After furiously fighting his way back onto the field May 8 -- from a hip injury some thought would keep him out until June -- Alex Rodriguez recently appeared to be tiring. At least, that's what some of his New York Yankees bosses thought. In his last 10 games, the polarizing slugger we call A-Rod was just 3-for-34. We learned Friday that he'd get the next two days off before re-entering the lineup Sunday. Saturday, Jon Heyman of SI.com reported that sitting Rodriguez down was not only requested by the front office, but ordered. Apparently there was a conference call where Brian Cashman -- accompanied by Hal Steinbrenner -- informed his star third baseman that he would be on the bench for Friday and Saturday's games in Florida
(Update: A-Rod did wind up playing in Saturday's game as a pinch-hitter.)
Rodriguez, according to Heyman, did admit that was really worn down after encountering a full workload when he returned (probably too soon) from the hip injury. He was told that he was hurting the team, and he reportedly accepted the decision.
Initially, some reports from the Miami area painted the picture that Rodriguez demanded he receive some rest, with Joe Girardi still trying to insert him into the lineup and an alleged argument ensuing.
Heyman disputes those reports. Instead, he says, Rodriguez was going to keep playing through the immense fatigue issues because his job is to play baseball. No word on whether or not he feels like being the highest-paid player in baseball gives him an extra feeling of accountability to his team, but it's entirely possible. We all know how much A-Rod wants everyone to view him in a positive light.
Regardless of the circumstances, A-Rod will return to the lineup Sunday after two days of rest. We'll see if it helps, but he needs to get it going somehow. He has too much talent to be hitting only .212 in 38 games -- especially in that ballpark with that lineup around him.
Latest Alex Rodriguez
Florida Marlins Hanley Ramirez (L), taps New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez on the back after a force out in a double play at second base during eighth inning in MLB interleague baseball action in Miami, Florida June 20, 2009. Rodriguez returned to the lineup as a pinch hitter with a walk in his first at-bat. REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)
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New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez returns to the dugout after being forced out in a double play at second base during eighth inning against the Florida Marlins in MLB interleague baseball action in Miami, Florida June 20, 2009. Rodriguez returned to the lineup as a pinch hitter with a walk in his first at-bat. REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)
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New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez runs off the field before a baseball game against the Florida Marlins at Land Shark Stadium in Miami on Saturday, June 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
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New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, right, celebrates with Hideki Matsui of Japan, left, after the Yankees defeated the Florida Marlins 5-1 in a baseball game Friday, June 19, 2009 in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
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New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez eats sunflower seeds as he watches from the dugout during the fifth inning of their MLB interleague baseball game against the Florida Marlins in Miami, Florida June 19, 2009. Rodriguez is expected to sit out 2-games because of fatigue. REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)
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New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez watches from the dugout during the fifth inning fo their MLB interleague baseball game against the Florida Marlins in Miami, Florida June 19, 2009. Rodriguez is expected to sit out 2-games because of fatigue. REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)
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New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez watches from the dugout during fifth inning against the Florida Marlins during their MLB interleague baseball game in Miami, Florida June 19, 2009. Rodriguez is expected to sit out 2-games because of fatigue. REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)
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New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez chats with a teammate in the dugout during the bottom of the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Florida Marlins Friday, June 19, 2009 in Miami. Following a tumultuous month at the plate, the slumping third baseman was benched Friday for two games by the Yankees for what he and the team called "fatigue." (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
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New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez looks on from the dugout in the bottom of the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Florida Marlins Friday, June 19, 2009 in Miami. Following a tumultuous month at the plate, the slumping third baseman was benched Friday for two games by the Yankees for what he and the team called "fatigue." (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
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New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez watches from the dugout during the fifth inning of their MLB interleague baseball game against the Florida Marlins in Miami, Florida June 19, 2009. Rodriguez is expected to sit out 2-games because of fatigue. REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
6-20-2009 @ 4:26PM
Ronald said...
Sure looked like a different Yankee team last night.A 25 million dollar a year player getting benched.Yankees will never win a thing with that albatross around their necks.POS
Reply
6-21-2009 @ 11:58AM
barbraswede said...
I have been a yankee fan since 1949 Ive seen a lot since I was a kid, gone to many a game in the bronx and then in marland in the sixties. I used to get the baseball package from comcast up until last year. The only albatross around the yankees is the manager he sucks He doesnt know how to manage the bullpen his players get rid of him and the yankees will do great.
6-20-2009 @ 4:49PM
rghton5 said...
The nexy time you see A-Roid he will be the "juiced up " slugger of old. All he needs is a booster butt shot from Cuz.
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6-20-2009 @ 5:05PM
jobajava said...
it is one thing for everyday readers to have a biased opinion, but for a journalist to express his is very sad..i always learned that news should be reported in a non-judgmental point of view..either way, A-Rod absolutely could be tired. I dont think anyone should fault him for taking a rest. He is doing good given what he has been thru (not a day off since returning to the lineup).
