Rodriguez: “I always have to look in the mirror”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Oct 12, 2012 
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Alex Rodriguez just met with reporters on the field during batting practice.
“Obviously I’m not happy,” he said. “And, obviously disappointed. You want to be in there in the worst way, but I keep (saying), this is not a story about one person. It’s about a team, and we have some unfinished business today. Our objective is to win one game and keep this thing moving.”
Is he mentally prepared to come off the bench at some point?
“Oh, yeah, without a question. As you know, 27 outs, a lot can happen, so I’ll be ready from the first inning on.”
Does he feel singled out?
“No. It is what it is. You don’t worry about that. I can’t control that. The only thing I can do is go out and have some quality at-bats and help the team win.”
Unhappy with Girardi for making the decision?
“No, it’s never about Joe. I always have to look in the mirror and do what I can do to do the best I can. Now don’t assume you’ve heard the last from us or me.”
Is it different being pulled for a pinch hitter vs. being benched?
“I’m not going to get into that. We’re ready to go today. We’ve got to win a game. I’m part of this team and I’m ready to roll. And I’ll be ready.”
Good Natitude Alex.
Be ready.
Still don’t like this move at all.. I just hope Chavez turns it on and makes Joe look like a genius because if he does what he did in game 3 this move sinks your season.
I like A-Rod’s reaction to the word “Benched”. He doth bleed.
Great line ” Now don’t assume you’ve heard the last from us or me.”
But at this point, I’d believe it more if Arnold Schwarzenegger said it. From him right now it’s just more of his hot air
Shame-
Alex hasn’t exactly been lighting it up.
Seems like he knows that. The bar is pretty low for Eric, unfortunately.
I don’t expect much out of Hammel tonight (who has not started a game in over a month), and the Yankee offense should really beat him into submission. The lineup the Yankees run out there won’t matter much at all.
But around here it will be “obviously sitting arod and blah and blah and…”
Hindsight and perspective around here are severely lacking.
—
Just so rich. Guy comes on here pointing at this and that is so wrong, acting like he knows everything, and doesn’t even know that today’s pitcher started game 1…
Alex said all the right things. I wonder how he really feels on the inside.
Shame Spencer October 12th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
Still don’t like this move at all.. I just hope Chavez turns it on and makes Joe look like a genius because if he does what he did in game 3 this move sinks your season.
—
The move is already correct based on past performance, what happens in one game is not going to change that fact.
Alex Rodriguez will not be the 1st or last great player to ride the pine.
It happens.
Tonight’s game is for all the marbles.
That should be the focus.
As A-Rod said himself, “It’s about the team” and not the individual.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way.
jacksquat – I corrected myself. I don’t expect anything from Hammel tonight. He has pitched one game since Sept 11th. Big deal.
Try being positive. It works wonders.
That’s it, I’m gonna wear my old leather helmet for this game.
STUDENT BODY RIGHT!!!
I verify that ID corrected himself.
Girardi really is a hypocrite. After talking for years about not making too much of the results in a short series, refusing to bench guys like Martin, Swisher in the past and Granderson now (who has struggled more than ARod) he benches Alex because he’s an easy scapegoat.
After a few cold ones I’ll correct myself.
At least I hope so.
jacksquat October 12th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Shame Spencer October 12th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
Still don’t like this move at all.. I just hope Chavez turns it on and makes Joe look like a genius because if he does what he did in game 3 this move sinks your season.
—
The move is already correct based on past performance, what happens in one game is not going to change that fact.
————–
I just disagree. Chavez hasn’t been lighting anything up with his bat either, and that’s not just in this series but for the past 2 months.
I just don’t see this as being a clear improvement. I don’t think by sitting Arod you just made this team magically better offensively.
Granderson needs to be hitting as low in the order as possible. Martin has actually gotten some good ABs the past few games and should be slotted higher. Sliding Ibanez in the DH slot is the better move and pushing everyone down a spot or two would be enough, IMPO.
I don’t get it. People have been calling to bench Arod for days and now that he is finally benched they are crying about it?
