A-Rod the center of attention again
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The Blue Jays are not pleased with Alex Rodriguez. They said he yelled, “Mine!” as he passed behind Howie Clark in the ninth inning. Clark backed off the pop-up and it led to the Yankees scoring three runs.
“I’ve never seen it happen, maybe I’m naive but I thought it was a bush-league play. That’s not Yankee pride right there,” Toronto manager John Gibbons said.
Clark said that in all his time in baseball, he had never experience such a thing.
Rodriguez said he yelled, “Ha!” because, “I was excited running around third base. I don’t know what my intention was.”
Why he would be excited running around third base as the final out was going to be made is uncertain.
It’s up to you to decide whether it’s gamesmanship or poor sportsmanship. I’ve covered baseball games for about 25 years now and I’ve never seen a runner do that. The only time you see it is when a catcher is chasing down a ball near the dugout and the guys inside yell.
Joe Torre, Johnny Damon and other Yankees didn’t seem to know what to say about it.
“You know … I don’t know what to feel for it. It’s baseball. It’s not like he said, ‘I got it,’ ” Torre said.
Torre would never criticize his own player on the record for something like that.
The Yankees play Toronto again on July 16. Just a prediction, I’m going to guess Rodriguez gets hit by a pitch that day.
One thing is sure, the guy is always at the center of something.
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on Wednesday, May 30th, 2007 at 11:43 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
That play changes nothing. They already had the lead and the Jays went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning. It’s like whining you didn’t get to eat a slice of pie when you’re already full.
Pft. Clark’s just bitter because he was idiotic enough to turn around before he caught the ball.
But you can bet obsessed Sox fans will take this one out of proportion too. Especially when A-Rod continues to tee off of their pitchers.
They = The Yankees
Clark should have caught the ball regardless. He wasn’t in the outfield with his back turned to the plate when an outfielder called him off. A major league player needs to catch that.
Funny to see Jason Phillips getting mad after the ARod incident when he had that bush-league inside the bag shove of Phelps yesterday.
Ha ha Sunny615, Priceless
Gibbons should just shut up and worry about his SS not catching a pop up. I’ve seen this many times but again it doesn’t get centered too much , and can Gibbons shut up about Yankee Pride what the hell does he know about that.
I can see the BJ’s being pissed if this play affected the outcome of the game, it didn’t get over it.
Controversy, thy name is Alex Rodgriguez.
Why can’t this guy just play the game? For such a great player, he’s always smack-dab in the middle of all these questionable plays.
Should be interesting to see what ol’ 38pitches has to blog about it tomorrow.
“Rodriguez said three or four times each week, opponents shout at him while he pursues foul pops near their dugout.”
i think they are just pissed because they fell for it, its one of the oldest tricks in the book … its like falling for the hidden ball trick. its just embarrassing… if i was a ball player i’d be calling “i got it” all the time. its not like u are physically touching anyone. just yelling.
i don’t think its fair to say you’ve never seen a runner do that, because nobody knows whether a runner has or not. We don’t hear everything on TV or from the stands or press box.
All we know is this is the first, or one of the first times someone fell for it.
Just looking around to see what players were available as FA or could be had by the trade deadline… just looking. I came across Dan Miceli as being a free agent. Tampa Bay released him at the end of March. Apparantly no one picked him up. Anyone know why? Is he broken or just fell apart? I remember him being a fairly strong arm in the pen for the Astros…could be a decent pick up… maybe….Anyone?
IMO it was sorta bush league, but it didn’t alter the outcome of the game, so no sense crying about it.
Also, I agree with JFud25: “Funny to see Jason Phillips getting mad after the ARod incident when he had that bush-league inside the bag shove of Phelps yesterday.” Frankly, that was my initial thought also.
is it any less bush league than middle infielders pretending the ball went into centerfield on a stolen base (when it is really in their glove)? Or middle infielders that pretend to be turning two on a “supposed” ground ball in a hit and run (when it is really a hit into the outfield)?
I don’t think so…AROD’s explanation is stupid. he should just say what he did.
I played minor league baseball and we were taught, yes taught…by Jose Cardenal and Sammy Mejias, that with 2 outs and pop ups in the infield to yell out “I got it!!!” if we were on base…it is rare that you get such a great opportunity like AROD had (being right behind the 3rd baseman and actually coming at him at the same angle as a SS would be)…but, like others have said- that is just AROD luck.
A-Rod being A-Rod, to spin the Boston line–he always seems to do something stupid like that. I’m not surprised that he has a reputation for not being liked, but it’s legal so I’ll live with it. He wants to win, even if it means he looks like a fool (big, white mickey mouse glove swat at Bronson Arroyo in Game 6 2004 ALCS comes to mind).
But that guy should have caught the ball, he’s a fool as well. A-Rod probably thought he’d just give a shout out and see what happens. A-Rod was probably just as surprised.
Yanks win! A-Rod WILL get plunked next time for sure.
Peter-
I am wondering if you can comment on how the players are reacting to George King (NY Post Beat writer) after his paper crossed the line in talking about players private lives.
Do you think the media has crossed the line with this type of reporting? Also do you think this is a one time act or will it become the norm for the media to report on players personal life just like Hollywood Celebrities?
Also, it is funny how everyone loves to make A-Rod the “villain”. Just last night a Blue Jay player took out Phelps and cost us the game, but his manager responds that he is just playing “hard” and not “dirty”.
It’s about sportsmanship and I am sorry to see a Yankee team scoring extra runs like that.
If Clark catches the ball it’s a 2 run lead only and the Jay’s would have tried a lot harder to get a man on the base and the tieing run on the plate.
Clark was the 3rd baseman and his shortstop was in his back right behind A-Rod. He figured he was the one yelling.
Sorry can’t agree with this, cheap play A-Rod.
