass. He has to prove that he belongs on the field playing at the crown jewel position of the New York Yankees. The same position that has seen such past greats as Earl Combs, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Bobby Murcer, and Bernie Williams. Brett Gardner has to prove he’s the 2009 center fielder for the Yankees.

The road to making this team hasn’t been an easy one. Gardner is a good old Southern boy born on August 24, 1983 in Holly Hill, South Carolina. With a population of around 1,300 Gardner attended high school at the Holly Hill Academy and later attended the College of Charleston where he was as unrefined as a ballplayer that the school would only take him as a walk-on.

Gardner remained an undrafted player after his junior year and if drafted at all he was projected to go in the lower rounds of the Major League baseball draft. It was in the second half of his final year at Charleston that teams started to take notice of his talent.

The New York Yankees called on Gardner and drafted him in the 3rd round of the 2005 Major League draft. He was assigned to the Short Season-A, Staten Island Yankees in the New York-Penn League. Gardner played 73 games for the Yankees hitting .284. He showed promise as a base stealer by swiping 19 bags in 22 attempts (86%), and helped the Yankees grab the McNamara Division title. In the playoffs Staten Island beat the Auburn Doubledays in the finals to take the New York-Penn League championship.

In 2006 Gardner moved up the Tampa Yankees where he played in 63 games before moving up to the Yankees Double-A affiliate the Trenton Thunder. Gardner finished the year playing in 118 games and batted .298 (.323 in Tampa and .272 in Trenton). He proved his prowess as a base stealer once again as he nabbed 58 bases in 70 tries (83%). Once more Gardner helped his team as the Thunder took the North Division crown of the Eastern League before falling to the Portland Sea Dogs in the semi-final round.

Gardner started out the 2007 season with the Thunder where in 54 games he hit .300 and drove in 17 runs while getting caught stealing only 4 times in 22 attempts (82%)

Things got tougher for Brett when he moved up to the Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barrie Yankees for the second half of the season. Gardner’s batting average fell to .260 and he only knocked in 9 runs in 45 games. However, he was still proving to be a threat on the base paths as he stole 21 of 24 bases (88%)

In 2008 Gardner had his dream come true as he was called up to the Bronx on June 30. The dream turned into somewhat of a nightmare as Gardner found out there was a world of difference between the levels of talent at the Triple-A level opposed to the major leagues. Gardner struggled mightily at the plate hitting only .161 in 56 at bats.

Gardner who had a reputation of being patient at the plate in the minors tried to use that same ploy in the majors, only to have it backfire. Gardner turned patience into reluctance and pitchers threw pitches in for strikes often putting the young player into a 0-2 count. Gardner struck out nearly once every 4 at bats (23.6%). The one bright spot in Gardner’s time in New York was his speed and stealing ability. When he did get on Gardner stole 13 times in 14 attempts. That wasn’t enough to keep him around and on July 26 he was demoted back down to Scranton.

He had to wonder if he had seen his 15 minutes of fame.

Gardner used his time in Scranton to improve his game. He worked with hitting coach Butch Wynegar to change his stance slightly by lowering his hands.

On Aug. 15, Gardner was recalled to the Yankees and hitting Coach Kevin Long continued to work on Gardner’s mechanics, taking out the stride in his stance, which allowed him to get to the ball quicker. The changes paid off as Gardner finished the rest of the season batting .283 (.228 overall).

In the off season Gardner continued to work at his hitting. Watching all of his at bats during the 2008 season along with continual batting practice has helped Gardner reinforce the corrections he’s made in his mechanics and also the areas he needs to improve.

So far, the result of hard work has paid off. In the eight games Gardner has played in he has gone 8-for-21 for a .381 BA. He hit his 3rd home run of the 2009 pre-season equaling the number he hit in Scranton last year. He has a lofty .435 OBP and a SLG% of .905.

"I'm seeing the ball well and my timing's pretty good right now, just trying to take advantage of good pitches to hit," Gardner said of his recent success.

Gardner is in a battle with Melky Cabrera who held the position most of last year until he was demoted to Scranton because of a substandard season. Cabrera who had his own rough beginning when he was promoted to the Yankees in 2005 came back in 2006 and had a very productive season (.280 BA, 7 HR, 50 RBI). He followed it up with another outstanding season in 2007 as Cabrera batted .273 with 8 HR and 73 RBI.

However, in 2008 Cabrera regressed at the plate and wasn’t showing the patience he had in the previous two seasons. Cabrera’s average dipped to .249 and his OBP and SLG% plunged as well. Cabrera was only hitting .201 with runners in scoring position when he was given a ticket to the minors.

