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There is much debate about the Alex Rodriguez yelling incident on Wednesday night in Toronto.
Was he right or wrong?
Vote in the poll over to the right.
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on Thursday, May 31st, 2007 at 2:21 am by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings joined the The Journal News in October 2009, having spent the better part of seven years covering baseball in Scranton, PA. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri and an award-winning beat reporter and features writer. E-mail me at cjennings@lohud.com
Sam Borden is an award-winning journalist who joined The Journal News
and LoHud.com in January 2008. He covered the Yankees for the New York
Daily News from 2004-06, and has also worked as a columnist for the
Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. E-mail me at sborden@lohud.com
Copyright © The Journal News, a Gannett Co. Inc. newspaper serving Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties in New York.
It’s part of the game. The major story here is that the idiot on the Jays fell for it.
I THINK THAT’S NOT BIG DEAL, IF THE MAIN CHARACTER WHERE YOUKILIS, MARKHAKIS OR PEDROIA, IT WOULD BE FORGOTTEN QUICKLY BUT ALL THIS IS ABOUT A-ROD AND THEY ARE GIVING TO THIS EVENT AN IMPORTANCE THAT IT DOESN’T HAVE, IT WAS JUST GAME SITUATION AND THE TORONTO GUY HAS TO BE MORE FOCUSED WHEN PLAYING NOT THINKING IN A-ROD, THAT KIND OF TRICKS ARE ANCIENT, HOW COULD BE THAT GUY SO STUPID TO FALL IN IT
IF A-ROD DID IT , IT WAS JUST BECAUSE HE WANTED TO WIN, AND THAT A SIGN OF LIFE IN THIS TEAM, AND THAT’S A GOOD SIGN
Its not that BIG of a deal, no matter what ESPN says.
you can read his lips and he said “ha”…it would be compelte bush league if he said “i got it”…The SS would never say “ha”…in the end, probably better off not saying anything…John Gibbons is a complete meathead so I can see him being upset.
Buddy:
Easy on the ALL CAPS. No need to shout.
They were coming off a five game losing streak – if i was a yankee i would do anything to make sure we won that game. Im glad arod did it. If that was the difference in the game, we would all be kissing his %^&. Addition, how many plays and calls havent went our way this yr? How many games have we lost becuz of those horrible calls or lucky plays? If we had wpm tje game tonight cuz of some luck like that or stupid play like that, i wouldnt mind at all.
Why is the media trying to run arod out of NY? Hes only in the top three players of the generation. I guess ny media doesnt want the best players on our sports teams. That is the only explanation for it. Its great cuz now no major athlete will want to play in NY because they will be scared of the media attention and the horrible way NY media and NY fans treat the players that win for them. If I was teixera or bheurle or zambrano I would be hearing about all the negative attention giambi and arod are getting or that RJ and sheff have gotten amd I wouldnt want to play for the yanks. Its no surprise zambrano already said he wont play for the yanks. Its the same with constantly booing arod in a season where he hits 35 homers – absolutely retarded cuz other players see this and say no to the yanks when they are free agents.
A poll on a yankees fan site? Brilliant. I’m on pins and needles waiting for the result.
You might want to give the poll options that are a little less “slanted” than the ones to the right. Maybe an option of “I don’t care one way or the other?”
if u dont care just dont vote in the poll.
You gotta hand it to Pete, he knows what stories sell. The whole ARod thing completely overshadows the Yankees win, not to mention a great night by Cano.
ARod needs to loosen up. A nite out on the town, a little dancing, would do wonders.
What a biased poll you made there. Is this now a Red Sox blog?
One last thing. Is it just me or does all this seem to be leading to a perfect storm for ARod in Boston. He’s gonna have a hell of a time this weekend. I hope he’s ready.
good point Dr.
and Cgramazio. Doubles galore by Cano shoudnt be overlooked. Love seeing that kid swing a hot bat.
What is the this….even ESPN wasn’t this bad with the A-rod “incident” and that’s saying something. Are you going to talk about the Yankees or are you going to dedicate the rest of blog about everything A-rod. Geez.
If Peter is such a bad journalist, stop coming here. You’re annoying.
bpib — relax, it’s just a poll!
Honestly, I am surprised this sort of thing doesn’t happen more often. I mean – there is nothing intrinsically wrong with what he did – he shouted “mine.” In sports like basketball, people will call for the ball when they other team has it in hopes that the person with the ball will inadvertantly pass it to them. That’s gamesmanship.
At the same time, I can see how this would be wrong. People call for the ball for safety reasons. So I can see how this would be one of the “unwritten” rules.
All I know is, the Yankees better come up with a “code word” when they are calling for pop flies because this is going to be happening to them a lot the rest of the year…..
It was perfectly legal…and weak. The game was basically won.
*Shades of Reggie*
This reminds me of when Reggie broke up a double-play in the 1978 World Series:
* With Los Angeles holding a 3-0 lead, the Yankees had one out in the sixth when White singled, Munson walked and Jackson stroked a run-scoring base hit. Lou Piniella then infield fly to the Dodgers shortstop Bill Russell. The ball hit off Russell’s glove and fell to the ground. Munson, who had hustled back to second when it appeared the ball would be caught, took off for third. Russell ignored Munson, instead stepping on second to force Jackson, and then throwing to first in an attempt to complete an inning-ending double play. Jackson froze in the basepath and with Russell’s throw in flight, moved his right hip out towards the path of the ball. The ball struck Reggie and bounced into short right field, with Munson scoring the Yanks’ second run. The Dodgers argued vehemently that Jackson had intentionally interfered with the ball and that Piniella should be ruled out. The umpires stood by their call.
“source”:http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/worldseries/1978.html
i have no problem with it, in fact i think the yankees need more SOB’s on the team. how many times have fans of the team wanted mussina or wang to hit an opposing batter after jeter/arod/posada have gotten hit.
he is a lightening-rod, he’ll probably get hit the next time they play toronto (which is fine), but lets move on and hope they can win 2 of 3 in boston.
Defensive players try to decoy opponents running the bases, faking the receipt of an imminent throw from the outfield to hold a runner who is not looking, or feigning inactivity to take an incoming throw at the base and tag out an unsuspecting and inattentive runner. Then there is the Hidden Ball Trick, something Stick Michael used to pull off from time to time. The shame in these cases is on the runner for not paying more attention to his surroundings.
When the opposing catcher approaches the dugout to grab a pop foul, the catcher knows to expect the enemy players to attempt to distract him as he approaches enemy lines. The catcher in that case, however, is not awaiting a signal from a team mate as to who will make the play.
Shouting something as a player attempts to catch a high infield pop, when he cannot look around and must concentrate on the ball, is somewhat different, because it is taking advantage of a vulnerability of the defender as he waits to hear an audible signal from a team mate regarding who will catch the ball. It is not as though the defender is being inattentive or negligent.
I will give A-Rod this much: the infielder waiting to catch the ball is not waiting to hear “Ha!” from his fellow defender, he is waiting to hear “I got it!” If the infielder waiting to catch the pop up is thrown off by “Ha!” maybe it is shame on the infielder.
The whole thing is vaguely reminiscent of the Bronson Arroyo incident which gave rise to one of A-Rod’s more colorful Boston sobriquets, “slappy.”
Just A-Rod being A-Rod I guess.
What A-Rod did is perfectly legal and perfectly wrong. No matter what the heck he did or didn’t say– trying to interfere with a routine pop out is unsportsmanlike. End of story. I’m upset to see so many people defending him because of the context. It doesn’t matter who or when– it’s not a classy thing to do. Excuse me for holding the Yankees to a higher standard, but the Yanks I root for don’t win by cheats and gimmicks. I grew up worshiping Don Mattingly, and he was an excellent role model. I feel sorry for young Yankee fans who look up to A-Rod… he’s an amazing athlete, but he’s liable to bend the rules in order to win.
For all those supporting what he did– how would you feel if your kid did the same thing in a little league game? Would you congratulate them? I think not.
That’s the game.
In football (soccer for you guys) players yell mine constantly or I have it, in hopes of confusing opposing players and hoping they let balls through so they can take advantage of it.
Toronto should grow up. Just because the guy fell for a little league kind of play and is completely embarrassed for being such a Bozo doesn’t account for the bashing.
No one’s said itso I will:
That stuff is FUNNY. I was hoping for the hidden ball trick too.
Yanksmitch-
_For all those supporting what he did—how would you feel if your kid did the same thing in a little league game? Would you congratulate them? I think not._
speak for yourself. if my kid did that I’d buy him/her a beer!!
at this point a win is a win.