They showed replays of this and it’s easy enough to lip read.
Alex had his mouth wide open and he appeared to be yelling “ahhhhhh,” no words were articulated. I wasn’t on the field & didn’t hear him, but from the video of his so-called actions and the actions of Toronto players, this thing is being totally mis-represented. They romped over the Yankees in the first 2 games for God’s sake. Isn’t Gibbons the one who got in a fight with Ted Lilly in the tunnel up there? They’re a very good team, but the video makes it pretty clear.
Peter, I’m wondering if George King is a real person.
He’s the only Yankee beat writer that you never see or hear about outside of the ridiculous stories he writes a few days a week for his tabloid. No TV appearances, no radio talk shows, no blog, nothing even on Google…
“Yankee12
It’s about sportsmanship and I am sorry to see a Yankee team scoring extra runs like that.
If Clark catches the ball it’s a 2 run lead only and the Jay’s would have tried a lot harder to get a man on the base and the tieing run on the plate.”
Vernon Wells grounds out, shortstop Derek Jeter to first baseman Doug Mienktiewicz
Matt Stairs grounds out,o second baseman Robinson Cano to first baseman Doug Mienktiewicz. Two out.
Frank Thomas files out to right fielder Bobby Abreu. Three out.
How do they try harder?
No, Yankee12. It’s about winning. Not that A-Rod did anything bad anyway. Shouting on the field apparently happens all the time, but no one falls for it. Until tonight, that is.
So do you think that dekeing a player into believing the ball was caught is also dirty? Or dropping an easy infield fly (when the infield fly rule hasn’t been called) in order to get a double play?
A-Rod shouting “Mine!” is not only acceptable baseball, it’s genius baseball. No rules against vocal interference as far as I know. The Yankees have said it time and time again: we do what we have to do to win. Well, this is something that they had to do to win. Now, some people are claiming that A-Rod’s move and the runs following it were pointless. However, insurance runs changes the momentum of a game in a heartbeat.
If A-Rod had just let the ball fall, Toronto might have still felt the game was in their grasp. However, after finishing the inning with a score of 10-5 instead of 7-5 is a big deal.
The Yanks are in such a hole now they need to do what they need to do in order to win. It’s not cheating, it’s not cheap. It’s clever.
If any BJ’s pitcher hit him next time, strike back.
I play hockey twice a week and without fail AT LEAST once per game a player will rap the ice with his stick or call out for a pass in order to get someone from the opposing team to pass the puck to him. It’s just part of the game.
I’d love to see the replay but SportsCenter has been ten solid minutes of people yelling about basketball. Time for bed.
its only a controversy because Alex is the one who did it. Are you really going to tell me than in over 100 years of baseball no player has every yelled HA or even I got it as he was rounding the bases?
Susan, his mouth wasn’t wide open. YES showed a slo-mo replay on the post-game show and his mouth was very clearly closed, as in yelling “MINE.”
But regardless of whether his mouth was open or closed, I’m still wondering why he was excited running around 3B on the out?
That’s what’s so frustrating about this guy. It’s bad enough he does these stupid things…but then he makes it even worse by making ridiculous comments, excuses and/or justifications after it’s over.
A-rod obviously drummed up tonight’s controversy to defelct attention from Stray-rod. Therein lies the true genius of his yawp!
Bwahahahahahaha!!!
Oh please the Jays are acting like 2 year olds. That player is just embarrassed because he didnt catch the ball. Even if Arod did do something fine then that was one run, it is not like they lost because of that one run and play…they still gave up another 3.
It is funny how other teams can do whatever they want and it is ok but they act shocked if the Yanks do something. They can throw at the Yanks all they want but if the Yanks throw back then they are bad. I have seen Lugo and Crisp take out Cano and Jeter a million times on DP balls and no one says a thing but ofcourse Arod does it and it is “dirty”. Manny stands and looks at his HRs for 20 minutes and it is fine but if the Yanks did it then they are showing up the other team. I think teams are just soo used to the “Torre way” where the players never say a word and do not stand up for themselves so other teams know they can take advantage of it.
This is one of the unwritten rules of baseball.
We have a team that should be beating anyone in the league without needing stuff like this. Negative attention.
We were lucky today, rookie pitcher blew it for the Jays, but it has got to get a lot better.
The mentality has got to improve and that’s what is a big part of what happened tonight.
We need commitment and not a player who is happy to win in an unsportsmanlike way instead of playing his heart out for his team and making the fans proud of the way they play.
Yeah, I love this idea, folks.
Let’s be the team that everyone stomps over (running over our first basemen, throwing at our batters, etc.), and we can take it all with a smile.
Let’s shake their hand after we lose, and leave the field happy that though we didn’t win, we have their respect.
That’s what we want, isn’t it? Yeah, that’s exactly what George Steinbrenner pays the players to do..
oh brother people that ave a problem w/ it please cry me a freakin’ river , it happens all the time in baseball, on a foul ball especially. McDonald’s job is don’t fall for it stop the BS already.
wow, the Whore of Bristol puts the tabloid image up on Sports Center–quelle surprise……
Peter:
Nice job cherry picking quotes and avoiding ones from Torre and A-Rod that completely dispel all the controversy that you, ESPN and the rest of the media will try to stir up.
A-Rod: “I get yelled at three or four times a week.”
Torre said the same thing is yelled at catchers all the time.
This is conspicuously absent from your blog, which is supposed to inform Yankee fans regarding stuff like this.
When dealing with A-Rod your blog might as well be Pravda.
Andruw Jones does it all the time…….
“We need commitment and not a player who is happy to win in an unsportsmanlike way instead of playing his heart out for his team and making the fans proud of the way they play.”
Yankee12,
You don’t speak for all of us.