When he went down, Gardner came up.

Cabrera returned to the club in September and had his first plate appearance on Sept. 17. Cabrera finished the month hitting 6-for-13 for a .462 average and a .923 OPS. There was something positive to build on in the off season.

Cabrera spent the winter playing ball, working hard in his home town of Santo Domingo and adding muscle to as he put it, “add strength and agility.”

The stage was set for a battle royal between Cabrera and Gardner in spring training.

We’ve seen Gardner’s numbers so far this spring, but what about Cabrera? He knows he has to come out and sparkle otherwise he will be the odd man out and that could mean a trade.

Cabrera’s numbers have been solid, but so far not in Gardner’s universe. Cabrera is hitting .278 with 0 HR, 2 RBI, a .381 OBP and a .389 SLG%.

In fielding percentage both Gardner and Cabrera are about dead even. Cabrera has no errors in 14 total chances while Gardner has one error in 13 total chances. Gardner has more speed, and both have good arms with Cabrera’s being slightly stronger.

Right now, it appears that Gardner has the inside track to start the season in center field, but keep in mind there is a lot of spring training left.

Manager Joe Girardi told reporters, "It's still wide open. There's a lot of things that can happen in the next few weeks. I don't think it's fair to really start judging too much now."

The competition between Cabrera and Gardner should remain fierce and it will be a fun duel to watch. Gardner knows that consistency and continued hard work will pay off in the end. As for Cabrera, he knows he let down last year and now has to fight for the position that he’s already won before.

However, the ever upbeat Gardner put it this way.

"I hope that we both make the team and both make a positive impact."


© 2009 Yankees Talk Shop @ yuku.com

Redistribution, rewriting, rebroadcast, or republication of this story without the prior written consent of Yankees Talk Shop, Pride in the Pinstripes or its affiliates is strictly prohibited

To Play or Not to Play!
A-Rod opts for surgery







Special to Yankees Talk Shop
March 9, 2009


One thing is for sure, nothing is coming easy to Alex Rodriguez these days. First, he is accused of being a steroid cheat. Then, he admits the story is true. Next, he faces an army of news media at a press conference scheduled at George M. Steinbrenner Field and readmits his cheating.

Afterward, he answered numerous questions about said cheating and his answers to these questions led to more questions. The press checked on A-Rod’s claims and statements and decided he came off looking like a less than honest or contrite dishonored athlete.

Meanwhile, all the Yankees could do is wring their hands and try to minimize the damage done by their stained star. They came out in support of Rodriguez. Last Sunday Rodriguez played his last spring training game in Yankee pinstripes before leaving the club to join the Dominican Republic team competing in the World Baseball Classic.

Before doing so, A-Rod sat down for about two hours and chewed the fat with Major League Baseball investigators about the circumstances surrounding his using steroids. What exactly was discussed remains a mystery, but A-Rod was described as being “cooperative.”

After A-Rod’s departure the thought around the clubhouse was that with Rodriguez playing elsewhere the focus would return to baseball. After all, the Yankees had scored big in the off-season with the 3 largest (and not just in terms of money) signings of the winter. They had landed C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira.

However, with all the drama surrounding A-Rod the Big 3 faded into the background faster than a speeding bullet. Not to mention there were other storylines such as Chien-Ming Wang’s return after foot surgery, Jorge Posada after shoulder surgery and Hideki Matsui after his second knee surgery. What about Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy? All of these newsworthy items took a backseat to the on-going soap opera known as A-Rod.

Well, any thought of the Yankees being able to discuss anyone or anything else besides Alex Rodriguez was short lived.

On Tuesday, the Yankees announced that Rodriguez was playing with a hip injury that wouldcost him his opportunity to play in the WBC. They stated A-Rod had been playing with soreness in his right hip and that an MRI taken of the area on the previous Saturday showed a small cyst in the hip. He was examined by Dr. Chris Ahmad who recommended A-Rod see hip specialist Dr. Marc Philippon in Vale, CO.

Rodriguez saw Philippon on Wednesday and the news was mixed. First, the cyst was confirmed, but the second examination revealed A-Rod had a torn labrum in the hip as well. Apparently, labrum tears cause fluids to accumulate leading to a cyst, and that can weaken the muscle. Dr. Philippon drained the cyst and A-Rod’s activities were immediately suspended.

The Yankees approach at first was complete rest and rehabilitation.

It’s shocking, just shocking information,” Yankee GM Brian Cashman said at the time. “Last night we were all caught off guard. ‘Wow, surgery is an option.’ The other option is the conservative side. We hope that’s the way it’s going to work out. We also know it might not possibly happen.”

