I think it was Yogi Berra, or was it Arthur Schopenhauer, who said: If people don't want to not stop talking about someone, you can't not stop them.
And who is it that people are buzzing about now all through the baseball world? It's A-Rod: The King of the Curtain Call. The Sultan of the Standing Ovation. The Walk-Off Man in his Walk Year, setting Bronx ablaze with his exploits.
As amazing as A-Rod's 3-run homer that gave the Yanks a 3-game sweep over the Indians was, even more incredible is the pure enjoyment A-Rod is having out there. For the first time in pinstripes, he looks like he doesn't care what people say or think about him. He's just having fun.
The best player in baseball is on pace for a monster year. If he were to continue playing at this level, he'd finish the year at 116 HRs, 301 RBIs, with a .965 slugging percentage. Obviously, that won't happen. (The sad thing is that even if he did have that kind of year, there would be some misguided fans and despotic beat writers who'd still criticize the guy, but that is another topic.)
Alex's 10 homers this month are only four short of the record for April set by Albert Pujols last year. He looks like a cinch to tie or break it.
Asked about his sizzling start, A-Rod told reporters, "It's so exciting to help the team win. That's what's important. I just try to slow the moment down and take my chances."
Slowing the moment down…right now A-Rod must feel like he's playing slow pitch softball.
A-Rod continues: "You just have to enjoy the game. Be in the moment."
This new policy of A-Rod's to not overanalyze the game is paying fantastic dividends. And he's just staring out…Every at bat this season may become "Can't Miss Theatre" as the Yanks vie with Toronto and Boston.
Given A-Rod's torrid bat, I'm sure everyone in Cleveland is blasting Eric Wedge for pitching to A-Rod with runners on 2 and 3rd and two out. How in the world do you not walk him? Granted, Giambi has good numbers against Borowski, (3-5, 2 HRs) but here is where Managers often misread stats. It's more important to gage who is hot now (A-Rod) than what a guy may have done in the past with a small sample size (Giambi).
But thanks, Eric, for allowing A-Rod to do what he does best: mash the baseball.
One of the more absurd comments I heard this week concerning A-Rod came from one of the Red Sox-fan frat boys on ESPN. The clown actually asked if A-Rod may be in line for comeback player of the year!
In 2006, A-Rod hit 35/121/.290/.392/.523. Are you kidding me? The fact that last year was a "down year" for A-Rod is indicative of how good he really is. How many players were able to put up those numbers? (Much less what Alex is bound to do this year).
As the Yanks travel to Boston for a three-game series with last year's third place team, expect certain Boston hurlers to go head hunting. They will back Alex off the plate, and it's going to be interesting to see how he, and the Yankees pitchers, respond in that den of wickedness.
With Wang, Mussina and Matsui due back soon, and a revamped bullpen, the Yanks will go on a roll and by June they will be walking away from the pack. There is enough firepower on the team to overcome questionable defense. And as long as Torre doesn't do what he does best- burn out relievers-it'll be a great summer in the Bronx.
Enjoy it Yankee fans, and enjoy A-Rod, it's quite possibly his last year in pinstripes.
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