I, for one, am DAMN proud of the way this team played today, including A-Rod. Do what it takes.. to win. What he did wasn’t illegal.
If what he did was so bad, the unwritten rule would have been written by now. I’m sure there’s also an unwritten rule not to run headfirst into the first baseman when you realize you’re going to be thrown out unless you tackle him.
For the record, anybody who’s ever played baseball should NOT be bitching about this play. It’s not hard to make a catch when someone shouts at you or not. This kind of thing is pulled in baseball all the time. Don’t care what Pete or the losing side says about it.
Pathetic display by the Blue Jays. Catch the ball.
Peter,
If what Charlie says is true, regarding Torre dismissing this, I’m a bit disappointed that you didn’t give us the whole story.
After reading your entry, I thought Torre was pissed off at A-Rod.
thank you Charlie. (clapping my hands proudly)
WAAAAAAAAH WAAAAAAAAH WAAAAAAAAH
ESPN:
This is a game where players try to steal signals, put pine tar in places no one can find, use sun tan lotion (Kenny Rogers anyone?), fake missed catches on stolen bases, dive into players to break up double plays. Yelling HA seems a little insignficant.
There you have it.
I think this is only a big deal because it involves Arod, blue jays players were just embarrassed cause they fell for it, it didn’t change the outcome of the game. From the slow replay by YES, he didn’t seem like he said “mine” didn’t see his mouth form the “M” but hey whatever. We won a game and I’m happy about that!
So if it’s okay for the opposing dugout to yell at a position player trying to catch a foul ball, it’s not okay to do the same in fair territory? And why is that?
there is evidently some sort of a double standard that is being used to judge the yankees and the rest of the teams.
i dont see anything wrong with doing whatever it takes to win, as long as its within the rules
In no way was Torre pissed off at A-Rod, at least not in the postgame interview YES showed.
And Torre indeed said that bit about players in the dugout shouting “I got it” at an opposing catcher going after a pop-up…that’s not something Peter just happened to know.
Very shady, Peter. Biased, even.
Good for A-Rod. Its a bit in a gray area, but really, is this any different that trying to steal signs, or when a pitcher fakes a throw towards first and then looks to third, or any other similiar situation? The third baseman still should have put in some effort for it. Maybe thats why he’s a career minor leaguer. And that SS is no better.
Suggesting that it’s never been done before? Hinting that Torre, Damon and others were upset with A-Rod? This post is up there with ‘Underdog.’
It was payback and bad karma against Jays for Hill’s stolen base in Pettite.. Pettite should won that game and have better fate than his record show
Waahhhhhh waaaahhhh waaaaahhhh — Mean old A-Rod disrupted my concentwation and I dwopped the ball! – Clark
Waahhhhhh waaaahhhh waaaaahhhh — our shortstop needs absolute silence to catch an infield pop! Shhhhhhhhhhhh!!! – Gibbons
“I, for one, am DAMN proud of the way this team played today, including A-Rod. Do what it takes.. to win. What he did wasn’t illegal.”
I agreed with this.
Also — come on guys, we all know A-Rod isn’t exactly Pete’s favorite player. Add that to the fact that this story isn’t all that interesting and you can see why Pete might cherrypick quotes to make it seem like more than it is.
Any way that any person might try to spin it, at least A-Rod is trying to win. And really, what self-respecting Yankees fan can complain about something so innocuous as yelling “mine” (if he actually did yell that) in an era where much worse things have been done to gain that winning edge?
Please.
Boo Giambi or something if you want to get mad about shady practices. Seriously, find better things to turn into a controversy.
I, for one, will say that hell yes A-Rod, that’s what we need brother and that I sincerely hope the Blue Jays (who were getting beasted regardless) grow up and act like men instead of hugeee freaking babies. There’s no crying in baseball!
Honestly, thats like the oldest trick in the book. Thats part of baseball. He could yell “I got it” too and its not out of line. That never works anyway. You do that since you’re a kid so if you fall for it as an adult thats on you. I really dont think thats anything disgraceful at all.
You are killing me Summer LOL
Sometimes an infield pop up looks like a beautiful blond…
There’s no crying in baseball.
I’m happy to see A-Rod happy and relaxed out there. That smirk was priceless. That’s definately not a play you try if you are uptight.
Maybe that can be the turning point of the season.
That’s a cheap-ass play and if Arod doesn’t think so why the absurd cover-up after the game?
A catcher knows he’s in enemy territory when he approaches an opposing bench and a team jockeying him is fair play. It’s the rough equivalent of having a beef with a guy and taking a swing at him while looking him in the eye as opposed to taking a swing at him when his back is turned.
Crap like this, coupled with the fact that we never, ever, EVER, drill an opposing batter when Jeter gets hit, or when they pose at home plate, makes us look like the punkest team in the league.
Peter, I am a huge fan of yours, but this post is wrong and rather dissapointing to read. I am actually surprised by it.
Clark didn’t back off. It was behind him and he had no chance of catching it, unless he bent backwards and to the side to get it. He is also a fool as he let A-Rod distract him.
He didn’t back off. That is a total lie. He didn’t position himseld well under it. What A-Rod did really had no effect on him missing it.
Torre has no reason to criticize A-Rod on record or off the record. Torre himself said catchers go through that all the time by the other teams dugout.
You need to edit this post as it doesn’t show well for you. Maybe too much time in Canada has warped your brain.
The “I GOT IT” or “HA” A-Rod video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUxNUk0CAZg
I DON’T CARE IF IS RIGHT OR WRONG, THE GUY I SHOWING LOVE TO THIS TEAM AND HE IS DOING EVERYTHING HE CAN TO WIN.
BUT THIS IS JUST A PLAY, BUT WAS A-ROD , AND THEN ALL THE ENVY CRYING BABIES OF THE LEAGUE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO OVERSIZE EVERYTHING HE DOES, THATS NOT BIG DEAL.