As late as this past Thursday Rodriguez planned on playing this year with the labrum tear; foregoing surgery until after the season was over. The thought of starting the season without A-Rod wasn’t one the Yankees relished. Their only option, if Rodriguez had surgery, was to start Cody Ransom at third.

Ransom is a 33-year old journeyman infielder who has had only 183 major league at bats. The bulk of his career has been spent at the minor league levels within the Yankees, San Francisco Giants and the Houston Astros organizations. Last year Ransom played in 33 games for the Yankees at four different positions. He hit .302 with four home runs and eight RBI.

Nevertheless, the Yankees worst fears came to pass as they announced yesterday A-Rod would have surgery today in Vale under the supervision of Dr. Philippon.

Was there really another option? No, not when you’re dealing in dollars and sense. Here you have arguably the greatest player in baseball history, not to mention the highest paid one to consider, and to panic early without even one game being played in the regular season makes no sense at all. Sense won out and it was decided A-Rod would take care of the injury now, rather than trying to play with it and possibly doing further damage to his hip; damage that could shorten a still bright career.

The prognosis is that Rodriguez will miss between six and nine weeks of the season. Looking ahead that would put A-Rod at mid-May to rejoin the team for the remainder of the season.

Even now the thought of starting the season without Alex Rodriguez at third base is distasteful, but realistic to the Yankees.

"It's better than him missing the whole year, but I don't ever think it's good news when you're going to miss a player for six to nine weeks," manager Joe Girardi said after the announcement. "It could have been a lot worse."

The doctors performing the surgery will repair the labrum and shave down a section of the bone to reduce the chances of it tearing again.

"There's always a risk with surgery," said Dr. Philippon. "But the approach we're using is definitely much safer than letting Alex play the way he is now." Philippon estimated A-Rod’s return this season at 90%.

One of the persons most affected by this turn of events is Girardi. After the Yankees missed the playoffs for the first time in 13 seasons Girardi knows there is a big target painted on his back. Losing A-Rod made his job just that much harder. Nonetheless, Girardi remained upbeat about the decision.

"I'm glad we're doing this now instead of a week before the season," Girardi said.

Even Cashman said A-Rod was excited to get the surgery done now rather than later.

"When it first happened, he said he was bummed out," Cashman said. "There was uncertainty of not knowing which direction to go. When this option became available, it seemed like the obvious choice.”

"Alex sent me a text message last night, and it was really positive," Cashman added.

So what does this all mean now? As Bernie Williams said on Friday when contacted about A-Rod’s situation, "As hard as this may sound, it could be a blessing in disguise for him, because it might give him an opportunity to get away from all this craziness and give him an opportunity to heal. Kind of dissipate the whole distraction."

Williams also discussed the Yankees.

"I think probably it might be good for the (Yankees), too," Williams continued. "It's gonna leave a big hole in their lineup, but they have enough firepower in that lineup. Obviously (Rodriguez) is gonna be missed. But they have a lot of firepower to compensate for his loss. Hopefully they'll be able to do well."

That’s exactly the mindset the Yankees have to have. Other players will have to balance out A-Rod’s absence. It could also prove to the Yankees that having an all-star player at every position isn’t needed. You can win with role players, like the Bombers did during their World Series run from 1996-2003.

One of the players expected to help out is Teixeira. His approach is a simple one.

"Anybody that plays professional sports wants to win," Teixeira said on Friday before the surgery announcement. "There's an empty feeling when you go out and have a good individual performance or a good individual season and you have nothing to show for it as a team. It's a little frustrating, and that's why I signed with the Yankees. I don't want that to ever be an issue again."

"I've never played for a contract and I've never looked at myself as a salary," Teixeira went on. "It doesn't matter how much money I make or what team I'm on; I want to perform. The contract is something that other people talk about more than I do."

As for him jumping into the huge hole left by A-Rod’s absence, Teixeira said, "I've been in the spotlight my whole career. Every year I play, I expect to put up huge numbers and I expect to help carry a team. That's not going to change in New York. There may be more people watching, but I'm still going to go out and do what I've always done."

As for doing his job Teixeira had an answer for that as well.

"I didn't come here to play at 80 percent, hope to hit some home runs and drive in some runs; I came here to do what I do," Teixeira said. "Brian Cashman didn't sign me to go out and steal 50 bases or hit .380; he signed Mark Teixeira, so I'm going to go out and do what I do every year."

