Alex Rodriguez: Hero or Bum

Alex Rodriguez, a loaded name. A name that conjures up images of 450 foot home runs, baserunning prowess, diving defensive snares of sure-fire doubles, however for some it also conjures up images of late inning strikeouts, boneheaded plays, and postseason failure. Alex Rodriguez, a loaded name. A name that conjures up images of 450 foot home runs, baserunning prowess, diving defensive snares of sure-fire doubles, however for some it also conjures up images of late inning strikeouts, boneheaded plays, and postseason failure. Perhaps both the most hated and most defended player in recent memory. The debate over him has reached a crescendo with the recent controversies, with Rodriguez being booed loudly in his home ballpark. So the question is: Alex Rodriguez, hero or failure? He should be a hero to Yankee fans, and those who vilify him are in the wrong.

Ever since Rodriguez signed the record-shattering 10 year 252 million dollar contract to play for the Texas Rangers, he has become a target of vitriol from baseball fans across the country. He was decried as a greedy and selfish mercenary. However if one looks at it rationally, no reasonable man could turn down an offer that would increase his net worth nearly twenty-fold. He had a chance to be one of the richest men in America and he signed on the dotted line. He would have been a fool not to. Rodriguez did what any reasonable man what have done in his situation.

It is often said that Rodriguez must be the best player in baseball to live up to his mega-contract. This overlooks the fact that Rodriguez is only the 4th highest paid player on his own team. That’s right; Derek Jeter, Mike Mussina, and Jason Giambi all receive more money from the Yankees than A-Rod does. Randy Johnson, currently struggling with an ERA north of 5, receives approximately the same amount. Gary Sheffield, Hideki Matsui, and Johnny Damon only make 3 million less. This argument might have been valid when he played for Texas, but he was clearly the best player in baseball his 3 years in Texas. While playing an excellent shortstop, he led the American League in home runs all 3 years in Texas, and posted an average OPS. of 1010, while also winning a MVP for a last place team. He was clearly worth every penny for the Rangers.

Now for his value for the Yankees. In 2004, despite a relatively pedestrian season by his lofty standards, he hit 36 homers, drove in 106 runs, and posted a 888 OPS. He led all AL 3rd baseman in homers, was second in RBIs, 3rd in OPS., and 2nd in steals. Were it not for a fluke season by Melvin Mora, he would have been clearly the best 3rd baseman in the AL. How did he compare to those on the Yankees who made more money then him? He beat Derek Jeter in every single statistical category except average. Jason Giambi was injured or ineffective the whole season. Mike Mussina had an injury-plagued up and down season. He was marginally overpaid at best, and was actually one of the better values on the Yankees. In 2005, he was the best player in the American League, leading the league in homers, OPS., slugging, runs, runs created, times on base, and games played, while placing second in OBP., BA., total bases, adjusted OPS., and AB/HR, and he placed 4th in RBIs. Clearly worth every penny as he put up the best season by a Yankee in decades and carried the Yankees to the playoffs. So it is clear over the course of his contract he has been worth his large contract.

Another point often made by Rodriguez’s detractors is that he fails to hit in the clutch or in the playoffs. He is a career 305/393/534 hitter in the playoffs, matching up well with those who are considered great postseason players. In fact, the 2005 ALDS was the only bad series of his career, and he still managed to get on base at a 38% clip. The notion of Rodriguez as a poor postseason player is one of the largest myths in all of sports. In 2005 Rodriguez put up a 938 OPS. in close and late situations, a 957 OPS. with runners on, a 941 OPS. with runners in scoring position and two outs, and 894 with runners in scoring position. Would someone who melts down in a big spot put up those numbers? In 2004 he posted OPS.’s of 797, 899, 764, and 784 respectively in these situations. Admittedly sub-standard for a player of his caliber, but again someone who could not get it done in a big spot would not be able to put up these numbers. Rodriguez is like 95% of batters in baseball, given a large enough sample, he will hit to his career norms in a given situation. The idea that A-Rod always chokes in big spots is a myth perpetrated by the media.

Now for his performance this year: Rodriguez has struggled for most this season, but despite this, he has been the second best 3rd baseman in the AL and not far behind Troy Glaus, and arguably among the top 5 3rd baseman in baseball. Rodriguez’s detractors have often said they would take lesser overall numbers if he would produce at more timely occasions. This year he has crushed the ball with runners in scoring position, posting a 1035 OPS. with RISP, and an astounding 1117 OPS. with RISP/2 out. However he has struggled in close and late situations putting up a paltry 336 OPS., however this is in a small sample. Also, when this stat was used in his defense last year it was often dismissed out of hand, so it would hypocritical to use it now. Rodriguez has yet to play to the best of his abilities this year, but he is still performing at a high level. He certainly does not deserve the vilification he is currently receiving in the media and from some fans. Further, basing a player’s worth on 60 games, and throwing out his career numbers is absurd. If that was how things worked, Jason Giambi would have been cut by the Yankees and would have never gotten a chance to turn it around.

My last point, for those who say they would rather have a different 3rd baseman, who? Rodriguez has consistently outperformed his peers at 3rd base. Over his career his 162 game averages have been: 44 home runs, 125 RBIs, and 127 runs scored. He has posted a career 962 OPS. To compare him to two of his contemporaries at the position: Eric Chavez’s 162 game averages are 30 home runs, 101 RBIs, and 94 runs scored. He has a career 846 OPS. Scott Rolen’s 162 game averages are 30 home runs, 111 RBIs, and 104 runs scored. He has a career 890 OPS. These two players are arguably the two best 3rd basemen besides Rodriguez, and their numbers pale in comparison to Rodriguez’s numbers. This is all that can be asked of a player: to be the best at his position. Rodriguez may or may not be the best player in baseball, but he is the best at his position far and away, and that’s what he’s paid for. He is irreplaceable, not one player in the game could replace his production at 3rd base, and thus he is worth every penny.

This is the truth about Alex Rodriguez. Do not let the media warp your perceptions of him. He has been a boon for the Yankees, and will continue to be so.