SHUT UP AND PLAY STUPID BLUE JAYS. CUZ A-ROD IS YOUR FATHER
If it’s commonly accepted to yell at catchers and corner infielders fielding pops near the dugout, why not elsewhere on the field? Might be as simple as no one thought to do it before.
Also, it annoys me when people throw around the phrase “Yankee Pride”. It’s become the baseball equivalent of a parent who says “I’m very disappointed in you”.
AND where the hell are your little posts about Phillips pushing Phelps at 1st or Hill stealing home in a cheap attempt to score a run.
I am starting to see some trends. Are you sure you are a Yankees fan? Is this the only job you could get? An unknown paper with a small readership. Without this blog, you would be an unknown. Don’t ruin it by idiocy like you are showing here.
Maybe this is why you could only get a job with a small paper.
Right now I don’t care what things they resort to to win. It’s time for no holds barred baseball, your pitcher hits a Yankee, we hit back, no more ‘losing with honor’ BS, it’s time to win some games, call it controversial call it unsportsmanlike who cares. No rules were broken and we got to write a W in todays column.
There was no cover up during post game. I’m sure AROD said those things to Pete, but he also said the things shown on YES network, and there was no cover-up.
He admitted to everything…so strong work Pete.
Everyone wants to dump on AROD, what about the fool behind him? There were 2 Toronto players there and none of them could catch it? Shame on them.
The *only* reason why we’re talking about this is because the jays’ third baseman was dumb enough to fall for it. You’re a professional ballplayer. There are millions of fans screaming obscenities about you’re parentage and you can’t handle a “HA” by another player. Grow up. Elbows are thrown in basketball. Football has all kinds of dirty plays. Hockey has the same deal – stick tapping and pretending to be on the opponents team to get a pass. Arod didn’t elbow the guy in the back or run him over in the basepath. He yelled HA. If you can’t catch a pop up, go back to AAA.
That’s the best lie AROD could come up with ? He was excited about running the bases ? Maybe verbal interference is not technically wrong but it’s not technically wrong for a Jays’ pitcher to stick one in his ear next time he bats against them. After all accidents happen
Gary Carter routinely use to tell batters as the pitch came in: “Ooooo… this is your pitch to hit…”
Gibbons complaining about it is like Torre complaining about the called 3rd strike…
Marius – can the personal attacks. Don’t like small town papers & writers go suck up to George King and the big boys in the Apple.
If a player is dumb enough to fall for it, he’s the one that is the fool. Great job A-Rod. Personally, I hope he continues with this and lets everyone know that he doesn’t give a f*ck what people think about it.
I also looked at the replays – Arod was almost behind the 3rd basemen when he yelled. The ball didn’t land until Arod was almost at third, a good 3 seconds away. The ball landed a good 5 *feet* to the left of the 3rd bm. The guy was not even close to being under it. Do not tell me that that popup can move 5 feet in three seconds in a straight left from where the 3rd bm was standing. Also, the 3rd bm never looked away from the ball. He didn’t look left or right to see who was yelling – so he had the ball in his sights the whole time. It seems more like he misplayed the ball and shifted the blame to Arod’s yell as a distraction more than actually fooling him not to catch it.
Randyhater,
This sort of stuff is a part of the game and these little tricks are used by all players at all levels. Players fake tags, steal signs, turn phantom double plays, and yes sometimes yell out things to confuse the other team. All of these things are completely legal and a part of the game. The only people who whine about it are those who are stupid enough to fall for it. And give me a break, when you step out on that field, its all enemy territory, not just by the opposing team’s dugout. Players should be prepared to deal with those kind of distractions anywhere on the field.
I do agree with your point about not sticking up for our hitters though. I really wish we would send the old fashioned black and blue message to the opposing teams. I can’t stand that our team does nothing when a punk like Manny stands for a minute at home plate watching his HR’s go out.
That being said, I don’t think this A-rod play makes us look like “punks” because it goes on all the time and is done by every team. The only reason people are talking about it is b/c it involved A-rod. Nice of the BJ’s to conveniently forget last night’s play when Phillips shoved Phelps though.
Mel Hall’s uppercut did you see AROD’s interview on YES? discard what Pete said, ’cause AROD did not leave it at that.
Awesome points as usual sunny615.
Either way, it’s on the 3rd bman to make the play. He had the ball. Called it and was no where near it when it landed. It’s a different story if the ball was within arms reach when it landed. If you look at the replays (God Bless TiVo), the ball was far enough away when it landed, the guy would have to leap to make the catch. He misplayed it. Usually in a popup – guys surround the area where the ball lands. And usually, they’re all within arms reach of the ball – they just watch it land in front of them on a boffed play. This guy was a good couple of feet away when it landed. He had to run to it after it bounced. That’s a misplay, not a “Oops I thought the SS had it.”
“Maybe verbal interference is not technically wrong but it’s not technically wrong for a Jays’ pitcher to stick one in his ear next time he bats against them. After all accidents happen”
Mel Hall’s uppercut,
What else would be new? Yankee batters get beaned by opposing pitchers ALL the time. You make it sound like this would be something completely new that no one would ever think of doing to the Yankees. Grow up, please.
By the way, there is no need for the personal attacks on Pete. He does an amazing job on this job, and a lot of people appreciate it. Oh, and you should find out a little about the paper you are insulting before making idiotic statements.
Completely acceptable gamesmanship. I’m happy ARod did it; he should do it every day of the week, and twice on Sundays, if the opposing fielders are such incompetents that they can’t catch a popup with someone yelling nearby.
found these on minor yankee blog, heres a look at our future … joba chamberlain, can’t tell too much, but from the looks of it, he has a great fastball and curve
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAKACNeKgak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAaJ4bT_OLA
him and kennedy need to get promoted soon since we wont be seeing hughes anytime soon.