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6-20-2009 @ 8:45PM
Matt Snyder said...
Yeah, editorial columns are such a new concept!
6-20-2009 @ 11:02PM
wakko66 said...
First off, Jeter most certainly DOES have days off, everyone does. Second, I find it amusing that some unknown writer seems to think he knows more than the Yankee announcers...if Mr. TwoFace himself, Michael Kay, thought he was benched he would have been the first to say it. Third, Alex is suffering from "spring training slump" - late because of his surgery. He is arguably the best player in baseball. And if you morons who wont give up the "juice" take a look around, MLB gave tacit approval to its use until the got called on it. If the HOF doesn't look past that period of idiocy, they may as well close the doors for the next decade at least.
6-21-2009 @ 5:56AM
gonzo1 said...
funny thing ,i say the very same thing about journalists and the current administration in washington dc .
6-22-2009 @ 2:49PM
mikerat42 said...
The 3rd baseman across the river has missed only 1 game (day-off from mgr.) and he doesn't need a rest-- As a matter of fact, he's leading the league in hitting...
A-Fraud is just that..A prima donna wussy. He should stop posing and hit more than his weight..
6-20-2009 @ 5:56PM
James said...
I don't have any sympathy for a know steroid user who also happens to be the highest paid player in the game. How is it that Jeter is out there every game but A-Roid needs the rest. He just had plenty of rest. Need a little juice A-Roid? They'll fix you up just fine during your 2 days off.
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6-20-2009 @ 7:05PM
joejm65 said...
Jeter's not out there every game. He gets days off too...
6-20-2009 @ 7:01PM
dewit202 said...
A-Roid needing 2 days for a drug run. Will return juiced and ready to hit it out of the launching pad. What fools the fans who believe in his " natural born talent" - he admitterd to using in WA and word is he even used in HS. Creep / Cheater
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6-20-2009 @ 7:31PM
Georgie said...
Gasp! Could it possibly be that without steroids the vastly overpaid and over hyped "star" is not really that good?
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6-20-2009 @ 9:42PM
bladebikerman said...
Gee how unusual, He most definetly is an over paid juicer. He would not be what people think he is without the juice. He is probably just now getting off the private plane from Mexico where he got rejuiced. I guess no one in New York has figured it out yet, that money does not buy a championship. So all you YUCKY fans can go "boo hoo" somewhere else because we do not want to hear your whinning because we are speaking the truth !!!! And you know it.
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6-20-2009 @ 9:56PM
mercuriojoe said...
he is a waste of talent
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6-20-2009 @ 10:09PM
Paul E. McCauley said...
I am a Yankee fan and I think Jeter should be pinch hit for when there is a runner on first and less than two outs......a double play grounder is no doubt coming up if he is left in to hit . The Yankees as a team are terrible at getting runners in from third with less than two outs.
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6-21-2009 @ 12:31AM
danno said...
rest...he just had almost 4 months of sitting on his ass..how much rest does this billionair need..can him..sooner the better..
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6-21-2009 @ 12:46AM
bobby said...
im not a fan of arod or the yankees but one thing is for sure so what he used steriods....so he took them its not like anyone of u giving the chance wouldnt do it............................. the only reason why you pity people are complaining is because ur not in his shoes getting paid all that cash
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6-21-2009 @ 12:49AM
tonytiger18 said...
Matt Snyder, is he from Boston?
The Yankees are always under a magnifying glass, every move is disected, questioned and criticized by the press and always negatively.
Why is it that Mike Lowell is RESTING for two days since he is so banged up, to quote tobacoo chewing Francona, and no comments made from the press?
Why is it that Manny gets a free ride from the Boston press? I guess he was clean as a RED SOX, but now dirty as a Dodger. How come no other player in RED SOX history, except for that traitor Clemens, was never suspected or named as dirty ?
There is dubous occurences in sports today, where it is in vogue to knock the Yankees at every corner; but, fashionable to praise the SOX. Some bad journalism and reporting is evident. Why not put all teams under the same criteria.Why not hold all these overpaid players to the same standards?
I am not an Arod fan; I think the Yankees would have been better without him. But,He has been ridiculed, put under a microscope, harrassed at every turn, given all kinds of abuse and guys that did worse --nothing!
Why not do regular testing?
Why give any violators a free pass?
I am certain that every team has had a fair share of dirty players, including the Sox.
However, the focus was never on them only other teams, specifically -- The Yankees.
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6-21-2009 @ 12:46PM
tonyd said...
Whew! TONYTIGER does go on and on spewing his Red Sox hate. A little obsessed with Boston Tonytiger? He turns every story no matter what team back onto the Sox. Understandable 8 and 0 for his Yankees against the Sox, and NY about to be passed up by the Jays LOL. And A-Roid? Hard to find a sleazier all round cheater in all of MLB including Tony's worst nightmare team The Boston Red Sox.
6-21-2009 @ 12:50AM
bobby said...
oh and i forgot GOOOOOOOO METS I KNOW WE SCK BUT WHO CARES
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