[新聞] Rodriguez's red-hot start could prove most valuable

[xiemark (aisinjuro)]

Rodriguez's red-hot start could prove most valuable

BY MARK FEINSAND
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Posted Wednesday, April 11th 2007, 4:00 AM
A-Rod

Alex Rodriguez watching his two-run homer in the first inning of last
night's game.

MINNEAPOLIS - Alex Rodriguez's sizzling start must be a very encouraging
sign for the Yankees, who have seen firsthand that when A-Rod starts
strong out of the gate, he usually doesn't let up.

After belting a two-run home run in the first inning to start the
Yankees on their way to a 10-1 rout of the Twins, Rodriguez has six home
runs and 15 RBI in the first seven games, opening 2007 in historic
fashion.

"You don't want to miss any of his at-bats right now; that's how good he
is," Jorge Posada said. "He's locked in and doing a lot of things well.
It's fun to see."

"He's up there and it doesn't look like he's overplaying his hand," Joe
Torre said. "He's taking what comes as opposed to trying to create
what's going to happen. He's daring people to get him out, which is a
great attitude to have."

During the previous four seasons, Rodriguez has posted huge April
numbers twice; in 2003, he batted .363 with eight homers and 22 RBI in
the season's first month, while in 2005, he hit .304 with nine homers
and 27 RBI. What did those seasons have in common for A-Rod? American
League MVP awards.

"You want to get off to a good start, because if you find yourself
0-for-5 or 0-for-6, you start pressing a bit and going outside your
zone," Torre said. "As far as I'm concerned, he's locked in right now.
It doesn't look like he really cares what they're throwing him."

In 2004 and '06, Rodriguez stumbled to rough starts, hitting .268 and
.267, respectively. He hit four homers with seven RBI in '04, and last
year he managed five home runs and 16 RBI in April. His final home run
totals (36, 35) and batting average (.290, .286) were among the lowest
of his career in those two seasons. "All I can tell you is it's always
nice to get off to a good start," GM Brian Cashman said. "It's a long
season though. Alex is a consistent performer year in and year out,
regardless of his start. His numbers are going to be there at the end."

Rodriguez isn't saying much about his scorching start, choosing instead
to let his bat do his talking for him.

"I'm seeing the ball and not trying to do too much," Rodriguez said.
"That's what (hitting coach) Kevin (Long) and I have been working on
down in the cage."

Rodriguez can opt out of his record $252 million contract after this
season, making this a contract year of sorts for the third baseman. If
he posts monster numbers and captures his third AL MVP award, A-Rod
could have another enormous payday.

Whatever the motivation behind Rodriguez's hot start, the Yankees are
benefiting from it on the scoreboard. "Alex is in a good place right
now," Torre said. "Whatever reasoning that has him where he is, that's
fine as far as I'm concerned."

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