If everyone on the team has that same approach, just doing their jobs, and not thinking they have to “make up” for A-Rod the Yankees will be fine. All they have to do is play their game and do what they can do, because no one can replace an Alex Rodriguez.

Girardi said it best about Teixeira and the others, "He can only do what he can do. That's what we have to guard against, that guys will think, ‘I've got to pick up for Alex.' You can't pick up for Alex. Just do your part and things will be good."

If the Yankees can do that, then, when A-Rod returns it will just be icing on an already beautifully made cake.


© 2009 Yankees Talk Shop @ yuku.com

Redistribution, rewriting, rebroadcast, or republication of this story without the prior written consent of Yankees Talk Shop, Pride in the Pinstripes or its affiliates is strictly prohibited

A-Rod’s Worst Enemy? It’s A-Rod, Of Course!
Statements and actions are continual source of friction







Special to Yankees Talk Shop
March 4, 2009


Major League Baseball investigators finally got around to their highly anticipated meeting with Yankees’ third baseman Alex Rodriguez regarding his recent admission that he was had used illegal performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-03 while playing for the Texas Rangers.

Rodriguez, playing in his final spring training game before leaving the Yankees to play for Team Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, left Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds after collecting 2 hits. Afterwards, he sat down for about 2 hours to answer questions relating to his use of illegal substances before coming to the Yankees.

After the meeting A-Rod wouldn’t talk about what went on behind closed doors, but Rodriguez was described as “cooperative” with investigators. However, does cooperative equal truthful?

The substance of the interview is not known, but what is know is that A-Rod appeared to be less than 100% genuine when he faced nearly 200 members of the news media on February 17 at George M. Steinbrenner Field to answer questions after reading a prepared statement. Reporters were allowed to ask one question with no follow up, and though Rodriguez admitted he screwed up he couldn’t or wouldn’t answer questions as to whether he thought he was a cheat, on why he took the illegal substances or why he continued to use them when he said he didn’t know if they did him any good or whether he was using them the right way. Often he appeared to be at a loss for words, searching for the right response to a question that caught him off guard.

Rodriguez’s answers left everyone with a lot more questions. It’s a good thing Rodriguez didn’t blame anyone else for his circumstances, because there is no one who gets in A-Rod’s way more than he does. Need proof? Here are a few examples.

Exhibit A:

During the press conference Rodriguez said he received his supplies through his cousin, whom he refused to identify, and that his cousin injected him with a substance with the street name of “Boli.” A-Rod told the audience this substance was a legal, over-the-counter drug that could be purchased in the Dominican Republic. “Boli” is possibly the term used for Primobolan, which is a banned steroid. After the press conference reporters contacted authorities in the Dominican and were advised that “Boli” was not a legal over-the-counter drug, nor was it back during A-Rod’s admitted time frame of use.

Reporters later identified the unknown cousin as Yuri Sucart. Sucart has been a staple in Rodriguez’s life for many years. Often seen with A-Rod at his home in Miami, Florida, Sucart’s identity was established by his wife Carman who told reporters that her husband was the cousin A-Rod referred to in the press conference. She refused to speak beyond that.

The Wednesday, following the press conference, with the media smelling stories due to Rodriguez’s less than candid responses, A-Rod left the game against the Toronto Blue Jays and hopped into an SUV being driven by none other than Sucart. Rodriguez was later contacted by Yankee officials and was told his cousin wasn’t welcome around any of the Yankees’ facilities.

The Yankees made their responses to the situation brief.

Brian Cashman said to reporters, “It’s been handled.”

When reporters reached out to manager Joe Girardi for a response his statement was just about as short.

“That situation has been addressed, and I’ll just leave it at that,” he echoed.

This position begs the question, just how dumb is Alex Rodriguez? Why would an athlete who is under the most intense microscope of scrutiny allow the guy he said supplied, injected and used illegal substances with to appear anywhere near the New York Yankees?

This is where anyone in their right mind would say to themselves I trying to repair my reputation so I need to use discretion and caution and not add more attention to myself, my teammates and my organization. Apparently, that didn’t resonate with A-Rod. The cousin shows up, more questions are asked and the Yankee organization has to bear further embarrassment, because their most talented and expensive asset can’t see the circumstances surrounding him for what they are and make smart choices.

In other words, he either says or does the wrong thing.

Exhibit B:

In Joe Torre’s book, “The Yankee Years,” Torre referred to Rodriguez’s relationship with his teammate and Yankee captain Derek Jeter as, “single, white female.” That is to say, Rodriguez emulated Jeter. That emulation obviously hasn’t gravitated to A-Rod’s character flaws and big mouth.

