Schadenfreude 150 (A Continuing Series)

Ken Davidoff, Post:

If A-Rod isn't going to set the all-time record for home runs, then he might just establish the unofficial mark for required maintenance. The Yankees are constantly working overtime to manage the mistake — and yes, while not a complete bust, it's an obvious mistake — they made five years ago.

The Post confirmed a report by CBSSports.com in which general manager Brian Cashman acknowledged that manager Joe Girardi, in the middle of a playoff game earlier this month, called up to request that Yankee Stadium public-address announcer Paul Olden introduce a pinch-hitter, but not the player being pinch-hit for: A-Rod. When Raul Ibanez pinch-hit for Rodriguez in Game 3 of the American League Division Series — before hitting a game-tying home run in the ninth inning — Rodriguez's name was not mentioned, as is traditionally done when a pinch-hitter comes to the plate. ...

This maneuver says as much about Girardi as it does about A-Rod. ...

Five years and $161 million in, five years and $114 million to go on this albatross, with $6 million bonus payments coming if A-Rod hits enough homers to surpass the big names on the all-time chart. His durability is no longer an asset, his range on defense has faded and we will see whether he can climb back to respectability against right-handers. And just when you think he has grown up some, he produces tabloid gold like his in-game romancing.

Anthony McCarron, Daily News:

It might not have seemed like it, but Joe Girardi was concerned about Alex Rodriguez's fragile ego during the Yankee slugger’s latest playoff flop.

After deciding for the first time to pinch-hit for A-Rod in Game 3 against the Orioles, Joe Girardi called the press box to ask the PA announcer to only announce that Raul Ibanez was pinch-hitting, not that he was subbing for Rodriguez, the proud, but struggling former superstar.

The move was perhaps designed to save Rodriguez at least one round of embarrassment. It's custom that the player who is pinch-hitting is announced, as well as the player he is replacing. ...


Rodriguez had a dreadful postseason, going 3-for-25 (.120). Against right-handed pitching, he was 0-for-18 with all 12 of his postseason strikeouts. He did not start the deciding Game 5 of the division series or Games 3 and 4 of the ALCS, though he got two at-bats in Game 4. He was pinch-hit for three times in the playoffs.