PS17 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 HI HATERS... http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=3934167 Associated Press A-Rod Homers In 1st Spring Training Game Alex Rodriguez homers in fourth inning of first Spring Training gameTags: MLB, New York Yankees, Alex Rodriguez, Toronto Blue Jays A-Rod Homers In 1st Spring Training Game DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Alex Rodriguez was booed, then homered in his first game since admitting he used a banned substance. Spring Training Blog Check our daily spring training blog with updates on everything our team of writers and analysts is seeing and hearing at the ballpark, plus news tidbits from around the baseball world. Blog The New York Yankees slugger started the spring training season with a two-run home run and two walks Wednesday at the Toronto Blue Jays' ballpark. The third baseman left the exhibition opener in the fifth inning. There were a lot of cheers, a smattering of boos and occasional cat calls from hecklers. Earlier this month, Rodriguez said he used the banned substances from 2001-03 while with the Texas Rangers. Rodriguez walked on five pitches in the first inning. Many in the crowd at mostly filled Dunedin Stadium stood and cheered as he circled the bases after homering off Ricky Romero in the fourth. A-Rod, who had said he was prepared for whatever reception he received from fans, high-fived teammate Robinson Cano as he crossed the plate. After walking on four pitches in the fifth, he was replaced defensively between innings. Earlier, manager Joe Girardi said he planned to talk to Rodriguez during the short bus ride from Tampa to Dunedin, where Yankees fans arrived early and gave A-Rod a polite reception. There were some boos mixed with cheers during pregame introductions and again when he strolled to the plate for the first time. "I'll say a few things before the game. Nothing earth-shattering. He's been through hostile environments before. ... So this will probably seem somewhat par for the course," Girardi said. "It's still different [every] time you go through a new situation. Whether he's experienced a similar situation, it's still a little bit different. It's something he's going to have to work his way through, and we'll be there for him every step of the way." Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morrissey Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I was more excited about Brett Gardner's home run the 2nd pitch of the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PS17 Posted February 25, 2009 Author Share Posted February 25, 2009 I was more excited about Brett Gardner's home run the 2nd pitch of the game. Gardner sucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guido Monzino Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I was more excited about Brett Gardner's home run the 2nd pitch of the game. That's one way to look at it. It's early, but you could also say you don't want to see Brett trying to hit homers. With that speed, he should be keeping the ball on the ground and slapping it around as much as possible. He's not ever going to be a power guy. Remember how excited you got when Melky hit 8 early dingers last year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicious89x Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I was more excited about Brett Gardner's home run the 2nd pitch of the game. I don't want him hitting HR's, I want him making sure he's putting the ball in play and getting on base. HR's are nice but I dont' think he's gonna be a HR hitter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guido Monzino Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Gardner sucks. Gardner >> Melky This team will be much better off if Garnder wins the CF job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guido Monzino Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I don't want him hitting HR's, I want him making sure he's putting the ball in play and getting on base. HR's are nice but I dont' think he's gonna be a HR hitter. Beat ya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PS17 Posted February 25, 2009 Author Share Posted February 25, 2009 Gardner >> Melky This team will be much better off if Garnder wins the CF job. NO SHOT. I'd like to see Gardner beat out Cabrera, but he's not better, he played awfully last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morrissey Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 It's likely Gardner didn't try to hit a home run. I hit several home runs from little league to my senior year in high school, but I never tried to hit one. If you get a good swing on a ball, there's nothing you can do, LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morrissey Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 NO SHOT. I'd like to see Gardner beat out Cabrera, but he's not better, he played awfully last year. Don't be silly, Gardner has a very good shot at beating out Cabrera (Who was awful last year, and his been getting worse and worse, not better) Gardner and his speed on the bases IMO are far more valuable than anything Melky does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morrissey Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Remember how excited you got when Melky hit 8 early dingers last year? LOL, and now I'm giving Melky grief for making me look bad! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicious89x Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 It's likely Gardner didn't try to hit a home run. I hit several home runs from little league to my senior year in high school, but I never tried to hit one. If you get a good swing on a ball, there's nothing you can do, LOL Definitely, I guess my point is I'll get excited when I hear him getting on base a lot and working counts. HR = Meh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PS17 Posted February 25, 2009 Author Share Posted February 25, 2009 Don't be silly, Gardner has a very good shot at beating out Cabrera (Who was awful last year, and his been getting worse and worse, not better) Gardner and his speed on the bases IMO are far more valuable than anything Melky does. Haha I'm being silly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morrissey Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Definitely, I guess my point is I'll get excited when I hear him getting on base a lot and working counts. HR = Meh At times I felt Garnder was taking too many pitches last year. He was getting behind in the count way to much. Pitchers where throwing him