Alex Hearts Olerud
Via the Daily News -
A-Rod says John Olerud is ‘pound for pound’ the best ball player he’s played with.
Alex Rodriguez has played with some of the greatest of his era, but his pick for the best pound-for-pound ballplayer isn’t named Ken Griffey Jr., Derek Jeter, Edgar Martinez or Mariano Rivera. “I think pound for pound the best baseball player I have ever played with is John Olerud,” A-Rod says during an interview on “YESterdays,” which premieres on YES on Wednesday at 11 p.m., after the Yankees’ postgame show.
“I just think he influences the game in so many different ways – defensively, offensively. First base, for some reason, is very underrated defensively. There is such great value that you bring to a game, to a winning team, when you are able to field a bunt, cut off and relays. And again, one of the greatest human beings you ever want to meet. If you want to talk about a role model, John Olerud is that person.”
…First base, for some reason, is very underrated defensively. There is such great value that you bring to a game, to a winning team, when you are able to field a bunt, cut off and relays.…
So, Alex, if the Yankees, next season, want to move Jeter to third, would you be willing to then play first base?
I always thought that a subtle turning point in the catastrophic 2004 ALCS was when Olerud was lost for the series. He had a huge HR off of Pedro early in the series, and had really stabilized our defense. I’m pretty sure he made a ton of money, but he was an underrated player.
I agree Joel, Tony Clark had the one big hit that should’ve scored a go-ahead run in game 5, but other than that he was terrible. That freak injury to Olerud really was a big turning point in hindsight.
I’m just curious, why would you move two players to make this switch, when its logistically easier to move one guy?
A-Rod is bigger. Bigger guys should play first. Jeter, being smaller, probably has a longer life at 3rd than Alex.
He may be smaller, but Jeter’s problem at SS has been his range and a slow first step, and I don’t see how moving him to 3B helps that.
On the other hand, ARod has played at least adequately at 3B, and his arm and range would be wasted at first.
By that logic Steve, the Yanks should make Eddy Curry their new 1B.
Seriously though, the logical move for Jeter is to right when Abreu’s deal is up, or left when Damon’s is.
His best skill with the leather has always been his ability to track and catch the ball in the air and his best fielding tool is his arm. I think he’d do well to follow the Robin Yount career arc – though Yount made the switch earlier.
Except, Jeter, himself, has said that he cannot (will not?) play the OF:
http://tinyurl.com/5bxbmv