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A-Rod Sheds Choke-Artist Rep

Onetime postseason washout comes through in, yes, the clutch

By M. Morris,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 2, 2009 1:42 PM CST

(Newser) – For years, the rap on Alex Rodriguez has been that despite his gaudy regular-season stats, he folded in the playoffs. His October performance nearly dispelled that rep, and his ninth-inning homer in last night's World Series Game 4 took him to a new level, Will Leitch writes: "He has his Legend Comes Up Huge In October (or November, anyway) Highlight."

True, nothing is decided. The Yankees hold a 3-1 edge going into tonight's Game 5, but their tattered pitching rotation could still open the door for the Phillies to charge into "a teeth-clenching Game 7" in their attempt to sew up back-to-back titles. Nevertheless, "no one will ever, ever accuse Alex Rodriguez of not being clutch again," Leitch writes for New York. "It's almost a shame: What will we all talk about now?"

Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez celebrate after the Yankees' 7-4 wn over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4 of the World Series Nov. 1, 2009, in Philadelphia.
Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez celebrate after the Yankees' 7-4 wn over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4 of the World Series Nov. 1, 2009, in Philadelphia.   (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez laughs before Game 4 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, in Philadelphia.
New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez laughs before Game 4 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, in Philadelphia.   (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
Forderon
Nov 2, 2009 11:04 AM CST
For those who don't want to click the link. Here's what it says: A-Rod has had better stats through his first 42 playoff games (article written on Oct 12) than "Mr. October" Reggie Jackson's first 42.
Forderon
Nov 2, 2009 11:02 AM CST
You're right Christian. This idea of "clutchness" is overrated anyway. We're talking about extremely small sample sizes from which people make conclusions about clutch hitting, the existence of which is debatable in the first place. To illustrate why small sample sizes are useless, see this: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/...
Unaffiliated
Nov 2, 2009 10:24 AM CST
The anonymous hit-and-run down vote sucks, doesn't it, Christian? I'm no fan of that behavior, either.

 
Philadelphia Phillies • New York Yankees • Alex Rodriguez • World Series • baseball playoffs • baseball • 2009 World Series

 
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