Yanksmith –
by that same token would you condemn your kid for throwing elbows in a basketball game? Pros do it all the time. Would you yell at your kid if he tapped his stick on the hockey rink calling for the opponent to pass him the puck? Happens in pro hockey all the time. This is the pros, it’s naive to think this stuff doesn’t happen. Ball players try to steal each other signals. How about when catchers “talk” to batters? Act like Pedro? Do you frown when the Yanks do that? Or would you prefer every other team just do it to the Yanks but hold the Yankees to that higher standard and lose gracefully?
Once again, I am 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 to 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?
Either way, it’s on the 3rd bman to make the play. He had his eyes on the ball the entire time. He not once looked away at Arod or the SS. 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 is going to land and they’re also all within arms reach of the ball – they just watch it land in front of them on a botched play. This guy was a good couple of (3 or 4) 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 called it.�
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 “HAâ€? by another player. Grow up. Again, 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.
Make. The. Catch.
Come on guys. I’m a huge Yankee fan but that was bush league at it’s finest. Do little league coaches teach kids to do that (I don’t)? It’s fine for fans to do it but a professional athlete?
The poll Peter did shows just how desparate we Yankee fans are for a win.
That kind of move reminds me off the 84 Mets and what Gary Carter, Hernandez, Backman, etc would do. I’d hope we’re a little better than that.
Take a look at Torre’s post game interview. The poor guy didn’t know what to say. Turn that around and most Yankee fans would be up in arms.
Much like the Bronson Arroyo glove slap, that was bush league.
There’s a reason why Arod was voted in the top 10 most unfriendly players (voted by the players). Not saying it’s a popularity contest but he does not play the game the right way.
Ask yourself this. Would you expect Jeter to do that? Who encompasses the Yankee way more?
The slap is just so funny, if ARod had rammed Arroyo and sent him flying, no one would say anything. I wish he had.
maybe this comparison doesn’t work, maybe it does, but in basketball, players are taught to yell “shot” when an opponent shoots the ball. partly to communicate to their teammates, partly to distract the player shooting.
and if that argument doesn’t work….deparate times, blah , blah, blah
My grand dad once told me about a Proude baseball franchise, I think he said it was the Yankees….but I guess he was confusued!
1. He did not say “Ha.thats it”. Look at the tape. A-Rod said one syllable…..”Mine”. He realized, after talking to Torre, must likely, that he messed up..and tried to cover it. “mine”…not ha…thats it”
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 Win”….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
I thought they did that all the time…like the catcher setting up inside for an outside pitch…or an outfielder deeking a runner into thinking he was going to catch a quail to keep him from advancing…
God thinking like this would completely erase the ‘hidden ball trick’ from baseball lore…
I think this is all about A-Rod again isn’t it?
i dont know about right or wrong but sliding hard , yelling as a distraction and other things of that nature are all part of the game . this is the way a-rod plays . jeter may not but it is what it is . in hockey defensive players knock thier sticks on the ice to try to decieve the offense . what a-rod did wasnt any different .
Just ARod being ARod.
Manny watches his homeruns for about 30 seconds before he starts running the bases.
I think thats pretty ‘bush league’.
There are written and un-written rules in Sports.
Why have MLB players all said that they have NEVER seen something like what A-rod Did.
Stealing signs, backcatcher moving around, trying to scuff the ball…its apart of baseball…has been for 130 yrs…..but……
what a-Rod did…..mmmm…Go Yankees Go~!
two words.
moot. point.
if howie catches tha ball what happens? yanks still lead 7-5.
mo still comes in and 1-2-3’s the jays. Game over.
two more words.
move. on.
are these the same players who said “I never took steroids!”?
So is this the same when players try to break up a double play by sliding past the bag, or sliding clete up, or hands up, to try to distract the player throwing the ball?
Just curious, because for professional players, there is sure a lot of complaining going on.
PA Mike – It’s baseball. Some things are a given…somethings aren’t.
Agree or not agree -> A-Rod truly is a disgrace to the Yankees and MLB??
We think Bonds is bad?? A-Rod will become the Homerrun King one day,….and he has no respect for the Game…traditional!
Sunny – Moot point?! I agree, Yankees were going to win. However, the question is….Why the hell do you want A-Rod on your Team? Is winning a few games worth the trouble? A-Rod lacks respect for his family, his wife, his country, his team, the game!
Was it A-rod who was flip-flopping on what country he was going to play with for the World Cup. He is joke. You can’t defend the guy!
Firstly why is this worse than sliding into second to break up a double play?
Secondly, they did it in the movie Major League!
It’s illegal in high school & college, but these are grown men. Perfectly legal and I have no problem with it. Much better play than Philip running into Phelps the other night — with a nice push to boot.
“yankee way” fans… read up on babe ruth, joe dimaggio, mickey mantle and reggie jackson. tell me what you find out.
Like A-Rod said after the game: what’s the difference between what he did last night and what opposing teams in the dugout yell at him on popups on other nights? Not so sure about the official rule but I applaud him for it. Very funny, and he handled it well after the game not hiding that he said anything.
Oh yeah, nobody wants A-Rod, lets just release him, because by tomorrow he’ll certainly clear waivers, and go play in Japan. (of course, all sarcastic, but there isn’t one GM out there that would say, “A-Rod, don’t need him…what could he bring to my club?”)
If we’re looking up “yankee ways” , then A-Rod and his POST cover pretty much sums up a lot of former yankees and what they used to be like. (Minus the pictures)
dwayne – i want arod on the team because he is a power bat and a plus glove. Is and will be one of the best to ever play the game. I don’t recall reading your biography on arod so until I do, I’ll take your points for what they are – your opinions. And you’re welcome to them. I’m a Korean-American. My parents are from Korea and I was born here in America. I know if I was lucky enough to have a fraction of the ability of Arod and had a choice to play for either country, I love my parents to pieces and I’d be pretty torn about choosing Korea to make my parents proud and America for obvious reasons. Get a clue before you talk about things you know nothing about.
1. I bet you will find Zero teams that would take A-Rod, at his salary. Has he ever won anything with a Team?
2. Yelling from the dugout is not in the playing field. Dont compare apples to oranges! Have you ever seen a player yell at a play, while the ball is in play, while on the field….the answer…no! Why havent you seen it in 130 yrs of MLB?…..cause the other 20,000 players aren’t as bush league as A-Rod.
3. Joe D was a player…Ruth was a player, agreed…but…how Stupid is A-Rod? Does he think he isn’t going to get caught?! Nice way to raise a 2 yr kid…”Hey..my dad runs around with blondes…and has no issue with getting caught”! Sweet!
4. Is A-Rod american? I think I remember him being confused about that too!!
This is f-ing ridiculous. If another player had done this, nobody would care and Peter wouldn’t have made two posts dedicated to twisting it into something terrible.
Shame on the Blue Jay 3b for dropping that ball. He’s got to be the dumbest player in the league.
Alex Rodriguez plays to win. That’s what every ballplayer is taught from the beginning. The rules aren’t a secret and there are umpires to enforce them. Individual players, fans and bloggers injecting their own moral code on the game is ridiculous.
“Yelling from the dugout is not in the playing field. Dont compare apples to oranges! Have you ever seen a player yell at a play, while the ball is in play, while on the field….the answer…no! Why havent you seen it in 130 yrs of MLB?…..cause the other 20,000 players aren’t as bush league as A-Rod.”
This is the most absurd thing I’ve ever read. How do you know other players don’t yell? For all you know they easily could be yelling all the time, but the defense isn’t dumb enough to fall for it.
I guess that’s why howie spent 16 years in the minors.
Sunny – Point taken…however…
1. A-rod the best player in Baseball..yes! Agreed. A-rod a team player…does he have his teams’ back? No. He is great..but selfish. Never won shit all on a team.
2. The nationality thing…i agree with your point..however…A-rod Flip-flopped on the nation thing more than he did on the mattress at the four Seasons on Sunday night! He needed to make a decision and stick by it..not be wishy-washing on it.
3. Glad you respect your family. I know that you have at least one thing not in common with A-Rod. You don’t make a mockery out of your family.
oh ya, did I mention that I’m Canadian! I love that you Yankee’s suck this year! At least. Im tired of you winning 10 pennents!
Enjoy Roger -> money well spent!
From the 3bman:
“I heard a ‘Mine’ call and so I let it go,” Clark said. “It wasn’t Johnny Mac. What do you do? It makes you mad.”
Note to self: Attend next Yanks/Jays game and shout “mine” on every pop up.
comments on Arod Bush League play
John Gibbons has nerve to say this:
“One thing you know about the Yankees, one of the reasons they’re so respected, is they do things right,” Gibbons said. “They always have. They have a lot of pride and a lot of class. They play the game hard. That’s not Yankee pride right there. That’s not the way they play. I thought it was bush league.”
What A-Rod did may not have been a classy play, true, but it sure wasn’t classy the way Jason Phillips barreled into Josh Phelps the other night. Nor was it classy when Gibbons fought Ted Lilly in the tunnel last year. Or when Gibbons challenged Shea Hillenbrand to a fight last summer.