I agree, sitting Arod is the right thing to do. It will be hard for Chavez to perform worse than Arod. The only person who deserves the bench more is Granderson. I didn’t like Gardner on the roster over Dickerson when they announced it. At least Swisher hit a fly ball to the outfield last night. Had Arod been able to do that, we wouldn’t be having this discussion today.
LGY-
He benched Alex because he had a viable replacement to insert.
And because Alex has sucked lately against righties.
So has Grandy sucked but GGBG is not available or I bet he gets some splinters too.
man to see swish + grandy in the lineup has got to make arod raise an eyebrow or two…but i guess you can always say they bat left handed.
I think Joe’s move is the correct one, but it sure doesn’t stop me from feeling bad for Alex. I feel horrible for him personally. I hope he figures out whatever the problem is and gets if fixed, whether he’s a Yankee for the remainder of his career or not.
How is this a short series result? Arod hasnt been very good against righties all year. Im guessing just his stats from when he returned from the DL until not are bad against RHP.
LGY October 12th, 2012 at 3:41 pm
Girardi really is a hypocrite. After talking for years about not making too much of the results in a short series, refusing to bench guys like Martin, Swisher in the past and Granderson now (who has struggled more than ARod) he benches Alex because he’s an easy scapegoat.
———-
The fact that it was reported Cash weighed in on this tells me something…. I just don’t know what yet because I’m too busy being worried about getting to the subway by 5pm.
So has Grandy sucked but GGBG is not available or I bet he gets some splinters too.
——-
why is GGBG not available? with the way granderson is swinging the bat, he’s an automatic out. and it’s worse that in an NL park, at least the pitcher will bunt and make a productive out. granderson can’t bunt and he’s a strikeout waiting to happen.
GGBG strictly bunting, is an upgrade at this point.
You just gotta hope Cano and Tex come up big. These 2 need big hits.
I think Grandy and Swisher being left-handed and having power is the reason why.
That, and the lack of an acceptable D replacement for one or both.
GGBG is not available and Raul leaves something to be desired on D and is the DH.
No other Left-handed DH.
Irreverent Discourse October 12th, 2012 at 3:39 pm
jacksquat – I corrected myself. I don’t expect anything from Hammel tonight. He has pitched one game since Sept 11th. Big deal.
Try being positive. It works wonders.
—
Fine.
People should try being more positive about Chavez, he was a significant part of this team.
GGBG is not available because Joe thinks he is not ready to swing the stick.
Not enough reps. Rusty.
Guess he thinks the BB and/or bunting thing is not worthwhile or viable.
I’m not sure I agree but he has the info.
djsunyc October 12th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
So has Grandy sucked but GGBG is not available or I bet he gets some splinters too.
——-
why is GGBG not available?
————-
Because this team decided it’d be a good idea to carry a player they knew they’d never trust with at-bats.
consistency is what you need from a manager (not consistently bad). You replace arod with chavez bec. he can not hit righty, why on earth was granderson on the lineup yesterday when he is even worse? If defense is the answer then gardner is a better defender and has a better chance than granderson. Gardner could have bunted all night long and has a better chance. And I would not even go to swisher.
I think Joe will lose the clubhouse eventually in next season.
@MarcCarig
The Orioles, tired of Yankees propoganda playing on board during BP, brought a boom box to play their own music at cage during BP.
————-
Sigh… can we just beat this team??
I read these comments often and rarely contribute, but reading this entry has me steaming. What Joe Girardi has done in pinch hitting (2x) and benching Alex Rodriguez over the past three games is far worse than anything Joe Torre did in batting him 8th. This is clearly a singling out. He has hit a few balls on the screws, meanwhile Granderson looks like a little leaguer and Swisher keeps getting bailed out because he “just missed em.” Absolute joke. Not to mention Robinson Cano’s disappearing act. Joe just forever damaged a relationship with a player who is going nowhere. Ask Torre who won this battle last time around? Not the manager making a few mill vs. the highly paid star player. Talk about clueless Joe. Hypocrisy at its finest. So what happens if they win? Detroit is throwing almost all righties. So no Alex all ALCS. Let me not get ahead of myself considering no ones hits the ball out of the infield on this team.