“i think they are just pissed because they fell for it, its one of the oldest tricks in the book”
The Todd– Abraham just said he had never seen that play in 25 years of covering baseball, yet you call it the oldest trick in the book. I’m guessing you’ve never played the game.
A-Rod wouldn’t tell anything to Pete. A-Rod, with the most of the Yankees hate the reporters and the media. There are some that don’t, but there are usually the ones not making much money and happy to be on a team, like Minky and roid boy Giambi. Impressive.
Just watched the video. The 3B TOTALLY misplayed the ball!! He was nowhere near it, and didn’t back of after Arod passed!! He can blame Arod all he wants, but there is NO WAY he makes that play.
I am a fan of Joe Torre and have no problem with him pitching Proctor against Rios the other day instead of Bruney.
However, this idea that Rios’s 2 for 2 against Bruney and 0 for 8 against Proctor justfies the move is crazy. That is such a small sample size! 0 for 8 is like having 2 bad games, from the batter’s perspective, and anyone can do that. And 2 for 2 is even less meaningful. It’s only 2 at-bats!
Proctor showed last year what he was made of, and Joe Torre trusts him more than any other middle reliever, and that’s why Torre put him in the game. I doubt the 0 for 8 and 2 for 2 had anything to do with his decision.
I am slightly confused by the people so outraged by this – Arod didn’t smack the guy. He in no way physically interfered with the 3rd bman’s path to get to the ball, or catch it. He didn’t steal the guys glove, give him a wet willy, or throw dirt in his eye. He didn’t elbow him in the groin, tie his shoe laces together, or de-pants the guy. He yelled HA. If he can’t catch it – how in the blazes is that Arod fault?
Make. The. Catch.
ESPN’s Fernando Vina: “Leave the kid alone; Respect the game”
This coming from a guy who leaned his elbow out over home plate to get hit by pitches that would have been called strikes.
“franky
I am a fan of Joe Torre and have no problem with him pitching Proctor against Rios the other day instead of Bruney.
However, this idea that Rios’s 2 for 2 against Bruney and 0 for 8 against Proctor justfies the move is crazy. That is such a small sample size! 0 for 8 is like having 2 bad games, from the batter’s perspective, and anyone can do that. And 2 for 2 is even less meaningful. It’s only 2 at-bats!
Proctor showed last year what he was made of, and Joe Torre trusts him more than any other middle reliever, and that’s why Torre put him in the game. I doubt the 0 for 8 and 2 for 2 had anything to do with his decision.”
How about 2006 stats
Bruney’s BAA at Roger’s Centre .364
Proctor’s BAA at Roger’s Centre .148
Bruney’s ERA vs Toronto (Home and Away) 2.25 ERA | .353 BAA
Proctor’s ERA vs Toronto (Home and Away) 1.15 ERA |.132 BAA
“franky
Proctor showed last year what he was made of, and Joe Torre trusts him more than any other middle reliever, and that’s why Torre put him in the game.”
ps – I also agree with that statement a lot too.
mark1 one. come on, u’ve never heard someone call for it while they run the bases, they do it all the time in the dug out, even arod commented on that, “That play happens to me three or four times a week, except it’s not at third base, it’s over in foul territory by the dugout,” Rodriguez said.
listen, i have all the respect in the world for pete but just because a reporter, whos way up in the press box say hes never heard someone do that before is a little ridiculous.
i’m sorry i dont think arod is the 1st player in the history of baseball to think of that and do it, he might be the first to actually pull it off. but hes not the first to actually say “i got it”
That fact that this is even the topic of discussion is hilarious. There was nothing wrong with that play, no matter what he yelled. You know, I bet you if you asked someone like Jim Kaat or Phil Rizzuto, or some other old time announcer, they’d have some colorful anecdote about how some player like Billy Martin used to do the same thing…and they’d be laughing the whole time they told the story. Really people get over it.
And I’m with you on the Vina comment Tampa Yankee. For God’s sake, Vina ought to worry more about that Lee Press On Beard of his falling off during the show.
Haha i really dont see anything wrong with Arod saying ha as he goes by the third baseman. The third baseman should of caught the ball regardless of what Arod said. In my opinion Arods situation is equivalent to playing basketball and you tell a player dont miss while hes shooting.
Using someone else’s bad behavior to justify your own is something that children do.
An athlete should hold his peers in a certain respect. If you can’t understand why what he did was bad sportsmanship, then that’s a *you* problem.
Jimmy,
Which sport do you play professionally again?
You guys are funny.
On the road, because the managers have small offices, so typically the TV people conduct their interviews first, clear our then the print reporters have their chance. So I didn’t “cherry pick” any quotes. I used the quotes that were told to me directly.
As for A-Rod not talking to us, the players are in the larger, more open clubhouse. So they talk to everybody at once. Alex basically repeated the same thing over, that he said “Ha!” and that he was happy to be rounding third.
Joe was asked twice about it by us and both times he lifted his hands in a “what do you want me to say?” gesture. Then he tried to defend him as best he could.
Obviously it was a legal play. But it’s not the kind of thing most players would do. But Alex has a way of doing those kind of things.
Gibbons should look at the replays before he believes his career minor leaguers when the ball was 3 feet away from him and then he makes stupid comments. Like he should talk about it being “bush league” when he gets into a fight with one of his players(Lilly) and they almost punch each other, yeah that is someone who should be talking. He also fought with Hillenbrand and was cursing him out in the newspapers very professional.
Pete,
Giambi got into an argument with the catcher at the plate regarding the matter. That’s what caused the umpire to say “Shut the **** up” to the catcher.