Then there’s the Toronto franchise itself. Remember in 2003, when the Blue Jays put out an ad in the papers featuring a Yankee hat covered with bird poop, and suggesting that Blue Jays’ fans come out and boo Hideki Matsui, who was making his first appearance in Toronto. And when Joe Torre rightfully complained about the ad, calling it “tasteless,” this was the response he received:
“We respect the Yankee tradition and we know they’ve been the dominant team recently,” said Jim Bloom, the director of consumer marketing. “With that comes a sense of rivalry. When the show comes to town, they have to expect us to use that.”
“Dwayne from Toronto
1. I bet you will find Zero teams that would take A-Rod, at his salary. Has he ever won anything with a Team? ”
That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. Vernon Wells is in arod’s neighborhood now and hasn’t won anything ever. Guess you got a crackhead on your team too by your own definition.
“2. Yelling from the dugout is not in the playing field. Dont compare apples to oranges! Have you ever seen a player yell at a play, while the ball is in play, while on the field….the answer…no! Why havent you seen it in 130 yrs of MLB?…..cause the other 20,000 players aren’t as bush league as A-Rod.”
I keep forgetting you sit on the field with the players for every game every played in the past 130 years. Sorry – my bad.
3. Joe D was a player…Ruth was a player, agreed…but…how Stupid is A-Rod? Does he think he isn’t going to get caught?! Nice way to raise a 2 yr kid…�Hey..my dad runs around with blondes…and has no issue with getting caught�! Sweet!
this has no point whatsoever.
4. Is A-Rod american? I think I remember him being confused about that too!!
He was conflicted between making his mom proud and playing for his country. Obviously this is a topic you know nothing about (among other things) as you were apprently raised by monkeys.
Dwayne, go back to canada, you say it has never happened? How do you even know? Are you just assuming it has because you do not like A-Rod?
There is a play in 1912 where the batter yelled at the catcher as he moved in to get a ball while the thirdbaseman held off and the catcher let it drop. The batter then stroked a single on the next pitch.
You have never seen a player yell as they round third on a pop up?
NO. You have never seen the play WORK. That is the difference! A-Rod’s play worked, so of course they focused on it. No other major league player is STUPID enough to fall for it, but Toronto can sure pick em.
I loved it– good for him. He is showing he is a warrior, and will do whatever he can to help the NYY win. If someone has a prob w/ it, then they should also have a prob w/ the Pavano/Lowell trick ball in FLa in 2004, or Chuckie’ Knaublauch’s move in the WS when he played for MIN and fooled that base runner. MY OLD MAN STILL RAVES ABOIUT THAT PLAY !!!!
In basketball, if a guy missed a short, he would never confess it is because his defender yelled at him.
Now, a 3B dropped a popup and confirmed it is because of Arod’s yelling. This yelling must be on the record book. It is tougher that the homerun record.
If Jeter did it we would say he he is crafty and wants to win, but Arod is a bum?
I lot of whining and sniveling over nothing. No rules were broken. Let Toronto yell at our fielders next time we play. Who cares?
Batters rub pine tar up and down their bats. Pitchers sneak illegal substances out to the mound somewhere on their uniform. Pitchers will throw at a batter when they’re pissed of at something. Opponents in the dugout will yell things at a fielder when they try to catch a foul pop near the dugout. A runner slides hard into a base with spikes up trying to break up a double play. An outfielder will fake catching a ball that he can’t get to in order to try to keep a runner from advancing. The old hidden ball trick. Stealing signs. Running out of the baseline. (How about the bush league play the other night when the Toronto player ran inside the baseline all the way up the line and took out our first baseman??) Grounds crews will cut grass to certain lengths to benefit the style of play to the home team.
I remember Jim Burt on the NY Giants would have his Jersey sewed up as a tight as a drum on his body so opponents couldn’t grab hold of him. Punt recievers will make believe they’re catching a ball that will bounce over their head into the end zone. Hockey players tap their stick on the ice to deceive opponents. They’ll also take dives to try to draw penalties on their opponents.
My god. Put your hankies away. Teams will take any advantage they can to win games. Sometimes even illegal. (corked bats, superballs, scuffing the ball on the mound, Niekro with his nail clipper)
Stop being so naive. Let it go. Nothing illegal was done.
DWayne is a monkey. Stay in your lane, Canadien Hillblly. Like no one will take A-Rod. Please… this is a site for educated Yankees fans. Do they even have internet in Toronto ? Or d’yall just yell trade rumors out of your studio apt windows at each other.
You guys are fun!
Make sure when you take your sons/daughters to Little League you tell them, “When you get the chance, yell at the other player as he is about to catch the ball”! “Be a WINNER, like A-Rod, Sally!”
Shamus: “Stay in your lane, Canadien Hillblly. Like no one will take A-Rod. Please… this is a site for educated Yankees fans.”
nice spelling mistakes there.
Anyone who is outraged by this needs to get a grip. Its a game, not a library. The only bush league play was letting the ball drop.
Todd Drew:
You wrote: “Individual players, fans and bloggers injecting their own moral code on the game is ridiculous.”
Unless you were addressing A-Rod’s Toronto Bimbo-gate incident, I gotta call you on that one, good buddy.
Saying that “Individual players, fans and bloggers injecting their own moral code on the game is ridiculous” is like suggesting that we stop arguing with umpires’ calls. Individual players, fans and bloggers injecting their own moral view on the game is part of baseball.
Ty Cobb was sadistic and a racist to boot, and he brought that into the game every time he played. Derek Jeter pretty much epitomizes a “Gary Cooper as Lou Gherig” gentlemanliness, chats up opposing players and seldom does a vicious take-out slide. But he plays as hard and effectively as anyone out there. Objecting to steroid use as cheating is precisely a case of imposing moral views on the game.
I don’t see how A-Rod is entitled to be the last word on this. You can’t let A-Rod impose his moral code on the game (”play to win”) and then deny the Jays, and the fans, the right to object.
DC – Love that!
Shamus didnt pass the test for being a Mets fan, obviously.
anyone have a place for me to stay when I come down for the Series after the All-Star Break?
Charlie,
You know how we know the other players don’t yell? The reaction of everybody involved. If it happended all the time you think everyone would have made a stink?
It’s an unwritten rule in baseball. Unfortunately, it will likely become a written one now that Arod has broken it. Much like 50 years ago there wasn’t a rule about sexually abusing animals as people just knew not to do it. Eventually wackos did this enough that they had to enact a law.
The above is an analogy not intended to compare Arod’s bush league play to a federal offense. ; )
Finally, this is not about Arod. I think most of us were happy with him this year. He’s loose, playing a strong 3B and swinging a good bat. We just want him to act like a Yankee. Sorry, but the standards are higher here (all around).
Some quick points:
Pete, you have been covering baseball about 25 years? Man you don’t look that old in your picture. You must be living right: going to bed early, not visiting strip clubs
sunny615: all excellent points. There are several reasons this is a big deal. One, it is A-Rod. Two, the play WORKED. You never hear about these things when they don’t work.
And I think this is almost fitting payup for Phillips not getting called for interference, althought that play cost us a run and possibly the game.
The ultimate payback for A-Rod will be if he ever has the chance to plow over Varitek. That incident where Varitek started a fight with A-Rod while still wearing his mask still has me PO’ed.
It’s true, there are no rules written to forbid a player from doing this, but there are also no rules written to protect ARod when he gets up against the Blue Jays the next series and gets drilled in between the numbers.
People are surprised that we don’t see stuff like this more often, but the reason why you dont see it is because its lame and uncalled for. This is something a kid in little league would do, not a professional ballplayer.
First, he slaps the ball out of Bronson Arroyo’s hand like a little girl, now this… grow up.
the yankee way, that cracks me up, i guess the yankee way is to never protect your hitters when they get hit to the tune of about 10-2 by sox pitchers, stop the holier then thou stuff, its laughable
the guy should of caught the ball, the bluejays, like the yankees, are a losing teams right now, thats why they cry when they lose
does anyone really think abreu was getting a hit in the 9th vs the angels over the wknd, the ump did him a favor punching him out, and the yankees cried
now the jays are crying about this
move on – win some games – and then the tears stop
Looks like my work here is done! The intelligent, upstanding Yankee fans have arrived!
Mike and TurnTwo -> Great points. simple, concise, and exactly the point!
One other point: this is PROFESSIONAL baseball, not little league or even high school ball. The rules are different. This type of play is not taught at that level for a lot of reasons: sportmanship, safety, etc. For instance, little league does not allow head first slides because of the possiblity of injury to the runner or the fielder.
You think a professional player cannot be seriously injured when he slides into a base unnecessarily because the fielder faked that he had the ball? This happens far more often than what A-Rod did, yet no one complains. Same thing for take-out slides. Yet these are banned at the lower levels of the game for good reason.
