Yankee old timers urge A-Rod to step up
NEW YORK: New York Yankee veterans agreed on Tuesday that the Bronx Bombers needed Alex Rodriguez to rise to the occasion in the postseason to help them return to World Series glory in 2007.
Alex Rodriguez |
The 1977 Yankees were honoured on the 30th anniversary of their World Series triumph along with current Yankees catcher Jorge Posada and Detroit Tigers' Sean Casey at the 18th annual B.A.T. (Baseball Assistance Team) dinner benefiting financially strapped former players.
After a rousing run of four World Series crowns in five years from 1996, the Yankees have since failed to deliver a title, trying the patience of owner George Steinbrenner and many fans.
"They got an All-Star at every position. They should do well," said Graig Nettles, a power-hitter and dazzling third baseman for the Yanks in the 1970s when they reached three World Series in a row and won back-to-back titles in 1977-78.
Rodriguez, the man nicknamed A-Rod who now patrols third base at Yankee Stadium, has carried the burden of high expectations in New York where boisterous boo-birds feel he has not lived up to his $25 million yearly salary as baseball's highest-paid player.
"A-Rod, he needs to get over that hump. He needs to have a good postseason," Nettles said.
"He puts up good numbers during the season. If he just continues that during the postseason I think the fans in New York would embrace him and love him."
Nettles' views were echoed by Gene Michael, a former Yankee player, coach, manager, scout and general manager, who is now a senior advisor to the team.
"He just needs to get over the hump," Michael said, before drawing a parallel with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who had a reputation for coming up short in the playoffs before leading his team to this year's Super Bowl.
"Manning needs to get over that hump. He won that big one the other day and now he needs to win one more."
Jim Leyritz, a hero of the 1996 Yankees World Series triumph over the Atlanta Braves, said theories about A-Rod suffering from lack of support in the clubhouse were unfounded.
"Hopefully the things with A-Rod last year will take care of themselves," he said.
Agencies
(China Daily 01/25/2007 page23)