As for the other Yankees, the benches were being held back, and no one was really making any threatening moves. What were they supposed to do? Surround A-Rod in a group hug because the other team was giving him mean looks?
I can tell this season is crazy, because the team is losing games it should be winning, and I am defending players that I don’t normally defend, and in ways I don’t normally defend them.
THIS IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS. We are ONLY talking about this play (and I NEVER say this) because it involved Alex Rodriguez. Other players do this sh*t all the time. How about when a middle infielder deeks a runner on a throw coming in from the outfield, that is going to Home not to 2B? How about an infielder pretending he’s thrown a pick-off attempt back to the pitcher when he is still holding the ball in his glove?
This is complete BS. I NEVER defend A-Rod, but this is complete BS. The 3B has 55,000 fans yelling at him when he is trying to make that play at Yankee Stadium. He can’t handle it when A-Rod yells something at him at Rogers Centre?
Come on. Get serious.
Like Giambi has for using steroids? But was defended left, right and center?
Why would players come out, for what? Damon looked like he was trying not to laugh while being interviewed. And even if Torre had a real problem with it, is not the Yankee way not to hit an opposing player in retaliation? Torre should have been more emphatic? That way it could have been dismissed as Torre doing what is right as a manager.
There is drama now? This is a joke.
Unless you cancel the results of all the post season games the Yankees played against Anaheim in 2002, no one should have an issue with anyone yelling hah or ah. If you check those games and player reactions, the acoustics were such that no Yankee could hear anything another player said/yelled at him on the field. I don’t think the Yankees should’ve agreed to play under those conditions. They apparently weren’t prepared with sign language to overcome this problem. This was much worse than 1 player yelling, of course. Anyone who thinks Arod was at fault here will therefore be writing letters asking for the 2002 Anaheim games to be voided. Otherwise, you have no argument.
Carson:
Phillips was telling Giambi that he might get hit by a pitch. The umpire then warned Phillips not to try anything.
“You guys are funny.”
Do you always need to be this condescending?
yes ppl here r constantly condescending. I guess it makes them feel better about themselves because their mothers didnt hug them as children
as a few guys above said, it’s bush league for clark to have fallen for it.
how would what A-Rod did be any different than the Hidden Ball Trick?
How is what Arod did any different than:
1) The dugout example Peter gave
2) The hidden ball trick mentioned above
3) A MI tricking a base stealer into thinking a throw is coming when the ball has been hit to the OF.
4) A runner clapping and dancing at 3B to try and draw a balk (Jose Reyes did that exact thing to tie a game in extra innings the other night).
5) A fielder pretending he caught a ball when it was a trap.
6) A baserunner pausing in front a fielder on a ground ball.
The list could go on…the bottom line is that there is nothing wrong with doing everything possible within the bounds of the rules to win games. Once again, this is only an issue because Arod is involved.
Also, for someone who is supposed to be so concerned about his image, Arod seems perfectly willig to doing anything it takes to help the team win. Correct me if I’m wrong, but whether it’s chopping at Arroyo, sliding hard into Pedroia or yelling “Ha” behind Clark, the underlying motive has been a desperate attempt to avoid an out. I LOVE THAT ABOUT AROD. Most other superstars would be too concerned about sullying their reputation, but Arod seems to only care about winning.
I’m wondering what the reaction would be if it had been Jason Varitek or Coco Crisp who did it.
My grand dad once told me about a Proud baseball franchise, I think he said it was the Yankees….but I guess he was confusued!
1. He did not say “Ha.thats itâ€?. Look at the tape. A-Rod said one syllable…..â€?Mineâ€?. He realized, after talking to Torre, must likely, that he messed up..and tried to cover it. “mineâ€?…not ha…thats itâ€?
2. He is the biggest bush leaguer around. You yankee fans are right not to cheer for this goof. He has won you no championship, he disgraced your team during the “slap of the glove� against Boston.
3. Those arguing “A win is a Winâ€?….you are pathetic. It’s like saying you would burn your Yankee jersey for a win. The Yankee jersey..the Yankee passed is something to up-hold, something to protect.
4. Dont take A-rods comments “it happens to me all the time�. No MLB player, on the field has shooted out crap while on the field. from the dugout, before the ball is in play, yes….comments come on. You can’t show me one instance…not even one…where a player has shouted to another player to distract him from making a play.
cheers boys,
Dwayne
Gibbons has short term memory problems. I guess he forgets the night before Phillips ran OVER Phelps while he was in the act of fielding the ball. He has no business doing that.
Jennifer ->…thats baseball! It’s been done for 130 yrs. Phillips has the right to run over the base!
Why is it that his own teammates didn’t defend him..his coach was basically speechless!
A-rod was on the field of play…the rules for yelling etc are different from the stands or the dugout..then on the playing field….while the play is on-going! What A-rod did didnt effect the outcome of the gamne..but it was a bush league act….something that MLB players said afterwards they have NEVER Seen!….
come on people…He is an ass….you were right along! This team, with A-rod on it..is going nowhere.
Dwayne…I suggest you look at the tape…he couldn’t have said mine because he mouth never closed, as you would expect if he said a word beginning with a “m”. Instead, it’s clear the word he said required an exhale…”Ha” is such a word.
Instead of worrying about the Yankees, I’d worry about an organization that flat out lies about its players injuries and then smugly admits it.
If it wasn’t a career minor league player on 3rd, the play probably would have been made. There is probably a reason why he has been in the minors for 16 years. He is only with the big club due to all of their injuries.
Gibbons is a punk. I wish he had come out there and let Arod slap him.
And Peter, if this was Melky or Phelps or even Matsui that had done this, none of you media guys would have given it a second thought……same thing with the “Stray-rod” crap. If Doug M. was the one out on the town with some woman, does that make the front page????