This is about A-Rod the lightning rod, pure and simple.
I love how the people who cant take a little gamesmanship are lecturing others to grow up. This is professional sports, I expect the players to take every advantage they can.
Then again half the people posting here atm are Red Sox trolls, so I guess I shouldnt take all the whining seriously.
ah dwayne. poor fella. had a gripe. but just couldn’t sell it.
whined like a jay bird. just like their third baseman. who can’t play third.
so he comes to a yankee blog to argue the call. because little howie can’t catch a ball.
don’t cry poor dwayne. don’t sob and cry to your ma.
so to make dwayne happy, I’ll just say… “HA!”
Can I post?
If this happens all the time Jimbo, why did Ernie Whitt, a long-time MLB player run out on the field? why did John McDonald get in A-rods Grill over it?
Dont say…because they are sore losers, they are babies,…blah..blah…that wont fly.
Give me your honest reason why?
BECAUSE IT DOESNT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME……AND IT WAS A BUSH LEAGUE MOVE.
by the way -> We have alot of Hot Blondes in Toronto…and Whiskey A-go-go is alot nicer “Place” then the Brass Rail.
How’s it feel to be irrelevant in May? Perhaps when you’re irrelevant it’s ok to be unsportsmanlike.
No TurnTwo, it does happen as some other posters (some who have played the game at the professionl level) have pointed out. The difference is this time IT WORKED. Sometimes the runners stomp their feet to make the fielder think another fielder is close by. They do anything they can to distract the fielder.
Look, a ROOKIE Toronto third basemen made a bad play. Maybe Gibbons and the BJ players are trying to protect him. He should have caught the ball, or the shortstop (not their regular one, also) should have caught it.
Honestly: questionable for A-Rod to do, but until they make a rule against doing it, I can’t see where anyone would complain. Besides, Alex is a 3B himself, and people are welcome to start trying the same thing with him–it’s not like he’s some AL pitcher chucking at a batter’s head, while not having to bat himself.
And to be frank: That play last night was hilarious. Made my night. And when you’re watching the 9th in the office kitchen, a little bit of hilarity sure is welcome.
There was the infamous slapping incident. A week ago A-Rod slides hard and way wide into Pedroia and throws a pretty aggressive elbow. Now this thing.
A-Rod’s actions last night will be seen by opposing teams in a context. He’s the highest paid player, he’s on the most hated team, he is an enigma to his team mates and opponents and can single handedly kill you with a 3 HR, 7 RBI performance.
Pete Rose had his Charlie Hustle approach because Rose never had the physical gifts A-Rod has. When A-Rod pulls a Charlie Hustle move like last night, I think some people tend to resent him resorting to such tactics because he’s got so much talent he should be “above” such things.
Look, it’s not illegal. It’s just that there is a larger context than last night’s game and such tactics get a player a rep for playing a certain way.
Murphydog,
Moral code meaning that some seem to think winning at all costs is wrong. Winning baseball games is right. Players – whether they are 5 or 55 – should take every advantage: Blocking tagging runners off fly balls, blocking infielders off ground balls, breaking up double plays, distracting fielders, etc.
I don’t care if everyone but me and the 25 guys in the Yankee clubhouse object to the play. They can yell a scream all they want, but don’t start dropping the “not the way the game should be played” garbage. There is only one way the game should be played – at every level – to win.
Bottom line is he did nothing wrong. If it is so bad why do you see hitters slam bats on ground and scream when they pop up? Isn’t that equally distracting…. igf yoiu let t be?
“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.”
Uhh no, Dwayne. We just can’t show you one incident where the infielders have actually fallen for such a ploy.
There’s a difference.
I have not idea why Ernie Whitt or any player ran on the field, and neither does anyone else. I do know they were EMBARRASSED that something as simple as yelling HA! caused their ROOKIE third basemen and SUBSTITUTE shortstop to blow the play.
Dwayne, Dwayne, go away, cry again some other day (sorry sunny…)
oops last sentence should be If you let it be. Sorry
Its not like he said I’ve got it or told a your momma joke. This stuff happens a lot in the game but its never talked about since A-Rod didn’t do it. The man could not sign an autograph for some kid who asked for it and it would be front page news.
That’s a interesting thought, Murph. I hadn’t thought of it like that. Certainly makes sense.
Wow I can’t believe this is generating this much press. I praise A Rod for doing that, I would do the same thing in my softball league. I don’t understand how certain aspects of the game are fine such as stealing signs, greasing up the baseball, phantom plays at 2nd, taking runners out at 2nd or yelling “Mine” when the player is near the dugout. This was no worse than any of those other things.
It’s only a story because it’s A Rod. It was good to see A Rod having some fun and doing all he can to help the team win, although I hope we all enjoyed the last month when A Rod was not the story. Speaking of which, the NY Post showed another picture of A Rod and the blonde taken at the same time as the first. Think they intend to put a different picture from the same night on everyday? Is that really fair? Man I hate the Post, although I do own stock in News Corp, but still they are going too far.
What is the difference between Arod did and between fielders specifically infielders pretending to have the ball when its hit if a runner doesnt see. Or when an outfielders pretends like his is getting under a ball that he knows he wont catch to hold up the runners. It is all the same. It is deception. All this shows me is Arod wants to win and hes willing to do anything.
Jimbo, just because other players may do it or other distractions similar to it doesnt make it right.
No matter if its ARod doing this, or whatever player you want to name, it’s a lame, bush league play from a professional player. It’s just that simple.
and ARod will learn his lesson when the Jays get their payback next series, and it’ll be done and over with.
One thing I always respected about the Yankees is that they always played the game the right way and for the most part are a classy organization. Ever since A-Rod came aboard, however, the Yankees seem to have lost that. From his Slap onn Arroyo to this terrible play, the Yankees should be embarassed and at least suspend A-Rod for this upcoming series against the Sox. Total bush league play. I thought the Yankees were better than that. At least this is the last season A-Rod will be here-he’s an Angel next season for sure.
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-rodâ€? crap. If Doug M. was the one out on the town with some woman, does that make the front page????
You guys are vultures.
“TurnTwo
People are surprised that we don’t see stuff like this more often, but the reason why you dont see it is because its lame and uncalled for. This is something a kid in little league would do, not a professional ballplayer.
First, he slaps the ball out of Bronson Arroyo’s hand like a little girl, now this… grow up.”
In this case I have to respectfull disagree. The reason there’s a big stink about it is because of two things – first and foremost: Howie didn’t catch the ball – *not* drop, *didn’t catch*. Not only did he drop it, but he was a good 4 feet from it. That’s not a drop – that’s a misplay. As I stated earlier, howie never took his eyes off the ball. Saw it from sky to floor. And the reason there’s a stink is because he didn’t catch it. 99% of all pro ball players make that catch. The 3rd baseman had no line of sight to the SS and the SS was positioned behind him. He should know that the SS can see him and the ball. So if someone else calls it and he can’t see him, he goes to make the play because he should know that the SS has him in his sights and should be able to get out of the way while he continues to track the ball and make the catch. If he’s stupid enough to move because he’s afraid of running into the SS, that’s his call, not Arod’s. As a pro ball player, you tune out everything and make the play or throw the pitch or hit the ball. What should have happened was howie catches the pop up, inning over and says something to arod on his way back to the dugout. Non-story. It’s an *issue* because he didn’t make the play and because it’s arod. If they were doing their jobs, both of them should have been within arms reach of the ball when it landed and one of them (mostly the SS) should have been able to dive to catch it (a la Tino Martinez in 2006).
[All I know is, the Yankees better come up with a “code word� when they are calling for pop flies because this is going to be happening to them a lot the rest of the year…..]
Good point, the yanks should be more careful!
And I still don’t get why everyone makes a big deal about the slap play in 04. He is trying to do whatever is necessary to win. I guess everyone would like it better if he just halfassed plays that appeared to be sure outs instead of hustling on every play.
I love the “Anything to Win” attitude you guys have!
Please do make sure you tell you 10 yr old tonight to do “Anything to win”……Make sure you tell your boss today..”I will do whatever it takes to make the company money”…
Morals? Values? Respect?
Wait..wait…I’m Canadian….I understand!
What was I thinking… You don’t have to respect other people…you don’t have to respect your family….You have to do whatever it takes to “Win”!
and yes…this is more about that one play last night…It’s about a Rich, Arrogant, Talented Baseball player who plays for the Yankees….who has no class, no respect, no dignity.
Stand up for A-Rod! Be Proud of him!
I dont agree with the coverage from the Post at all, and no offense to Dougie Mientkiewicz, but Dougie doesnt sell papers like ARod does, so no, it wouldn’t be covered the same.