Shame-
Pinch runner. D replacement.
Emergency hitter.
Joe should be thinking more small ball right now.
Everyone should stop feeling bad for Alex. He is a grown man, has made a bazillion dollars, has enjoyed an immense amount of success in his career. This is a very small window in his life, he’ll be fine.
“Pathetic that Girardi is trying to scapegoat ARod for this team’s offensive struggles”
I don’t think he is…..I think he’s trying to be objective and do what gives them the best chance to win. ….he doens’t have anybody to play in place of Martin…..doesn’t really have a better option than Granderson…..he does have Chavez who plays 3B and is hitting RHP much better than Arod…..
@dougglanville
With ARod out of lineup. The bushes have been removed. No more shield taking all the hits. See what the rest of the bats do…
——————-
True.
?@MarcCarig
Hitting coach Kevin Long keeps track of what he calls “chases” out of the strike zone. Granderson leads team with 16 in ALDS.
@MarcCarig
Right behind Granderson, Cano and A-Rod have 15 “chases” according to Long.
—————–
Ugly.
and to Joe’s credit when he broke the seal on this Arod thing….it directly led to a Yankee win.
@MarcCarig
O’s feeling humourous today: Wieters sent Joba a bat. He signed it: “Joba, stop sawing me off. It’s safer.”
Shame Spencer October 12th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
@MarcCarig
The Orioles, tired of Yankees propoganda playing on board during BP, brought a boom box to play their own music at cage during BP.
———————
Doesn’t every team show highlights of their players during BP?
Don’t put this all on Girardi.
He said he “consulted” on the A-Rod decision.
Wouldn’t surprise me if they told him.
At any rate, I’m sure Joe and Alex’s relationship will survive this.
So if GGBG is rusty because he hasn’t had enough reps, why put him on the team? Was this a decision other than Girardi’s? If he was really forced to take him, he is a fool for not playing him.
MTU October 12th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Shame-
Pinch runner. D replacement.
Emergency hitter.
Joe should be thinking more small ball right now.
——————-
Well yeah… except we haven’t used him that way either. I just didn’t understand the point of carrying a guy you didn’t think could be a full time player at that point. I didn’t get it then and I still don’t. But it’s the least of our worries tonight.
blake October 12th, 2012 at 3:55 pm
and to Joe’s credit when he broke the seal on this Arod thing…
———————–
It started last yr with Jorge and continued this season season with Alex. The transition from the old guard is taking place. The problem is there are no immediate replacements on the way.
As long as the O’s lose I don’t care what they prefer.
blake October 12th, 2012 at 3:55 pm
and to Joe’s credit when he broke the seal on this Arod thing….it directly led to a Yankee win.
————-
Okay, but again, Chavez put up a goose egg in that game… Ibanez could have started off in the DH spot along with having Arod in there and it might not have required the boldest, gutsiest, most intelligent managerial move of the century to win that game.
Kevin Long: “In this series, Curtis has 16 chases, Cano 15 and A-Rod 14.”
That’s quite a lot of “chases” in four games.
Hope they have better luck connecting with the ladies!
Yankees propaganda? Makes it seem like a North Korean dictatorship….
Shame-
Call Joe for a complete and detailed explanation.
That’s the best I can do with my limited knowledge.
Sorry.
Let’s not compare this to the Jorge thing.
Losers.
There is no question that Granderson has sucked of late.
You could fly a B52 through the hole in swing lately.
girardi was given credit for pinch hitting ibanez. What was lost in translation there was ibanez should be in the lineup to begin with bec. he is hot. Girardi was saved by ibanez for a wrong decision to begin with and then he rewarded him by benching him the ffg day and then not using him on the right situation.
Good thing we took out Alex so Chavez could bat 9th. Let just move up a bunch of guys hitting worse than the guy we benched. Nice Joe. See you in the YES studios next year. Maybe your binder full of Pokemon cards will play better there.