You guys are vultures.
More Bush League Examples:
1) Nealy coming to blows with your pitcher on the mound.
Let’s see…who has done that? Thank you, John Gibbons.
Thanks sunny615 I was just getting ready to post what you said. He was no where near catching it. And what infielder yells MINE, (if that is indeed what Alex yelled) don’t they yell I GOT IT! Please he lost the ball, knew Alex yelled something as he ran by and was pissed that he couldn’t catch it. The ss wasn’t watching the play very carefully otherwise he would have seen he didn’t have it line up. (if he says he did, he’s lieing he was far from where it dropped.) Anyway like others have pointed out, it wouldn’t have mattered anyway, they went down meekly (sp) in the 9th.
I saw a college game one time where a liner was going at the second baseman with a runner on first base, the second baseman was going to have to jump to get it, and as the runner went by the second baseman, he jumped up at the same time and clapped, the second baseman dropped the ball and there was runners on first and second, and it became a big inning.
So how many of you cry babies were yelling “that’s not fair” when Reggie stuck his butt out to block a throw to first base against the Dodgers in the World Series?
I’m sure you were all saying, “Reggie, that’s not playing fair. You’re a poor sport. Don’t be mean to those Dodgers”
Come on.
Will,
I’m not sure what replay you were watching, but his mouth clearly closed, as it would do if he were speaking a word beginning with a hard consonant. I just saw it again, in slo-mo, on ESPN and it’s clear as day. Go ahead, say it…HA…your mouth never moves, other than perhaps your lips opening a bit wider. If that’s all he had said, then there’s no way the camera would’ve picked up that he said anything at all.
When the ball first dropped, before anyone knew what had happened, Ken Singleton said that the Blue Jays were jawing at A-Rod and Gibbons had come out on the field to yell at him too. My first thought was, “Oh great, here’s something else for the Torre bashers to jump on — Joe’s not out there.” As things started to unfold, I noticed that not only did Joe not come out there, but not one Yankee did either.
And for those ripping on Peter for his coverage of this whole mess, I suggest you read the other NY papers. All are covering it the exact same way.
1. He did not say “Ha.thats itâ€?. Look at the tape. A-Rod said one syllable…..â€?Mineâ€?. He realized, after talking to Torre, must likely, that he messed up..and tried to cover it. “mineâ€?…not ha…thats itâ€?
Dwayne From Toronot- Pretty sure he didn’t say “Ha…That’s it.” He was probably telling people “I said Ha.” “That’s it” meaning that all he said was ha. So, last time I checked both Ha and Mine are 1 Syllable (even to Al Gore).
This is utterly ridiculous – If Jeter did it we’d be praising the Captain’s hear, brains, and will to do anything necessary to add a run. In the Friday night game at shea a week or so ago, Reyes caught a line drive, and PLACED IT ON THE GROUND like an idiot, and then tried to throw to first but the ump saw him. I think we can all agree that deception/attempted deception is a big part of sports.
Lastly-
Pete does a GREAT JOB on this blog. I’m a partial season ticket plan holder for the yankees, and this is one of few places I can actually stand to read about them. Pete gets information out to us faster than most other sources. I’m pretty sure George King could do a blog if he wanted.
To all of you who do nothing but criticize it, Why bother? stop coming. Those of us who enjoy the blog just get frustrated seeing you bitch and moan that Pete is biased. We’re here cause we’re all biased
“That’s not Yankee pride right there,â€? Toronto manager John Gibbons said.
You know, as you’ve never done anything associated with the team, you miiiiiight wanna STFU about “Yankee Pride”.
I love how all these guys who have nothing to do with the Yankees and don’t even root for the team try to tell Yankee players and fans what “Yankee Pride” is.
The Jays are just pissed that they got burned on a little league play.
I just totally crack up reading these comments from Yankee/Arod apologists. Was it a despicable thing to do? No. I’ts just pathetic. Is it the same as deking a runner? Absolutely not that’s commonly accepted and you’d never see a team get pissed about that. It’s bush league, JV type of stuff. Just ask yourself one thing. Do you think Derek Jeter would do that? Seriously now..take off the rose colored glasses and admit its not at least a tad embarrassing.
Get it straight ARod gets grief in large part because he brings it on himself. There’s a reason that he finished second to Barry Bonds in a recent SI poll of PLAYERS as to who they dissliked most in the game.
” I wonder what the reaction would be if Jason Varitek did it”
Are you serious?? Not only would he not do it, but Jeter wouldn’t, Damon wouldn’t , Posada wouldn’t….It’s EMBARASSING and pathetic people. Admit it.
John D.
So wait, we’re supposed to crucify every player who doesn’t play the game the way Jeter does? Don’t know if you noticed this, but people are different. Doesn’t make them worse.
I’m also guessing that there are probably 252 million reasons that a good number of people hate A-Rod.
I also hate the term bush league. You know what’s bush league? Allowing yourself to get called off a pop up that you were camped under, had clearly called 10 seconds prior, by one word. Trust me, if another infielder is going to call you off of a ball, one word isn’t going to do it. A valiant attempt to deflect attention off yourself though Blue Jays.
Yeah John Gibbons. Steve Howe was Yankee pride, Strawberry and Gooden were Yankee Pride. Giambi is Yankee Pride. Hal Chase, he was Yankee Pride. But I’ll save you the lessons in Yankee history, your team needs to take some infield practice.
sunny615 pretty much nailed the situation.
Nothing wrong with the yell. It’s nice to see some emotion out of this team.
WWJD= What Would Jeter Do?
Personally, I couldn’t care less.
Donna,
I just looked at it again on MLB.com and I stand by my original comment. There is no way he said mine, and it is possible he said “Ha”.
Good Job Monster in Rockland foe the A Rod video, can’t believe Clark fell for it.