I wouldnt expect this type of bush league play especially from Matsui, but even Melky or Phelps, because they play the game the right way and have the respect for the game to not embarrass it like a bush league play like this does.
Dwayne, you are just crying because your player looked like the fool he is. No way did ARods yell do anything at all.
Watch the video and you will see the timing. ARod was at third base by the time you silly boy reacted and turned. If a major league player has that slow a reaction to someone calling him off a ball then there is going to be one serious collision. He probably lost where the ball was, knew ARod yelled, finally picked up where the ball was and it was WAY out of reach. Rather than look like the biggest goofball to ever play the game, he tryed to deflect his lousy playing to being ARods fault.
Such a sad state of your team there, Dwayne. I guess you would be one who would fall for that swing batter batter bit and get struck out. Then blame it on Mary for confusing you.
What angers me is that all the talking heads of baseball are dinking on this whole thing, making it something its not. The reason you don’t see plays like that is because most major leaguers don’t goof up that much. If they would take just a few minutes and watch that video for all the timing, they would see that Howie blew it big time and is playing them for fools. And what is worse, the media is falling for it.
Hey Pete – I have a new poll question:
Which would you rather have?
A) Yankees win a World Series title in Game 7 but on a play where Arod/Jeter/whoever yells “Hey” to a opposing SS making him drop a pop up and scoring the winning run.
B) Yankees lose the World Series because they didn’t do that and fall 1-2-3 in the ninth losing the game and the title.
It was a weak pop-fly that should have been caught unless he actually felt the SS push him out of the way. This wasn’t an outfield play where you’re worried about a nasty collision. I doubt even A-Rod expected the guy to drop the ball from a simple “Ha!” and why exactly is this any different than Jeter or Cano faking like a ball went into centerfield or faking that they have the ball to hold a runner on?
Bottom line is it had no impact on the game. Move on.
“TurnTwo
I wouldnt expect this type of bush league play especially from Matsui, but even Melky or Phelps, because they play the game the right way and have the respect for the game to not embarrass it like a bush league play like this does.”
Does that include or exclude Phelps’ takedown of Kenji Jojima in the game against Seattle in NY when the ball was *nowhere near* Jojima.
Another potential poll for you:
Would you rather:
1. Win the World Series with Class?
2. Or Win the World Series any means possible?
Because…as per Sunny, and his own words, He doesnt think the Yankees could win with Class!
Dwayne from Toronto, What does being Canadian or not have to do with anything? I guess that is why America is such a great country and Canada is…..well, Canada.
Once again, Dwayne demonstrates his inability to read. But alas, poor Canadians…
Sunny, we’ll just agree to disagree on this one. The 3rd baseman clearly stopped and flinched when ARod ran by and called out. He makes the play if ARod doesnt do it.
As a ballplayer, they are able to focus in on the field and tune out the crowd, but if someone runs right by you and screams “Mine!”, you assume its your own player, because professional baseball players dont resort to that type of lame tactic to win games.
Turn Two, how do you know that Melky, Phelps, or Matsui have never tried anything like this at some point in their careers? You don’t. So perceptions of people/players are just that, perceptions.
This is not a big deal, get over it!!
anyone else think it’s funny that dwayne thought that arod was claiming that he said “mine…that’s all”? clearly, he was claiming that he said “mine.” that’s all.
Sunny, fair point on Phelps. I dont blame Phelps for trucking Jojima, because at the time he made the decision, i still thought he was still set up in front of the plate.
But, the Mariners thought that wasnt necessary, and Phelps was taken care of in his next AB, and everyone moved on. I have no doubt the same thing will occur the next time these 2 teams play, and it’ll be done and over with.
I really only reiterated Matsui, Phelps, and Melky’s names because the other poster used their names specifically… and I’ll say that if any of these guys did this like ARod did, I’d still have the same problem with it.
It’s hilarious to see Sox fans on their high horse over A-Rod’s play last night given the players on their team.
Not too many years ago, their beloved Big Papi went ballistic & threw a bag of bats at umpires after a called third strike with which he didn’t agree. (Not that he agrees with many of them ever. He’s pretty obvious about that.) Plus, he & Manny lovingly watch every home run leave the park.
And, their captain throws the first punch in a fight while wearing his full catcher’s gear. Then he loses the fight. (And the team played .500 ball for two weeks afterwards, but don’t tell that to a Sox fan either. Myth > reality.)
So please keep lecturing about “class” and “bush league” when you live in a glass house. Keep on embarrassing yourselves. It’s funny.
Sunny – awesome reply!
Tarheel – Your’s too! great reply, you really show your wit and intelligence. Have you read your own Newspaper? any World newspapers? America the proud? America the Great? How is your economy? what is the view of America from the rest of the World? How’s the US Dollar doing?
Merci….(french for thanks)
This internet thing is great, I just put away my dogsled team and snowmobile..and then I found this internet thing outside. Crazy! One day, I might have a baseball team to be proud of!
DL, yes I noticed that and laughed to myself. Must be something that was lost in the translation between English and Canadian.
TT – I’m cool with that… but another consideration is that the game was already won. It had zero affect on the outcome of the game. Arod was clearly jogging to third, not sprinting. He didn’t expect howie or mac to drop it. I don’t see how that benefits the Yankees whether they win 7-5 or 10-5. The *only* reason there’s attention on this is because they didn’t make the play. Howie or Mac catches it, inning over, 1-2-3 the ninth, game over, no story. Also, even if Arod affected the 3rd baseman, where was the Shortstop? They both should have been converging on the ball. But like you said – agree to disagree.
TurnTwo, what video are you watching if you saw it that way? Yeah, he clearly flinched a long time after ARod was past him.
Man, people need to get off this ARod envy bit.
Arod did not say Mine…his lips never closed. You can’t say a word beginning with an “m” with an exhale. One word you can say that way is “Ha”. Try to say both words now and see what your lips do.
Clark dropped the pop because he is a minor leaguer unable to handle major league pop ups. Unless the SkyDome has an echo, the ball didn’t land for a full two seconds after Arod passed. Good for Arod…good for the Yankees…bad for the Blue Jays.
I feel it wasn’t a big deal at all
I know we should ignore trolls, but..
Hey Sox Fan: I sure wish the Yanks were classy like Varitek when he went after A-Rod WHILE WEARING HIS MASK.
Sure showed his Boston Manhood on that play.
And TurnTwo:
“just because other players may do it or other distractions similar to it doesnt make it right.”
Right. So no more plowing into catchers (or first) by anyone, or throwing at hitters, or faking the catch to force a slide, or stealing signs, or doing a Reyes off third to force a balk …
Please. This is what separates the men from the boys, or the career minor leaguers from the veterans.
How many times do we have to say: It was A-ROD, and IT WORKED. Otherwise we are posting about something else, like the big Boston series coming up.
And if they throw at A-Rod in July, so be it. We can throw right back.
it’s just the way a-rod plays baseball
dwayne – the next thing you might want to look for is a dictionary.
Turn Two said:
“TurnTwo
May 31st, 2007 at 9:35 am
Sunny, fair point on Phelps. I dont blame Phelps for trucking Jojima, because at the time he made the decision, i still thought he was still set up in front of the plate.
But, the Mariners thought that wasnt necessary, and Phelps was taken care of in his next AB, and everyone moved on. I have no doubt the same thing will occur the next time these 2 teams play, and it’ll be done and over with.”
If you look at the replays, Jojima was on the right side of the plate (not in Phelps’ basepath) – it was a clear decking.
Like you said – this is a non issue – will most likely be dealt with in July – move on.
ok so now we know the trick is to yell “Mine” whenever the other team is about to catch the ball. Thank you wise Bush League definers for giving us the keys to the kingdom. Yelling “Mine” is the worst possible thing you could ever do on a baseball field! It gets all players to stop what they are doing and start screaming! It is akin to murder, rape, genocide and gasp Steroid Use!
Maybe we shouldn’t even be allowed to say that word anymore in popular culture, we’ll just say the “M Word” from now on.
Dewayne, I am VERY proud to be an American and yes America is great….don’t really give a damn what the world thinks….they economy where I live is booming….why do so many people want to immigrate here? Why aren’t they going to Canada?
Dwayne…you international folks can dog the U.S. all you want…we all know where your governments will turn when you’re in need.
From “Wicked” – lyrics by Stephen Schwartz in a song entitled “Wonderful”:
“A man’s called a traitor or a liberator;
A rich man’s a thief or philanthropist.
Is one a crusador or ruthless invader?
It’s all in which label is able to persist.
_There are precious few at ease with moral ambiguities,
So we act as if they don’t exist!_”
Seems to pertain to this particular brouhaha. I’ll just say, do we really feel comfortable comparing A-Rod to Ty Cobb regarding sportsmanship?