He said the right things, and that counts. A few years ago, he would’ve bent over backwards trying to say something appropriate… and then tripped over his shoelaces and blurted out something that would offend several members of the team, especially Derek Jeter.
“Still don’t like this move at all.”
Me either no matter the outcome. It’s a panic move.
I’ve gotta run.
Whatever happens try to enjoy the game.
It isn’t real life.
And no matter what happens there’s always next year.
May the wind be at the Yankee’s back and Lady Luck be on their side.
“MTU October 12th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
LGY-
He benched Alex because he had a viable replacement to insert.
And because Alex has sucked lately against righties.
So has Grandy sucked but GGBG is not available or I bet he gets some splinters too.”
This makes too much sense. It’s the truth THIS moment in time. A-Rod is not done. In decline, but the story is far from over. I’m sure his health (including strength since he hurt his hand) is not 100 %
So if GGBG is rusty because he hasn’t had enough reps, why put him on the team? Was this a decision other than Girardi’s? If he was really forced to take him, he is a fool for not playing him.
——————————————————————————————
If all GGBG can’t hit, they should have put Dickerson on the roster.
And we will win tonight. Hammels will be pounded. Yes, by this “anemic” offense
gardner actually has a hit in the last few regular season games so he can swing the bat. The only reason granderson over gardner is hr. Gardner is a better defender, stolen base threat but only a single hitter. But gardner bunting every at bat against a lefty will be more productive than granderson.
Not a panic move…if they could pull Grandy, they would and should…he is stinking up the place, too…this is a WIN or GO HOME game
Sorry you’re going, Mister MYU. ET at the ready.
Mr. MTU, obviously.
I have no problem with benching ARod. He can be replaced with a slightly better fielder and a lefty bat in Chavez.
I’m sure if Joe could replace Granderson, he would do that, too. But u can’t replace Grandy with Gardner and his three at bats in a late season blowout game.
ARod really was the only person who could be replaced and maintain the lefty-righty matchups. Girardi made the right call. ARod still can help from the bench (as long A’s he doesn’t face ODay.
Larry Bowa & Mitch Williams discussed ARod swing and both of them came to the conclusion
that Arod is basically “locked up.
The proof is that during the game last night he whiffed on 85 mph fastball from that O’s reliever.
Alex understands as he knows better than anyone how he is batting. No doubt it makes him unhappy the team believes they have a better chance to win without him. I’m not sure if he disagrees with that at the moment.
The larger question is whether a reduced role is his future starting next year by sitting him against all or some righties. I just can’t see the team giving up on him playing regularly. If they did next year at some point, would he be willing to be a part-timer? I hate to watch him struggle. What must he be feeling? Is he doubting himself or thinking he’s in a slump?
Wanted to post this while I’m waiting for the game to start.
I’ve been sitting on this info for awhile because I don’t want to expose who I’ve learned it from or where I heard it in person.
Let’s just say I go to a place where a high ranking member of the Yankees org also goes.
I just realized a few weeks ago who this person was who is constantly talking about the Yankees like he knows them.
At first I thought maybe he was a team Dr. or something, but he’s more involved with the team than that.
When I asked another person who goes to this place who this guy was and he told me the name, I googled it to see if there was a picture of him to confirm his identity. The guy is who he says he is.
Anyway, while talking to some people about the team the subject came to Arod. He said the following about Arod; He comes in with a different injury to complain about each day and is constantly making excuses to the team due to his injuries. He compared him to Jeter who makes no excuses and that the team is getting fed up with Arod’s whining. His words. Not mine.
He also said there are many in the org who wish he would go back on PED’s. He was laughing when he said this. When someone said to him “wouldn’t he get suspended” his response was they didn’t care and it would be a blessing. He then got serious and said they feel they are not getting the production they paid for.
He then said something that I didn’t believe until this week. He said the team is so fed up with Arod and his routine that if he doesn’t produce, they are going to make life very uncomfortable for him in the hopes that he walks away from the contract.
