Thursday, July 20, 2006

A-Rod

Sporting Goods

The New York media is absolutely killing A-Rod these days. He's been slumping and he gets paid a lot so that seems like a good enough reason. I actually love seeing Yankee fans boo A-Rod because, it seems to me, the more the fans boo, the worse A-Rod plays. It is great.

Despite drawing the ire of Yankee fans, it is obvious that A-Rod is one of the best players in the game. That being said, Brian Cashman's defense of his golden boy is a little laughable:
"It's just unbelievable to me that there's so much focus on Alex Rodriguez," said Cashman. "He's having the same season as David Wright of the Mets. He's just not getting the same love because of the money he makes."
Really, Brian? Did A-Rod just finish second in the Home-run derby? Did A-Rod homer in the all-star game on a national stage?

And let's do a little statistical comparison.

A-Rod - AVG .285 | HR 20 | RBI 68 | OBP .387 | SLG .506
Wright - AVG .317 | HR 21 | RBI 79 | OBP .389 | SLG .575

Wright has a higher average, a much higher slugging percentage and more RBI.

Hmm? These numbers aren't all extraordiarily different but it is certainly not "the same season." Maybe it will end up that way, but it isn't yet.

Anything else?

A-Rod has 6 more errors at third-base.

Anything else?

There is also that clutch hitting thing. Wright had a walk-off double against Mariano Rivera to cement a 5 run comeback. A-Rod? Well, if you don't know, just read the NY papers. For a more statistical view let's look at their batting averages in "close and late" situations: A-Rod - .180; Wright - .323.

Wright is certainly not A-Rod but he is certainly having a better season.

Plus, Wright isn't an ass.

3 Comments:

Blogger Yossarian said...

I'm glad you brought this up. I'm completely in agreement with you. Bottom of the ninth, two outs, two men on, and you're down by one. Who would you rather have at bat?

A-Rod has had an amazing career, but Wright is the guy you'd want at the plate. Only the most loyal Yankee lapdogs would disagree.

Screw Cashman. I look forward to the trade rumors that are bound to come this off-season when the Yakees are sitting at home watching the Sox, the Sox, the Tigers and the A's(?) slug it out for the honor of playing the New York Metropolitans in the World Series.

Friday, July 21, 2006 3:08:00 AM  
Blogger Darlucky said...

well done chill, you're completely (w)right

i think a-rod is somehow underrated, (though still overpaid obviously), but he's not having a great year. just a very good one.

Friday, July 21, 2006 9:59:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

let's not forget that david wright does not have purple lips. that's a great year.
-O

Friday, July 21, 2006 10:59:00 AM  

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