I never played the game, and I would have nothing to add about whether this is “done” or not “done”. I will say another manager has no call to talk about Yankee pride.
If Manny had done this, Red Sox Nation (aka ESPN) would be giggling – “Oh, it’s just Manny being Manny! How cute.”
Sunny, I see what you’re saying… but just to dismiss it and to say it didnt effect the game isnt a fair point, though IMO.
I honestly think that whether or not they catch that ball, words are exchanged between the players. Maybe not to the extent they were last night, but they’ll say something to him on their way off the field.
and we know now that the play didnt effect the game, but at the time, the game isnt over yet, and it might be a big play in that game.
and whether or not it effects the game, the action itself disrespects the way the game is played.
Doreen said:
“I will say another manager has no call to talk about Yankee pride.”
I would think especially since he’s decked his *own* players in the past.
Not that anyone cares, but I am done commenting on this subject. TT, sunny, all good points, we will agree to disagree.
In July we will have to make sure A-Rod does not say mean things to any Toronto rookies, lest he hurt their feelings.
Even ESPN didn’t make a big deal on SportsCenter last night. To quote “I think the guy has to squeeze the pop fly”. If ESPN doesn’t think it’s a big deal, it isn’t.
Tarheel – love the reply! I can’t wait for other Bright Americans to reply to your ridiculous message!
“you dont give a damn about the rest of the World”….nice! Very Worldly comment! Enjoy your PS3 in your parents basement!
The economy where you live is Booming???? I’m glad to see you don’t worry about the rest of your country! who cares about Lousiana, eh? who cares about the Forest fires in the west? Tarheel’s 6-square block area is booming! Great!
and yes, Tarheel, I tossed in the “eh”..just to make u smile!
Tarheel – immigration as a percentage of population is actually higher in Canada than in the US. Also, immigration is at its lowest level in 10 yrs inthe US….thought I would correct you! I’m an immigration lawyer…meathead!
If John Gibbons will agree to NEVER manage the Yankees, then I’ll be happy with the outcome.
whatever.
what exactly did he say, NYTimes reports A-Rod said “HA”, here it’s “mine”; I think he just coughed while running the bases and all the jays got confused. wimps.
Turn Two
I see what you’re saying, but again, as pro ball players (howie is a 16 yr vet minor leaguer), they should have been at least within arms reach of the ball at landing. Both howie and mac. Whether or not Arod said anything, should not have obstructed either player’s path to the ball and at least one of them (mostly the SS) should have been able to at least dived for it at the end. It was a busted play and blaming Arod seems silly. But again, they Jay’s see it their want and there will be payback in July. Done and over with.
“One thing I always respected about the Yankees is that they always played the game the right way and for the most part are a classy organization. Ever since A-Rod came aboard, however, the Yankees seem to have lost that.”
Right…
And Reggie didn’t stick his butt out to block a throw to first base in the World Series against the Dodgers 30 years ago. Come on. Players taking any advantage they can to win a game is as old as competition itself. If it wasn’t, there wouldn’t be specific rules about what advantages are illegal. Yelling at a fielder is not one. This “holier than thou, Yankee Pride, we have a higher standard” thing is just dumb. If baseball doesn’t want runners yelling at fielders, they’ll pass a rule about it. Until then, this is really childish.
I have to be honest..I never saw the play..and actually have no clue what happened. Im from Boston….but this was fun guys!!
Dwayne, please never compare Canada to the USA. The only comparison is a common language.
And I am very impressed that you are an immigration lawyer, you should be very proud. FYI, I do not live in anyone’s basement, I am a professor at the University of North Carolina.
Just like the other poster said, all other nations mock us and hate us, but where do they turn when the chips are down.
Probably as much fun as the Indians had with Diced up K.
Tarheel – You must be a Big Vince Carter fan, right? Very similar, your A-Rod and Vince!
You are correct, I should never compare Canada to the US, matter of fact, I should never compare the US to the rest of the World. They dont have anything in common, you are correct! Wear an american flag on your back-pack when you travel to Europe next time…the treatment will be similar to that which you get wearing your yankee pinstrips into Fenway.
Dwayne:
You must not be a very good immigration lawyer. Here are some facts.
1) According to DHS, more people became resident aliens in 2006 since 1991 (and that’s legal immigration).
2)Comparing anything about the U.S. and Canada on % of population is ignorant at best, and more likely dishonest. You may not have noticed, but one is much larger than the other.
Once again, the “world” can make snide comment about the U.S., but they’ll still be lining up for our culture, our healthcare and our financial and military aide.
A-Rod is a big child. Hopefully he will be gone after this season. He seems to think he can do anything – throw elbows, yell, the slap play, just get rid of this baby.
Let me just apologize for my fellow American for bashing Canada, that’s uncalled for. However bashing a BJ fan that posts negatively about our player on a Yankee blog is fair game. As a fan of the opposing team, you are in no position to critique this play, you are biased. So let me just say this Dwayne, go away, enjoy your mediocre team, with its mediocre fan support and your mediocre manager. It is possible your team will never ever ever win a championship again, at least not before the team gives up and moves to Las Vegas.
Ah yes…Europe…the continent that regularly brings us World Wars. I’ll proudly wear my U.S. flag on my next visit. Should anyone have a problem, I’ll just gently remind them that they should consider themselves lucky they aren’t speaking German or Russian (unless I am in Germany or Russia, or course!).
Dwayne from Boston
“I have to be honest..I never saw the play..and actually have no clue what happened. Im from Boston….”
That explains a lot actually.
Dewayne, why would I want to backpack through Europe? I haven’t lost anything there. There are plenty of great places to visit right here in the good ol’ USA.
And Jeff, I really don’t need anyone apologizing for me.
Would you idiots shut up about America vs. Canada. The comments here are beginning to sink below Youtube level.
But, I did get your blood boiling!
Go Sox!
A hearty congratulations to Dwayne for trolling a Yankee blog. BRB, off to troll Sons of Sam Horn.
I for one was flabbergasted. I didn’t think Canadians were that dull, but thankfully, I was correct. It was a Bostonian. The balance is restored.
I think this was a heads up play.If teams want to prevent this they should use code words.Like Ball,Strike,Arodhole or whatever suits and change them as need be.If Arod calls Ive got it and the code is Gladiator She Male Clark would still go for the ball and catch it.
Way to go DEwayne. You are the man. WooHoo!!!
I still have you repling Tarheel..i love it!
Last one from me…
For those OK with Arod (or any player) doing this consider this.
This is the exact same thing as a catcher yelling “Ha!” when a pitch is coming in to a hitter. You guys OK with that one? Think the ump/hitter would be OK with that?
What’s considered OK? Going right up to the fielder’s face and yelling “Ha!”. OK with that one?
Note: I am a Yankee fan. Even when they lose.
How is what Arod did any different than Frank Robinson throwing dirt in the face of a middle infielder trying to break up a double play (which he was known to do) or a baserunner trying to shield an infielder from catching a groundball (which happens all the time)?
If Clark is dumb enough to fall for it, that’s on him. Its not a dirty or unsportmanslike play at all.
The Yankees had lost 5 in a row and was in last place. You do what you have to do to win a game. All this “class” stuff is a bunch of crap.
What’s even funnier is all the “retribution” talk you hear from the Blue Jays toward Arod.
They shouldn’t be so quick to run their mouth’s on a team that has Roger Clemens on it. Its not like he hasn’t been known to hit somebody in the head, if he deems it necessary.
If a “gritty” player, like Pete Rose, did it, everybody would call it a “gritty” play.
But, Arod does it, and its “bad”.
More nonsense for the Arod haters to run with and nothing more.
If the Blue Jays want “payback” for it, they do it at their own risk now that Clemens will be in the Yankees rotation.
I think opposing teams are looking forward to facing Clemens. Do you guys really think he will be a difference maker?
Mike,
You don’t think catchers talk to hitters all the time? Paul O’Neill always talks about which catchers talked to him while he was batting. For example, he always has said Joe Girardi never shut up when he was batting when the two played against one another.
Baseball is full of these gamesmanship type of things. When somebody falls for it, they get ticked.
Why should anybody just concede outs? Its not like he ran into the guy. He either said “mine” or “ha”, depending on who you believe. That makes Clark give up on the ball and its Arod’s fault?
Sorry, that’s on Clark, not Arod. Arod’s job is not to make it easy for Clark to make a play. If Clark can’t do it, he should look in the mirror when assigning blame.
Is this the most Toronto fans ever to post on this blog? The team won 2 of 3 and they are mad that A-Rod yelled something to put a game that was already won out of reach?