I thought that was a load of garbage until this week.
If you think the fans in here are rough on the players I can tell you first hand that this person who is involved with the team is worse. The guy comes off as a bit of a blowhard and no, it’s not Hank. If I met Hank, I’d take pics and tell all of you.
Other things I’ve heard this person say are they love Ichiro and are scared of his age, but will probably bring him back. They also love Cano and he will get the money from them.
He scapegoated other players including Tex, but I won’t get into what he was saying since I really don’t want this person to know someone is revealing what he says at this place we both go to. Some of the stuff is way too specific that if the Yankees somehow read this and showed it to some of the execs this guy would figure out where he said this and to what group of people.
I don’t think what’s happening today is just coming from Girardi’s gut. I think it’s coming from above as well.
MLB.COM is offering the game today for $5 via postseason.t.v
So what happens when Mr. Breakable Chavez goes 0 for 4 with 3 whiffs?
You can see Alex thinking in the box, and that is killing him. He is a guess hitter right now with diminished bat speed. When u get a righty pitcher with a substantial velocity split between a four seamer and off speed pitches, Alex is toast. He does not have the bat speed right now to react to pitches. He is trying to guess and outsmart the pitcher. Instead, he is outsmarting himself.
“I don’t think what’s happening today is just coming from Girardi’s gut. I think it’s coming from above as well.”
Once they reported this came from Cash as well I think that pretty much says it all. That’s why I love it when people on here are like ‘oh no, he has a no trade clause, we’ll never get rid of X player!’ Um, no… the team just makes player X so uncomfortable that they’d agree to any trade to get them out of town.
I am going to unfollow Adam Jones on twitter if the orioles win today.
“He then said something that I didn’t believe until this week. He said the team is so fed up with Arod and his routine that if he doesn’t produce, they are going to make life very uncomfortable for him in the hopes that he walks away from the contract.”
If this is true, there isn’t anything they could do to Alex to make him walk away from $25mil a year, especially since he wouldn’t be able to get that $$$ anywhere else.
The AROD options:
1. He plays five more years at a reducening amount;
2. They trade him for little and pay most of the salary to do it;
3. AROD retires and gives up tens of millions of dollars.
I can’t see no. 3 happening. Conceivably, in the last year, but the union would go crazy if more than that.
It just doesn’t work very well to have your highest paid player unhappily not playing so I think he will be traded at some point with the Yankees paying a high percent. Miami has been suggested. Makes sense to him for personal reasons. Miami needs to believe he has some continue utility.
I know this is off-topic, but what’s the deal with the Baltimore playoff starting rotation? None of the starters are established stars like CC, Petite or Kuroda. You’ve got 2 cast-offs (Hammel & Saunders) and 2 unheralded 27-year old rookies. Great pitching beats great hitting, but these pitchers are not great, and the fact that the Yankees aren’t pummeling them shows how badly the Yankee bats are.
Alvaro
” Um, no… the team just makes player X so uncomfortable that they’d agree to any trade to get them out of town.”
Trade him to whom? I had tons of people on here telling me that no team would take him unless the Yankees paid the whole tab. I don’t care how much $$$ the Yankees have or how badly they want Alex gone. They are not paying him $20+mil to play for someone else, especially since he may start raking again.
Laura,
Like I said, this guy comes off like a blowhard. He literally tells everyone who stands near him he is involved with the Yankees. In the past I just ignored him, but there was a group of people around listening to him spew and I stayed to listen and then asked someone who he was.
I took it with a grain of salt until this week.
Even after confirming who he was, I just thought he was spouting off to impress the people he was holding court with.
“It just doesn’t work very well to have your highest paid player unhappily not playing so I think he will be traded at some point with the Yankees paying a high percent. Miami has been suggested. Makes sense to him for personal reasons. Miami needs to believe he has some continue utility.”
I don’t know if Miami would be as generous as the Dodgers. If I were a team that the Yankees were trying to dump Alex on, I’d tell them that they had to pay the whole nut or no deal.
