(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Though it isn't over, 2009 has been a year to remember for the New York Yankees third basemen Alex Rodriguez. He didn't hit over .300, or get the MVP, but he has had one of his biggest seasons ever when it comes to situational hitting, and it is bleeding into October baseball as well. Here is a look at what A-Rod has done so far this season, thirteen moments I have highlighted thus far this season. After the steroid admission and hip surgery, I did not expect him to perform the way he has this year. I guess with a clearer head and a different approach, things are working out for him. I hope it continues.
May 8th: The Return
After a long off season and an unexpected hip surgery, Alex Rodriguez started his season a bit later then the rest of the guys. In his first game back, the first pitch he saw from Orioles pitcher Jeremy Guthrie, a three run home run to deep left. The Yankees went on to win 4-0. This game was a turning point for the Yankees who were in bit of a slump heading into this game, losing their previous five games.
May 16: The first walk-off
In only his second game at the new house in the Bronx, A-Rod was up to bat in a 4-4 tie game in the 11th inning. Going 0-1 with four walks in his first game at the new stadium, and 0-3 in his first three at-bats during this game, his first hit, a walk-off two run home run to win the game for the Yankees. A nice way to start things off at home.
May 25: 5-for-5 with four rbi in Arlington
Matching his career high of five hits, Rodriguez's return to Texas went as well as it could for him in an 11-1 victory against the Texas Rangers. “There’s no panic. I know exactly what I’m capable of doing,” Rodriguez said. “I’m feeling much better each and every day.”
June 26: Getting hot in Hot-Lanta
After a visit down south on the road from Brian Cashman as the Yankees were on the road playing the Atlanta Braves, they needed a lift, and they got it. With his 563rd home run of his career, tying Reggie Jackson for 11th on baseball's all-time list, in the first inning, A-Rod got things started for the Yankees. They went on to win 11-7 and Mariano Rivera earned his 499th career save. “We needed that,” he said. “I needed it. I felt like my body was reacting pretty well.”
June 27: Passing Mr. October
In his first game at the new Citi Field, just a day after he tied Reggie Jackson in Atlanta, he passed him in the 8th inning of this game against the Mets. His 564th career home run, and a hug from his mentor Reggie in the dugout after the big blast.
“The negativity that surrounds the steroids is certainly not something that I carry over to him,” Jackson said. “I do appreciate the fact that he admitted his mistakes, so from here we move forward. Judgment on him will be passed with the next 7 1/2 years of his time with the Yankees.”
July 1: Beating his former team
With the game tied 2-2 in the 6th inning against his former team the Seattle Mariners, A-Rod hit a tie-breaking two run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning to lift the Yankees and Andy Pettitte to victory. The week prior, Alex received two days rest in Miami against the Marlins on June 19 and 20, and since that point, his bat came around.
July 18: Taking out Verlander in a duel
In a very close game in the Bronx against the Detroit Tigers, CC Sabathia and Justin Verlander were going head to head in an ultimate pitchers duel. Alex Rodriguez hit a home run to right in the bottom of the seventh to break the scoreless tie. Melky Cabrera added an rbi single and the Yankees went on to win 2-1. “The game had a feeling that one mistake, one pitch, one swing was going to be the difference,” Rodriguez said.
Aug 7/8: Slaying the Red Sox dragon in the 15th
Not only did Alex Rodriguez do something big for the Yankees, he did something big for himself. In an unbelievable game against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium, the game was scoreless well past midnight and into the 15th inning. Enter, Alex Rodriguez. He smashed a two run home run off of Red Sox pitcher Junichi Tazawa, who was making his MLB
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