And for those of you touting the Yankee way, or what he did was Bush league: please get a hobby. If it was Aaron Boone and not A-Rod, this would be a non story. I especially love the comment from the Toronto guy who says A-Rod has no love for his family, game, country, etc… Just be happy we allow you to have a team. We took back the Expos, we can put your team in Columbus or something. I’m voting Winslow for President so we can invade Canada.
kidjock – you made a great point..and its exactly my point! It’s not about who won and lose the game? or the series..its about respecting the game. what A-rod did was out of the norm for baseball..and not right. Thanks for agreeing!
also – the game was out of reach at 7-5? when the “Mine”..happened? Really?
Kelvin winslow the tight-end is running for President?
I beleive Toronto looks forward to winning your Super Bowl, when the Bills move north!
Clark should have known it wasn’t his teammate. There was no “Eh” at the end.
if a left fielder in fenway makes it seem like he’s going to catch a ball when it’s clearly going to hit the wall, is that bush league.
no.
it’s deception. i don’t see how this can be looked at any differently.
—
i’m still trying to figure out why posada wasn’t credited for 2 stolen bases. i though defensive indifference was only when the team in the field was winning.
lol oliver
You know, has anyone considered that Howie Clark, in his first Major League game, simply crapped the bed and needed a scapegoat in order to not get his career minor league self shipped back to AAA? Perhaps he was just distracted by Rodriguez and made something up. I mean, where does HOWIE CLARK get any credibility? Is Rodriguez THAT far down on the food chain that he gets no benefit of the doubt? I know people don’t like him for whatever reason, and I know that he tried slapping the ball away from Arroyo, but Clark has less credibility than Gibbons, who should NEVER open his mouth ever again….or someone might go Ted Lilly on him….
Has anyone heard the Sportscenter radio guy saying that the Yankees won against the Jays thanks in part to “Arod’s latest dirty play”.
I hate ESPN. It is not like this play decided the game, but they make it sound like it did. And “Arod’s latest dirty play”? When did he become known as a dirty player?
Look at this poll.
Is it really about right or wrong? If so, go over the rule book.
I find it hypocritical for Gibbons to label anything as being “bush league” when he epitomizes the term. The Toronto announcers acted like a petulant child who didn’t get his way, incessant whining and juvenile posturing from the Toronto dugout simply added to the comic relief of the situation. Alex’s smirk was the icing on the cake.
I’d suggest that everyone read Murphydog’s 9:11 comment on this thread. Very balanced, and spot on. It says it all (as well as the muted “support” from his own teammates on what happened).
The fact is that no one (teammates or opponents) particularly likes this guy. It’s not jealousy, because professionsl athletes admire exceptional talent. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
“I find it hypocritical for Gibbons to label anything as being “bush leagueâ€? when he epitomizes the term.”
not to beat a dead horse, but especially a day after phelps was run over at first by an interfering bj baserunner…
Just for the record, Howie Clark has had 240 Major league at bats, he is over 33. John McDonald was protecting Howie by taking it up with A Rod as a way to defelct criticism from Howie making his season debut.
Brian: Damon had a quote about the play so exactly how was that “muted” support?
all i have to say is if he was on the red sox you guys would grill him. im happy he did it but it is bush league. but hey the yanks won so w/e
Two weeks from now (quite possibly) sooner, this will be fogotton.
You know everyone here and on WFAN talk about the spark that we need or the Yankees lack the desire to win. What ESPN calls dirty, I call competitive.
In Basketball, you have the ball rolling out of bounds and a competitive player will throw it off an opposing player’s body. In Football they have lip readers. In hockey, they tap their sticks on the ice to trick the other player into passing it to them.
I fail to see how this is considered bush league, but something like AJ Pierzynski tricking the umpire into believing strike 3 hit the ground in a playoff game is considered a smart play.
ehhh, did some schmuck from Canada actually criticize the US Dollar? Obviously the dollar isn’t as strong as it once was, but since when is Canada in a place to gloat? Just because their dollar is worth 10% less instead of 50% or 100% less, suddenly it reflects well on them?
Don’t think so. Go brag to Mexico how strong your dollar is.
The Yankees finally gain a game in the standings and all anyone wants to talk about is this stupid play. Get the hell over it.
The game was basically over anyway. Were the Jays going to score two or three runs against Mo?
A-Rod is stupid to make up such a dumb excuse (he was “excited” about running to third? WHAT?!), but the Jays and ESPN need to get over it. The only reason they are so pissed off is because their two infielders look like total morons. It’s embarrassing for them to fall for it — not for Alex to do it.
And if they plunk Alex, whoever is pitching that day — even if it’s Mike Mussina! — better back him up and hit someone.
Or how about when Tori Hunter pretends to lose the ball in the Metrodome roof hoping to trick baserunners into taking off. Everyone just has a laugh at that one.
How many people scream at an opposing player running down the court on a fast break in basketball???
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/officia.....erms_2.jsp
Official Rules: 2.00 Definition of Terms:
‘INTERFERENCE
(a) Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play.
If the umpire declares the batter, batter- runner, or a runner out for interference, all other runners shall return to the last base that was in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference, unless otherwise provided by these rules.
Rule 2.00 (Interference) Comment: In the event the batter-runner has not reached first base, all runners shall return to the base last occupied at the time of the pitch.”
BUSH LEAGUE? BUSH LEAGUE? The Jays should stop whinning and worry about the fact that his infielder can’t field. Maybe they can buy that ESPN video that teaches them the basics of fielding.
Official Rules: 2.00 Definition of Terms
INTERFERENCE
(a) Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. If the umpire declares the batter, batter- runner, or a runner out for interference, all other runners shall return to the last base that was in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference, unless otherwise provided by these rules.
HE WAS WRONG, NO QUESTION. Not that this will change any Yankees Fans minds, you’re never wrong.
I think its pretty clear the offensive interference rule is meant to protect the fielder from physical interference.
If you read the defensive interference rule it too could easily be interpreted to include verbal abuse that “impedes” the hitter, but that’s obviously not the way it was designed to work.
“If the umpire declares the batter” the rule is pretty vague, if you read it again. Umpire’s descretion.
“(b) Defensive interference is an act by a fielder which hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch.”
I suppose that means catchers never yell at batters, since I’ve never seen defensive interference called on a catcher while a pitch is being delivered.
Or, maybe it’s the simple fact that the umpires knew it was a rookie mistake to fall for it and a simple “ha!” is not something that should confuse a pro ball player to the point of dropping a routine pop-up, a play that 8 year olds make on a regular basis.
Adam, I guess where the grey area lies is the word “confuses”. If it turns out that A-rod did in fact say “Mine”, then he should’ve been called out.
Tarheel askes….
When did he become known as a dirty player?
Slap vs. Bronson Arroyo
Egregious slide into Pedroia
“Mine” last night….
Just to highlight a few.
I really think this is silly. Bush league?
I don’t recall anyone saying it was bush when James Worthy deceived Fred Brown?
I could probably cite dozens of other examples.
Toronto just sounds plain silly complaining about this.
“Confuses” ??? Is that really in there ? So you are really at the mercy of mentally deficient players that are easily confused ?
the situation is vice versa if something like that happens to the yankees isnt it?we would all say this guy is a big jerk blah blah blah.
shawn,
The “slap” was overrated as a dirty play. He was just trying to make something happen.
The Pedroia play was not dirty.
We all know about the play last night.
If that is all you can come up with, I still say he isn’t a dirty player.
“Egregious” slide into Pedroia ? ROTFLMAO!!! Sox fans – is there a more insecure, obsessive group of lame fans in all of sports ?
Sorry, William, you’re wrong. If a Yankee infielder fell for that we would be killing the doofus for falling for it.
“the situation is vice versa if something like that happens to the yankees isnt it?we would all say this guy is a big jerk blah blah blah.”
Umm no. Speaking for myself, I’d be pissed if two Yankee infielders were that stupid as to fall for it in the first place. They’re professionals, its their jobs to catch the damn ball admid a thousand different kinds of potential distractions… no matter what.
