A-Rod & Camden
From the YES Network Site -
There’s something about Baltimore that just doesn’t agree with Alex Rodriguez.
A-Rod was out of the lineup Saturday with a stomach bug, the same ailment that caused him to miss two games in Baltimore in early June.
“It’s the same thing that happened to me the last time we were here,” said Rodriguez, who actually played all three games during the Yankees’ August series at Camden Yards. “I must be allergic to something, the ice or the water. I’m not sure what it is.”
“It’s weird,” manager Joe Torre said. “I don’t know if he’s eating at the same place or with the same utensils, but it hasn’t worked very well.”
Rodriguez said he ate at different restaurants than he did in June, trying to “mix it up” and avoid the same problems.
Can it be that A-Rod just doesn’t like to play in Camden Yards? Check out these recent stats, in terms of Alex Rodriguez batting in Baltimore:
2006 (to date): 17 AB & 5 K’s
2005 (his MVP season): 39 AB & 10 K’s
Granted, in 2004, A-Rod hit very well in Camden. Nonetheless, the fact of the matter is, in his last 56 ABs in Baltimore, Alex has whiffed 27% of the time at the plate and he’s batted .196 (during that period).
When a guy bats .196 and strikes out 15 times in 56 ABs at one park, and he’s a star the rest of the time, it’s somewhat safe to say that there’s something about that location which is upsetting him.
Also, when you factor in how bad the O’s pitching has been in the last two years, and that Camden has been a park that has helped RH-batters for the last several seasons, Rodriquez’ struggles there suggest that it’s something out of the ordinary.
Or, maybe it’s just a small sample size thing and a co-winky dink that a guy who almost never (ever) misses a game has now begged out of games there twice in a season (with a tummy ache)?
Then again, maybe A-Rod has nailed it – it’s the water or something. Good thing Cal Ripken Jr. never touched the stuff during his streak.
Who knew A-Rod drinks tap? Crazy stuff:). Anyway, great day today: Yanks win and Boston loses in heartbreaking fashion (again)- what more can you ask for? And sounds like Matsui might be back as soon as tomorrow, it’ll be interesting to see how he does- I don’t want to get my hopes up in fear of a repeat of Giambi in 2004. And Sheffield could be back this week as well. It’s nice to at least have some insurance in case Giambi can’t make it back.
Any chance Pavano can fill in for Mo if he can’t make it back…..? Totally kidding by the way. To paraphrase Tony Soprano: “he’s dead to me.”
Maybe Arod had Wangitis. All those ground balls coming to him. Nick Green was great defensively. Even though ARod has picked it up, I still cringe when the ball goes to him, and it does A LOT when Wang pitches.