The Trop: A Welcoming Site For A-Rod

It was six months ago when the New York Yankees last played at Tropicana Field against the Tampa Bay Rays.  They won 10-2, in what was the last game of the regular season of 2009.

In the sixth inning of that game, something special happened.  In what was a meaningless game to win for the Yankees, one player was on a mission.  Going into the final game, in what was an injury shortened year, Alex Rodriguez was at 28 homers and 93 rbi on the season. 

Rodriguez hit two home runs in the sixth inning that drove in seven runs, setting an American League record for most RBIs by a batter in a single inning, and giving him his 12th consecutive season, 13 overall, of reaching 30 home runs and 100 RBIs, breaking a tie with Babe Ruth, Manny Ramirez and Jimmie Foxx for the most in MLB history.

After the first three games of the season, Rodriguez is currently hitting .133 with no home runs and just one run knocked in.  Normally hot in April, A-Rod is off to an ice cold start.

With the admitted steroid use in the 2003 season on the back burner, and the World Championship out of the way, he seems less motivated at the plate.  However, I don't think it will take much to get him going and Tropicana Field is just the place for him to start his engine.

The Yankees will play a three-game series with the Rays after a day off on Thursday.  After that, they will return home to open up the new Yankee Stadium in its sophomore season.

In 43 career games at Tropicana, Rodriguez has hit .283 with 14 home runs and 37 rbi.  However, last season, it wasn't until the last game, that he clubbed his only two home runs of 2009 at the venue.

The Yankees carry a 2-1 record after leaving Fenway Park to open the season as they head south to Tampa.