William,
If this happened to the Yankees rather than the Blue Jays, I’d probably just laugh at how pathetic we were. Kind of like when the dude stole home on us last game.
if you look closely you can see the rage in alex’s eyes. he looks very similar to the way that anakin skywalker looks in revenge of the sith right before and after he turns to the dark side which you know is the more powerful side of the force. the problem was in 2004 he was made to feel guilty for the rage, so when he went to knock the ball out of bronson arroyo’s glove we should have celebrated. it was very smart but also shows the opposing team that you are not afraid of slamming them like a ninja would slam an infant if you are losing.
porcupines never have to apologize and neither should a-rod. i only wish the yankees were playing toronto tonight so that he could do more damage. if you are paying attention you will notice that this event took place two days after roger clemens banged his fist on a table after he got super pissed off at a reporter. every reporter now has the fear. i would not want to be a reporter today in th usa with roger clemens coming back. you know he has the rage and will use it.
i am glad a-rod is using the rage. he also had the rage when he used his elbow going into second base last week. and of course he had the rage when he went after jason varitek in 2004 but yankee fans and the media made him feel guilty. “it’s not the yankee way” said curt schilling. interesting since anakin says “i shoulsn’t, it’s not the jedi way” before being told cut off dooku’s head by palpatine.
point is the dark angry side is more powerful. wipe them out. all of them. like in 2004 why did nobody bunt on the camera whore, i mean curt schilling? his ankle was in a shambles and we could have ended it right there. run over him on the way to fist. the rage.
now that cynthia is leaving a-rod he will have the rage big time. a-rod will be every bit the ninja, the cannibal that clemens is. they will leave no city standing. stadiums will be empty. opposing fans will not even show up to the games. why? because if you have even the slightest bit off bad breath these two will seriously mess you up like a hippopotomous would mangle a family from kansas on safari. little things like that can make guyls like alex and roger totally flip. a red sox fan could drop a peanut in the stands accidentally and the next thing the guy or girl knows is that his or her family is standing around you at their funeral and the mother is saying “why why did you not listen to me. the yankees have the rage. the yankees…have…the rage.”
all alex said was “mine!” when he rounded the bases. you watch. next time it will not be anything verbal. next time you will just see that suddenly the third baseman has no head, and blood is going everywhere. alex nonchalantly will trot home with clemens gleefully smiling in the dugout.
a-rod will shout “mine.”
clemens will bang his fist.
“porcupines never have to apologize and neither should a-rod.”
LOL. thanks for the laugh. That was a funny way of putting it.
I loved reading through this thread. All the angst. All the drama. “He disgraced your team with the slap…” “Bush league…” “No class…” Seriously, this is high comedy of the “I’ve never seen a group of people who more desperately needed to get over themselves” variety. My hat is off to you, A-Rod Haters.
What’s so wrong about Bush League anyway???
Porkchop is the best poster on this blog.
Alex didnt say MINE, given the way his mouth moved that would be impossible.
Dwayne from Boston? Big surprise lol
“Egregious� slide into Pedroia ? ROTFLMAO!!! Sox fans – is there a more insecure, obsessive group of lame fans in all of sports ?
Yeah, Yankees fans. Did you have to look that word up Shep?
The bottom line in this matter is that right or wrong, A-Rod is a lighting rod to stuff like this. He brings it on himself. Jeter would never pull this kind of stuff.
We may be lame Shep but we’re kicking your ass so shut up.
Bush League, yes. Hillarious, yes. Legal, yes.
Get over it Toronto.
Polly – im crying that was so funny
Shawn: Kiss the rings
lol
Jerkface May 31st, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Shawn: Kiss the rings
lol
Way to amuse yourself…..and no one else.
You got that sox appeal, baby
Over 200 posts on this thread, most about A-Rod and “Ha!”.
Gotta love it. And shawn, the “rules” are subject to broad interpretation. Thus when a pitcher tries to hit a batter, even though this is an attmept to prevent the batter from hitting the ball, we do not say it “is an act by a fielder which hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch”, although it clearly is just that.
When a runner tires to block a fielder’s view of a grounder, same thing. There really has to be a physical act for a runner to be called out for interference.
But you are right, the Saux have had our number this year. I almost wish they had beaten the Indians last night since the Yanks are more likely to win the wild card then the East (althought the Tribe is in first place…)
William, if that happened to us we’d be getting on the players, OUR players for not making a simple play… not whining about someone yelling as they round the bases.
I agree Jimbo, but I think the big deal at least inside the world of baseball is that there is an unwritten rule between competitors not to pull stuff like that. Who knows what he said or didn’t say, but I just wish a day went by that the guy didn’t dig himself into a hole, he is one of the best players out there, maybe the best ever and we have to watch him screw things up day in and day out. Even as a sox fan it has been a blast watching how good a start he had, it was amazing in so many ways. I was rooting for him to keep it up but once you start the snowball down the hill….
Jerkface, are you referring to the TV show or the charecter of the fans? Glass houses my friend.
Are you serious?? Has your mighty yankees actually stooped to the antics of little league taunting to try and win, or at least score runs? I mean, I know it must suck spending all that money to lock yourself into last place. Pitifull. Hey at least stealing Damon from us paid off for you.
How happy is arod that people are talking about the play last night instead of the girl he took to the strip club?
Maybe the fans should stop making noise while the players are in action. No distractions.
But I must admit it was pretty bush league but entertaining. There hasn’t been much excitement lately.
What player when calling off a teamate, yells MINE only once!! if you are trying to get a teamates attention to move you say it numerous times. not once. He lost the ball didn’t know where it was and found a way to blame someone other than himself. HE didn’t want to be sent back down after 16 years in the minors for dropping an EASY pop up.
Maybe this fiasco will inspire the Yankees….to play .500 ball for the rest of the year.
shawn,
no one here cares what red sox trolls think.
by the way if you didn’t like the way arod slid into your little second baseman, get a bigger one.
“by the way if you didn’t like the way arod slid into your little second baseman, get a bigger one.”
Lol, good one, Randy.
Randy, isn’t that comment being a Yankee Troll on this forum? who care what YOU think or what I think?
Mike an Chris are hammering A-Rod right now for a move that YOU (Major leaguers) JUST DON’T DO.
It’s only a bush league play if it works: Major leaguers are too good to get fooled by it, so there’s no point to the attempt.
You don’t see straight steals of home too often either, because most times major leaguers react in time to throw the guy out. As the Jays showed though, sometimes it’s worth a shot.
Look at the replay with an open mind, and you’ll see that the 3rd baseman had no clue on that ball. It landed a good four feet away from him, and he didn’t even look off at the shortstop until ARod was well past him.
Keep your eye on the ball, rookie.
A-Rod has every right to distract the players on the other team. What is the difference between what A-Rod did and a player pausing in front of an infielder while running between bases to distract them from a ground ball. Or, an outfielder faking a catch so that the runner will thin they need to tag up. Or, the infielder faking the receiving of the cut-off throw to delay or stop the runner from moving up a base.
It’s part of the game. And it’s done in every sport.
For example, in hockey, a defensive player will routinely skate in behind the offensive player who is carrying the puck and call for the puck. More often than you think, the offensive player will mistakenly pass the puck to the player on the other team.
If you don’t think these professional players play this way, crawl back under your rock.
The goal is to win. And anything goes within the rules.
Yankees Off Day Between Seattle and Chicago
By the way, remmber that little debate when Pete posted that most players took the day off on May 14 instead of going directly to Chicago? Here’s a note for all of you who defended the players who wanted to use the off day “to go home and see their families.” They didn’t. A-Rod instead went to Vegas and partied all night with that same blonde at a club on the strip.
I feel what is lost in all of this is that the third baseman was a rookie who had just been called up from AAA, as a third baseman it is his job to give way to the shortstop if he hears him call for it, because this kid was not familiar with his new teammates, he was obviously distracted. In my opinion it was a great move by A-Rod to take advantage of this, had Glauss been going for the pop up he wouldn’t have missed it and none of this would have been an issue, with MO in the game the yanks probably would have won anyway and this would all be moot. But because there was a rookie at third and he was nervous A-rod got away with one, this should be no different than any of the other trickery that goes on, you can clearly see the replay and he utters one word as he’s going by, whether it was “Ha” or “mine” will only be known by two people, had A-rod been yelling numerous times or obviously saying “I got it” it may have been worse but he didn’t. He fooled a rookie third baseman who was nervous, a few weeks ago I saw Delmon Young drop a ball because we were yelling at him from the bleachers, does this mean that as fans we were in the wrong, NO WAY!!!! that’s baseball and its “A-Rod being A-rod” I love it
West Coast Fan writes – The goal is to win. Wow that is some heavy stuff, Who would have thought?
Wether he misplayed the ball or not, A-Rod still still resorted to playing like a cheat. I mean he is the best player in baseball, you think he would be setting a different kind of example.
Oh and Randy, These red sox trolls can at least enjoy watching a team who can win.
A-Rod is more than taking one for the team with the press this week! No one seems to be talking about Giambi limping around the bases, Damon’s calfs, Abreu looking lost, the imploding bullpen, Jorge cooling off at the plate, or Jeter K’ing 3 times last night.
The lightning rod (admittedly self-inflicted) does his job once again.
I just had the chance to read through today’s posting regarding last night’s I got, You take fiasco…..Anyone who knows the game or has been around the game views this as a non issue….However it is because it’s the Yankees, because it’s A-Rod, and most importantly is that those two chumps fell for it…..Two other observations, Is DeWayne from Toronto really Antonio, and whoever the PorkChop is,,,That was some real funny shit my man…..Remember they arrested Dave Winfield for killing a seagull on a return throw from the outfiled to the dugout…..Need I say more…….By the way, how severe is the sprain to Hughes’s ankle….That’s important…..
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