Jeter has often been criticized in the press, because he doesn’t reveal much about his private life relating to A-Rod or otherwise, and that he always, always says and does the right thing. Jeter’s response to these critiques is strictly out of his playbook.

"I understand my job is public, but your personal life is your personal life. Once you open that door, it doesn't stop," he said recently. "Away from the field, people want to keep tabs on how many times we go out to eat, things like that. That has no bearing on what we're trying to do."

Jeter knows his status in New York. He knows whom he represents, and he acts accordingly. In a city where tabloid news runs rampant Jeter does a great job in avoiding the trappings that usually fall upon big time stars. Jeter keeps his public persona as a New York Yankee far away from his private persona as Derek Jeter, citizen. You won’t find Jeter the subject of the smokinggun.com, the New York Post’s “Page 6,” or the National Enquirer. You won’t find pictures of Jeter following a buxom, hot blond into a hotel room after spending the night visiting strip clubs. And you won’t see photos of him hanging out with superstar singers who were married to successful movie directors.

Derek Jeter doesn’t do things that will embarrass himself, the City of New York or the New York Yankees.

Alex Rodriguez seems to make a habit of it.

Exhibit C:

Whether he tries to or not anything said by A-Rod has the potential of being taken in the wrong context. Remember, the supposed ironclad friendship between Rodriguez and Jeter rusted and fell apart after an interview Rodriguez and his agent Scott Boras did for the April, 2001 issue of Esquire Magazine. For those of you who have been living in a cave, in the story Rodriguez told Esquire Jeter wasn’t a real leader.

"Jeter's been blessed with great talent around him," Alex was quoted as saying. "He's never had to lead. He can just go and play and have fun. And he hits second—that's totally different than third and fourth in a lineup. You go into New York; you wanna stop Bernie and O'Neill. You never say don't let Derek beat you. He's never your concern."

Since that quote emerged in print Rodriguez has spent a lot of time backpedaling and justifying his words. However, the damage was apparently done. Jeter doesn’t use the term “friend” or “friendship” in describing his relationship with Rodriguez since A-Rod came to the Yankees in 2004.

So, the only time the Esquire story is brought up since it was big news nearly 8 years ago is when A-Rod says something that could possibly be construed as knocking Jeter. Like yesterday, when asked what he thought about Dominican teammate Jose Reyes’ running ability Rodriguez gushed about him.

"I wish he was leading off on our team or playing on our team; that's fun to watch, A-Rod said."

Here’s the rub with that statement. I don’t think Rodriguez was knocking anyone. I think he was genuinely complimenting a very gifted athlete in Reyes. However, perception is everything and choosing your words wisely is important.

First off, away from the World Baseball Classic, Reyes plays for the Yankees’ cross town rivals, the New York Mets. Next to complimenting somebody on the Boston Red Sox, complimenting someone on the Mets is cannon fodder too. Two, he plays shortstop, which is the position currently occupied by Jeter, and third, the leadoff batter is Johnny Damon.

So, in one fell swoop A-Rod gives the appearance that he’d rather have Reyes in the lineup and playing shortstop over his aforementioned teammates. As I said, I don’t think that is what he was trying to convey. But, when you stick your foot in your mouth as much as A-Rod does any time you say anything those words are going to be picked apart.

A better way to have responded to the question is, “I think Jose is a really talented ballplayer and any team that has him leading off and playing short is fortunate. I’m enjoying playing beside him for the Dominican Republic. That said, I’m also lucky to be playing on the Yankees next to another talented shortstop by the name of Derek Jeter who will be a first ballot hall of famer. We also got a pretty good leadoff guy in Johnny Damon.“ That way you can compliment the one player without giving the appearance you are slighting others.

Alex Rodriguez said he came to the New York Yankees to win a championship. I’m sure that’s true, but there might be underlying reasons why he hasn’t won any before coming to the Bronx. Rodriguez, since arriving in New York has been a lightning rod of controversy and tabloid material. Look at what’s happened over the past month or so. C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira were the biggest free agent signings over the winter. All accomplished by the Yankees. But, here we are two weeks into spring training and in every New York newspaper, Yankees blog and fan website all you read about is Alex Rodriguez.

There is no doubt about it, A-Rod is his own worst enemy, and in the end he may prove to be the Yankees’ worst enemy as well.


© 2009 Yankees Talk Shop @ yuku.com

Redistribution, rewriting, rebroadcast, or republication of this story without the prior written consent of Yankees Talk Shop, Pride in the Pinstripes or its affiliates is strictly prohibited