Oh, and then there was this…

Evan3457 Says:
October 5th, 2009 at 10:19 p.m.
(from the thread More Of Less From A-Rod In This LDS?)

…with an outside shot of having a very good ALDS against the weaker starters both teams offer outside of Verlander. Perhaps one big hit in each series that has a large positive impact on a game.

Evan3457 Says:
October 6th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
(from the thread In October, The Pen Is Mightier Than All?)

Twins? Meh. Nathan is outstanding in the large, but the Yanks have a good track record against him (0-3, 4.20 ERA, only 4 saves in 12 games finished), including the postseason.

I wish I was as smart everyday as I was 3 days ago.

Yes, tonight, the blue lips beat the blowing lips, A-Rod over Nathan, huh?

Maybe the HR he hit tonight is the reason.

Hero THAT.

Well, for starters, don’t you think a couple of hits producing some runs is much better than a couple of walks? What am I missing here? This seems too obvious, given his situation of “not producing” in the post season and then, well, coming up big…

Yep, it’s a repeated non story, page filler, as MJ said.

Question: So, to date, what’s the difference between 2007 and 2009 for A-Rod?

Answer: Perception

There is no difference. It is also not possible to judge a player based upon one game (or series).

A-Rod could hypothetically go 8 for his next 8 with 8 hrs and 32 RBI against the Twins….giving him 10 for 12 with 34 RBI’s…..and be a hero

Next series: 0 for 12…..and be a goat.

Together he bats .500 with 34 RBI’s in 2 series………hero??

It is all about perception.

This is a story, plain and simple. It’s one of the fluff pieces that fill column inches because every sports page has to have at least two or three stories about the Yankees in October.

The only significance to A-Rod’s performance in Game 1 of this year’s ALDS was that he got two RBI and broke a streak of AB’s where he hadn’t driven in any runners that were on base. It doesn’t mean he’s an MVP and it doesn’t mean he’ll perform in Game 2 or any other game. It only means he broke a personal slump and gives people hope that maybe the statistical anomaly he endured is now behind him and he can now use the law of averages to his advantage. He’s due…and if he goes on a roll, look out Twins, Angels/Red Sox.