A-Rod unconscious, plus, Leyland praises Vlad
By The Heckler
Baseball Big Mouth
baseball blog
Some random MLB baseball thoughts, heckles, hijinx and hilarity as we all slog our way through another Tuesday . . .
NOT BAD FOR A BRONX BUM - Despite the fact the majority of New York Yankees fans would sooner see him run out of town on a rail (The Heckler can’t help but think of that great scene in O Brother, Where Are Thou? whenever I hear that expression, but I digress) it looks as though Alex Rodriguez is set to have his biggest year yet. Coincidence that it is his contract year again? Who cares. Everyone needs motivation – A-Rod isn’t any different. He came into camp in reportedly the best shape of his life and, thus far, has been hitting the pill around the park like it stole somethin’ (thanks, Rod Allen). Last night, his 14th homerun in the month of April – in merely his 18th game – set a new MLB record. That’s insane. Think about that. This ain’t Little League, folks. This isn’t Single A. It’s the Bigs. Granted, The Heckler will go on record right now stating he probably won’t come close to hitting the 126 for which he is currently on pace (I know, I know – it’s a stretch. But I’m willing to risk it) but is Barry Bonds 73 homeruns in 2001 that far out of reach? I don’t think so. Think about it. Can A-Rod hit 60 more homeruns in 144 games? Seems entirely possible. And if he does – now what’s he worth? Oh yeah, I forgot. Yankee fan wouldn’t rate him worth a plugged nickel, not until he wins a ring with the team. Of course, by that logic, such stalwarts as Ed Figueroa, Jay Johnstone and Jim Spencer would no doubt rate higher – right? Whatever. Yankee fans are beyond the equivalent of spoiled brats. They veer into outright dementia when their team goes a few years without another ring. Pay no attention to the fact that the bane of that team’s lack of postseaon success as of late has been pitching. This 31-year-old phenom can play for my team – any day. He’s a machine. A machine that, no doubt, will add a ring or two to his trophy case before its all said and done. That, and probably a homerun record. And an RBI record. Maybe a hits record. With an outside chance of any and all other hitting records currently in the books. Only in New York could such a player be so despised.
IN FURTHER PRAISE OF VLAD - Not that we ever need affirmation here at BaseballBigMouth.com (we know we’re good enough, smart-enough, and doggone it - people like us) but, nonetheless, it was interesting to hear Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland’s heapin’ helpin’ of praise for Los Angleles Angels’ outfielder Vladimir Guerrerro. He told MLB.com, “There’s no sense in having a report on him. You might as well throw that right out the window. You have as good a chance to get him out if you throw it right down the middle as if you bounce it in the dirt. He’s got just as good a chance to hit a home run if you bounce it or throw it down the middle. I’ve never seen anything like it. Changing speeds means nothing to him. You don’t see him get fooled. He can still be out on his front foot and still hit it out of the ballpark. Most guys do that and they hit it [weakly] somewhere. He can look like he’s totally fooled and hit a rocket somewhere.”
HOLD THE GAGNE COMEBACK - Uh-oh. Well, that didn’t last too long, did it? In only his second appearance for the Texas Rangers, former all-world closer Eric Gagne experienced pain in his hip, was removed from the game, and placed on the 15-day DL. Not a good sign. This hardly bodes well for his comeback, and must be discouraging for not only Gagne, but the Rangers as well. Just when they think they get a little lucky in the pitching department, this happens. Rumor has it the club will now immediately look to shore up their pen — by acquiring another homerun hitter.