For the record, I don’t believe for a second that Alex is done. I think that there’s still a lot of talent left and he just needs to stay healthy to show it.
Arod will come into spring training looking in the best shape of his life looking to have a monster season. hehe.
“Even after confirming who he was, I just thought he was spouting off to impress the people he was holding court with.”
You should send an email to the Yankee brass and get him fired.
The comments from ARod were tremendous. The guy certainly has matured.
If I didn’t know any better, I could assume those words were spoken by someone like Jeter
or Mo.
ARod really is taking the high road, is thinking about the team first and fully understands that he has only himself to blame for not being in the starting line-up today.
Best case scenario today-
Yankees win going away
ARod never has to warm up and can use today as a “mental health” day off.
If the Yankees win and Chavez doesn’t do anything. Is it still a good move?
“Great pitching beats great hitting, but these pitchers are not great, and the fact that the Yankees aren’t pummeling them shows how badly the Yankee bats are.”
Make no mistake – the Yankee hitters know what a bum Saunders is and they are embarrased that they didn’t score 10 off of him.
G Love, it’s cool that Mr. Morgan — or is it Mr. Wilhelm? — is a member of your health club.
igotid88 October 12th, 2012 at 4:38 pm
If the Yankees win and Chavez doesn’t do anything. Is it still a good move?
——————————————————————————————————
Yes
Because the Yankee win and advance to the next series and play again
tomorrow
Laura – I Bleed Blue October 12th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
” Um, no… the team just makes player X so uncomfortable that they’d agree to any trade to get them out of town.”
Trade him to whom? I had tons of people on here telling me that no team would take him unless the Yankees paid the whole tab. I don’t care how much $$$ the Yankees have or how badly they want Alex gone. They are not paying him $20+mil to play for someone else, especially since he may start raking again.
————-
I was just talking in generalities. People say we can’t move Tex’s contract because he has a NTC.. I say that doesn’t matter at all when a team is committed to getting rid of a guy/contract lol.
If I’m Arod I don’t personally care how much they try to shame me between now and 2017 lol, I’m takin my money.
Nice to see some former posters come back
We’re going to win tonight, even if Mickey, Minnie and Goofy are playing the outfield. Let’s go, boys!
Nick,
Shhh…I don’t want to lose my membership. I do fantasize about this person collapsing and my saving his life and being given a front office job as repayment.
Cal Ripken JR. Just said the same thing about good pitching v good hitting. It’s not that the pitchers are dominating, it’s that the hitters (from both teams) are pressing.
You could see it in the Yanks swings last night. Other than Jeter and maybe Ichiro, the Yankee hitters all were gunning for the walkoff HR. you could almost see Swisher imagining his face on the back page of the Post or Daily News.
Today in Yankees history:
The Yankees surprise their fans and a skeptical press when they name Casey Stengel to replace Bucky Harris as the team’s manager. In his previous stints as the skipper with the National League’s Braves and Dodgers, the ‘Old Professor’ had never finished higher than fifth place.
tom,
I’d happily take Mickey in the OF. Not the mouse.
Isn’t more likely that you’d fail to give him mouth-to-mouth and be kicked out of the club? #poolboy
WTP,
“And you can look it up.”
There’s only one blowhard besides Hank in the front office that’s known to the fans, and that’s Cashman. Cashman is almost at the level of Schilling.
Nick,
You’re right. I could never touch this man’s lips. I would, however, spare a square for him in the proper scenario.
G. Love,
Even Mickey Rivers.
I’d take Mickey Rivers in a heartbeat out there today. Give me him & Oscar Gamble and we’d be good to go.
Tom
I have no idea what you’re referring to
Warning Track Power says:
October 12, 2012 at 4:39 pm
igotid88 October 12th, 2012 at 4:38 pm
If the Yankees win and Chavez doesn’t do anything. Is it still a good move?
——————————————————————————————————
Yes
Because the Yankee win and advance to the next series and play again
tomorrow
————
I meant in terms of singling out Alex. Cause it wouldn’t matter if he was in it or not.
I trost you would do the right thing in the end.