Clarke is on ESPN First Take saying he was in a spot where ordinarily the SS wouldn’t call you off, especially when you’re “camped under the ball”. Glad you know you screwed up dude.
The same type of play happens in basketball everyday. Pay close attention to the free throws during these playoff games. Guys are shouting and throwing their arms up in the air. Go visit Rucker or any other court and watch a pickup game. Guys are always shouting as someone releases a shot. It’s gamesmanship. If a professional ball player can’t make a play under these circumstances, then they need a little more practice.
Will,
We’ll have to agree to disagree. I too just saw it on ESPN again and there’s not a chance in hell that “HA” is what he said.
And again, no one has answered the question — why on earth would he even supposedly be yelling “HA,” or anything else, as he was heading towards 3B on the final out of the inning? If you buy that he was “excited running around 3B,” then I have some swampland in Florida for sale.
As for the “What Would Jeter Do” posts, who cares? Unless I was watching a different game last night, Jeter went 0-4, and Alex contributed to some very welcome insurance runs, helping to break this current losing streak. We need some momentum going into this weekend and every little bit helps.
Donna if you can’t realize he really wasn’t trying to justify why he was yelling when he was rounding third then you must really believe him when he said he didnt know what Gibbons and McDonald was saying to him. Even though he was carrying on a conversation with them.
Exactly Frank, who cares if Jeter would do it or not or what he thinks about it.
sunny615,
I agree totally! Saw the replay. The guy wouldn’t have caught that ball whether ARod says anything or not. He was making excuses for not making a play. For those who say it never happens, you have never played sports or never seriously watched either. Read a lot of papers, maybe?
Its part of the game and if you can’t take it, go have a tea party somewhere!
Peter does a great job and he IS entitled to his opinion just like we are!
Great job Pete (I think you’re wrong here, though:)
if the roles were reversed and jeter and arod would have been the defensive players and a blue jay would have yelled “Mine”, arod would have fell for it and jeter would have caught the ball.
the blue jays are really complaining because their defensive instincts on fly balls are more like arods than jeter’s.
i thought i’d throw that in to really confuse the non issue.
there are lots of ways to win in baseball. billy martin did it one way.joe dimaggio did it another. one thing i will say. when someone calls you bush league, they are running their mouth, and that is in itself bush league. if you are going to do something, shut up and do it.
Let’s trade A-Rod for Kobe Bryant now, while we have the chance.
If the Blue Jays can honestly say they never stole signs from the catcher, or figured out the base coaches signs to throw out a runner, or practiced any other form of legal deception, then they have the right to be upset. However, it broke no rule and they fell for it. Move on, the game has bigger issues. If Phelps does this no one cares. It’s a story because it’s a-rod.
When a player gets HBP or brushed back intentionally, the right thing to do is to return the favor when the other team comes up to bat. It’s not “legal” but it’s how the game has always been played. Eye for an eye, right? So if Toronto has a problem with A-Rod shouting at them A) they should’ve caught the ball in the first place – they aren’t paid millions to drop pop-ups and B) shout at the Yankees when they go to catch popups. Don’t whine about it.
Donna and Will – the tapes don’t lie. He clearly yelled, “NOONAN!”
Clark should have remembered to be the ball
It’s as bush league as it gets. If it happened to the Yankees we’d all be angry.
Of course if it wasn’t A-Rod there wouldn’t be so much talk.
Actually, if that happened to our third baseman he’d get killed for not catching the ball.
Its amazing, all this talk about A-Rod but little of how a third baseman deferred to the SS on a ball that was clearly his. The real problem not being addressed. Its like overweight people getting a pass when Super Size me came out. Blame the restaurant, not the guy who can’t control himself.
I remember a similar incident happening approximately 2 years ago, but I cannot for the life of me remember what teams or players were involved, and what exactly happened. I believe it involved one of the midwest teams… I think what happened was one of the infielders yelled out something, the baserunner thought it was somebody from his team or the umpire, and then got tagged out. I can’t really remember too clearly. All I remember is John Kruk and Harold Reynolds arguing for minutes on end about it on Baseball Tonight.
Now I can see why Yankees fans are the most irritating/hated fans in baseball. If you go to a game in the Bronx you throw beer and food at other fans, not only are you sore losers you are poor fans. Enjoy 13.5, or should I say 14.5 after this weekend… Can’t wait for A-Rod to get hit by Schilling and Beckett for his cheap play against Pedroia a week ago.
Plus, Lavon, if you knew anything about baseball you would know that the SS has control of the infield and calls off anyone on that side. Just like the CF has control of the outfield. Even if another player has better position they are the kings of the field. Way to once again show that Yankee fans know nothing about Baseball.
John D I’d like to inform you that was Jeff Kent that finished behind Bonds for unfriendliest player. What’s up with these dumb Sox fans on our blog anyway? Chris if you remember according to Sox fans Schilling was supposed to bean Arod last week because of the Pedroia play, what happened to that?
Oh that’s right it never happened because the Schilling is smart enough to realize that’s not the way to get back at the Yankees. The most effective way to do that is by winning.
Chris get a grip. Don’t even go there. I’m well aware the SS runs the infield that does not mean every play is his to make. Thats an idiotic stance to take. You’re the only guy that thinks that was a SS’s ball to take.
And Chris make sure you tell Clarke he’s wrong since he also seems to think (based on his own quote) a ball like that is ordinarily the third baseman’s to take.
The problem with A Rods actions is that it will lead to more injuries. Players will ignore “mine” “got it” etc. if they know that base runners will get away with distracting comments like that. its not good for baseball or for the players or for the fans. deep down everyone knows that is no way to “win at any cost”. it just leads to worse behavior and dirtier tricks. how much of this stuff do you allow?
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