strikes early, knowing he's a patient hitter. If someone is giving you fastball right down the middle, then you might as well make him pay. You have to take advantage of those. If Gardner keeps doing that, than the pitcher will be more reluctant to throw him batting practice fastballs early in the count, and then Gardner can take advantage of his patience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PS17 Posted February 25, 2009 Author Share Posted February 25, 2009 Do you think that Gardner will be starting on Opening Day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morrissey Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Do you think that Gardner will be starting on Opening Day? Tough to say, If Gardner outplays Cabrera in Spring Training, then yes, and vice versa, but if it's debatable then I think they go with Cabrera because he has no more options left. Meaning if they don't use him as a bench player, than they have to DFA (Designate for Assignment) him, and any team can pick him up through waivers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PS17 Posted February 25, 2009 Author Share Posted February 25, 2009 Tough to say, If Gardner outplays Cabrera in Spring Training, then yes, and vice versa, but if it's debatable then I think they go with Cabrera because he has no more options left. Meaning if they don't use him as a bench player, than they have to DFA (Designate for Assignment) him, and any team can pick him up through waivers. Where will Swisher be? DHing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morrissey Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Where will Swisher be? DHing? Matsui is the DH. Swisher is probably platooning with Nady in RF, but will see some action in both RF and LF. Maybe some 1B (Give Texeira a day off) and some CF (Give Cabrera or Gardner a day off) He'll get his at bats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GimmeShelter Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 At times I felt Garnder was taking too many pitches last year. He was getting behind in the count way to much. Pitchers where throwing him strikes early, knowing he's a patient hitter. If someone is giving you fastball right down the middle, then you might as well make him pay. You have to take advantage of those. If Gardner keeps doing that, than the pitcher will be more reluctant to throw him batting practice fastballs early in the count, and then Gardner can take advantage of his patience. True. Though too small a sample size to assume a pattern he did hit .333 when swinging after 1-0 counts and .169 after falling behind 0-1. He looked overmatched much of the time but he may have bought too much into the school of getting on base any way possible and became a defensive hitter......we'll see what happens. IMO both he and Melky are on a short leash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guido Monzino Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 NO SHOT. I'd like to see Gardner beat out Cabrera, but he's not better, he played awfully last year. Don't be ridiculous. Gardner's time last year was very limited in the majors. I have every reason to believe that Gardner will be a better player than Cabrera this year and all future years. This kid can get work a pitcher, get on base, steal, bunt, etc. etc. and has good range in the outfield. Other than his arm, Melky brings little to the table. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guido Monzino Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 At times I felt Garnder was taking too many pitches last year. He was getting behind in the count way to much. Pitchers where throwing him strikes early, knowing he's a patient hitter. If someone is giving you fastball right down the middle, then you might as well make him pay. You have to take advantage of those. If Gardner keeps doing that, than the pitcher will be more reluctant to throw him batting practice fastballs early in the count, and then Gardner can take advantage of his patience. Good point TD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guido Monzino Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 btw, I hope everyone else is enjoying the delicious taste of this thread as much as I am. I mean when an ARod thread quickly becomes a Brett Gardner-Melky Cabrera thread, that's something special. It really is. Tasty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicious89x Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 At times I felt Garnder was taking too many pitches last year. He was getting behind in the count way to much. Pitchers where throwing him strikes early, knowing he's a patient hitter. If someone is giving you fastball right down the middle, then you might as well make him pay. You have to take advantage of those. If Gardner keeps doing that, than the pitcher will be more reluctant to throw him batting practice fastballs early in the count, and then Gardner can take advantage of his patience. Dude, abso-****ing-lutely. I used to rip my damn HAIR out watching him at the plate. Mainly because he took SO many pitches. I understand patience, some people thrive off of that. But he did it to a fault last year. I'd rather see him work the count kinda like Johnny is famous for, just keep fouling balls off if you don't like it, hack at it. Trust me, I'm a Gardner supporter. I want nothing more then him to be a guy who is a TERROR on the basepaths. It was just infuriating at points with him last year, and then Melky who swings at the ugliest pitches ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbro22 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Yeah that'll never happen again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Lets all now bow down to A-Rod for homering in a meaningles first exhibition game of the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PS17 Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 Lets all now bow down to A-Rod for homering in a meaningles first exhibition game of the season. It's not meaningless. It's a good omen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Lets all now bow down to A-Rod for homering in a meaningles first exhibition game of the season. Don't hate, Frank. treat Arod like you want to be treated-with respect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
124 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Good for A-Choke. How'd the real Yankees (my baseball team -- the other 24 players) do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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