The fact is, the Yankees have done really well since Mr. Rod has been gone (23-11), much as they more than held their own when Derek Jeter was out (14-4) and how the bullpen actually improved when Joba Chamberlain and Rafael Soriano went missing. The offense is going to be better? Really? How much better?
Unless A-Rod, while recuperating from knee surgery, has become a legitimate #2 starting pitcher, his presence will be nice, but not world-changing. The Yankees will still make the postseason, much as they would have if he'd been out for the rest of the year. The question is what will happen in the games after September 28, and given Mr. Rod's history in the postseason, the answer is clearly: Who knows?
Sometimes, he'll be the driving force that puts the game out of reach. Others, he'll be a lox. He's been both, sometimes in the same year. So there's no predicting.
Rodriguez has always been something of an odd Yankee; fans don't really warm up to him the way they do to home-grown products like Jeter or Posada, or even imports like Tino Martinez, Paul O'Neill and Nick Swisher. He is admired, but not loved. His talent is indisputable, and so is his maddening personality and the sideshow that follows him wherever he goes.
He is closest in Yankee history to Reggie Jackson, another superstar who came when the Yankees were already good and made them better. Rodriguez loves the spotlight, like Reggie (even at Old Timer's Day, Reggie makes sure it's his picture in the paper the next day). He has a terrific sense of drama, like Reggie.
So far, he has delivered one championship, which is one more than most. But one fewer than Reggie, and four fewer than Jeter, Posada and Mo.
A-Rod will be back soon. You'll forgive me if I don't postpone my weekend plans just to see him.
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