Soxy Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Pretty exclusive club... NY Yankees 12, Milwaukee 3 Preview - Box Score - Recap By ARNIE STAPLETON, AP Sports Writer June 9, 2005 Photo AP - Jun 8, 11:20 pm EDT More Photos MILWAUKEE (AP) -- It was just a matter of time before Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees snapped out of it -- at least for a day. A-Rod became the youngest member of the 400-homer club and a change in their routine got the Yankees back on the winning track with a 12-3 rout of the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night. ``It was a very special day for me, especially if you do it in a win that we needed most desperately,'' Rodriguez said after the Yankees won for just the second time in 11 games. Manager Joe Torre went to drastic measures to snap his slumping team out of its latest funk, canceling batting practice, juggling his lineup -- sitting Hideki Matsui for the first eight innings -- and even getting ejected for arguing. It worked. A team that had hit .195 overall and .140 with runners in scoring position while losing seven of their first eight games on a season-long 12-game road trip, collected 16 hits and scored its most runs in two weeks. Mike Mussina (6-4) was the beneficiary of the offensive breakthrough led by Rodriguez, who homered twice, went 4-for-4 and drove in four runs -- his first RBIs of the trip. Rodriguez's two-run shot off left-hander Chris Capuano in the first inning was his 399th, and his solo shot off left-hander Jorge De La Rosa in the eighth made the 29-year-old third baseman the 40th player in major league history to reach 400 homers. ``That's pretty incredible,'' Torre said. ``The shape he's in, the way he works, who knows where he's going.'' The crowd of 37,586 gave A-Rod a polite standing ovation as he circled the bases. ``It's a special number,'' Rodriguez said. ``I'm actually just excited to do it with this uniform on.'' New York batting practice pitcher Roman Rodriguez caught the historic homer in the Yankees' bullpen and acted like he was going to flip it into the stands before holding onto it with a sly smile. A-Rod posed for pictures with his bat and ball after the game. Mussina gave up three runs and six hits in six innings, including Carlos Lee's 15th homer. He walked one and struck out eight. ``I think we were just hoping for a nice win,'' Mussina said. ``It didn't have to be 12-3, but today we got some big hits. It's been a tough trip so far, but hopefully we can pull something out of this as we go to the last city of the four (St. Louis).'' Derek Jeter and rookie Robinson Cano also homered for the Yankees, who tagged Capuano (5-5) for seven runs, five earned, eight hits and three walks in four-plus innings, denying the Brewers a three-game sweep. ``You just know it's just a matter of time,'' Milwaukee manager Ned Yost said. ``You're hard-fetched to find a better lineup than that in all of baseball.'' Among the backups inserted into the Yankees lineup was Ruben Sierra, who collected a season-high three hits in his first start in left field this season. ``Any GM or manager would love to have that lineup,'' Brewers infielder Bill Hall said. ``Those guys can hit. It's still early in the season. They're not that far out yet. So, they've got nothing to worry about if they keep swinging the bats like that.'' The only damper for Torre was he wasn't around to relish it in its entirety because he was ejected along with first baseman Tino Martinez for arguing with first base umpire Larry Vanover in the fifth inning. ``Yeah, Tino and I watched together,'' Torre said. ``I blamed him for getting me thrown out.'' Martinez, starting at first base because Jason Giambi was a late scratch with back spasms, hit a ground-rule double to give New York a 4-2 lead. Martinez was replaced by Russ Johnson after getting ejected an inning later. Jeter's sixth homer, a solo shot, came off Julio Santana in the sixth. Cano's homer was a two-run shot off Wes Obermueller in the seventh, his fourth of the season and the first pinch-hit homer of his career. Matsui, who had a pinch-hit single in the ninth, hadn't missed a start since Sept. 26, 2003, when he wasn't in the starting lineup for either game of a doubleheader against Baltimore. He appeared in both of those games and has played in all 384 games since joining the Yankees in 2003. Including his career in Japan, he has played in 1,634 consecutive games. That would be third on the all-time list behind Cal Ripken Jr. and Lou Gehrig. ``We won the game, and I had a great base hit, too,'' Matsui said. ``I can't complain.'' Notes Torre said RHP Kevin Brown (sore left shoulder) would miss his turn Friday and RHP Chien-Ming Wang would take his spot in the rotation for one game. ... Ken Griffey, Jr. was 30 when he hit his 400th homer. ... A-Rod has four multihomer games this year and 40 in his career. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shagar69 Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 he will hit at least 800 for his career Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxy Posted June 9, 2005 Author Share Posted June 9, 2005 ESPN article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamTell Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Congrats to A-Rod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev211 Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 i heard he was on pace to hit number 756 in june 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palehosefan Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 he will hit at least 800 for his career Don't be so sure, remember Griffey was supposed the smash the record also. Injuries happen, especially when these guys get into their 30's, and especially when you are as big of a boy as A-Rod. But still thats ridiculous to have 400 homers before your 30th birthday. Thats 40 homers a year from the time you are 19 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev211 Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Jun 9, 2005 -> 12:29 AM) Don't be so sure, remember Griffey was supposed the smash the record also. Injuries happen, especially when these guys get into their 30's, and especially when you are as big of a boy as A-Rod. But still thats ridiculous to have 400 homers before your 30th birthday. Thats 40 homers a year from the time you are 19 years old. if i were griffey i would demand a trade to a Al team where i could play DH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palehosefan Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Yeah but unfortunately Griffey doesn't have alot of leverage to demand things. Especially with the amount of money he has been paid while sitting on the bench injured for the last 4 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayitaintso Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Jun 8, 2005 -> 11:29 PM) Don't be so sure, remember Griffey was supposed the smash the record also. Injuries happen, especially when these guys get into their 30's, and especially when you are as big of a boy as A-Rod. But still thats ridiculous to have 400 homers before your 30th birthday. Thats 40 homers a year from the time you are 19 years old. I remember Griffey was like the greatest thing since sliced bread to happen to baseball. He was going to be Phenominal, but then injuries kept happening to him. I really felt bad for the guy because he just couldn't stay healthy, no matter how hard he tried. I hope Griffey can at least end his career with 575 HR's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChWRoCk2 Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 A-rod i give you your ticket to the hall of fame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RibbieRubarb Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 A-rod i give you your ticket to the hall of fame Here's a good question: If A-Rod were to have a career-ending injury this year...Would he go to the Hall?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChWRoCk2 Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 QUOTE(RibbieRubarb @ Jun 9, 2005 -> 11:01 AM) Here's a good question: If A-Rod were to have a career-ending injury this year...Would he go to the Hall?? thats a toughie, id say no Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yoda Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 QUOTE(sayitanitso @ Jun 9, 2005 -> 12:48 AM) I remember Griffey was like the greatest thing since sliced bread to happen to baseball. He was going to be Phenominal, but then injuries kept happening to him. I really felt bad for the guy because he just couldn't stay healthy, no matter how hard he tried. I hope Griffey can at least end his career with 575 HR's. Him and The Big Hurt were the greatest back in the 90's. And they still are, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxy Posted June 9, 2005 Author Share Posted June 9, 2005 QUOTE(RibbieRubarb @ Jun 9, 2005 -> 10:01 AM) Here's a good question: If A-Rod were to have a career-ending injury this year...Would he go to the Hall?? I'd say tentatively say yes, if it were something really horrible and tragic (like dying) then I would definitely say yes. But, even though I hate the Yankees and not to fond of A-Rod the Person, I like watching him play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buehrle>Wood Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 A bit of topic here, but does anyone else feel A-Rod lost a bit of his luster when he went to the Yanks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChWRoCk2 Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Jun 9, 2005 -> 11:57 AM) A bit of topic here, but does anyone else feel A-Rod lost a bit of his luster when he went to the Yanks? if anything id say it helped him, a lot of legends played for the yankees and if he puts up numbers that are respectable he himself would get praise, plus who wouldnt want to be in the hall of fame they have in the outfield Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 QUOTE(RibbieRubarb @ Jun 9, 2005 -> 09:01 AM) Here's a good question: If A-Rod were to have a career-ending injury this year...Would he go to the Hall?? If Fred McGriff can be called doubtful with something like 490 home runs, then Arod isn't a definite with 400. He's got an MVP or two, but I can't name a single stat of his that immediately puts him in. He has not won triple crowns, he doesn't have 3 MVP awards, he doesn't have 3000 hits (or even 2000), and he hasn't put together any stellar postseason performances (i.e. Jeter or Rivera). And it's not like the numbers he's put up are happening in a poor offensive era either. 1 or 2 more seasons like this one and I start saying he's a lock. Let him get to either 450 home runs, win another MVP, or have a spectacular postseason, and then there will be a reason to put him in first ballot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 QUOTE(chi-guy2 @ Jun 9, 2005 -> 10:20 AM) if anything id say it helped him, a lot of legends played for the yankees and if he puts up numbers that are respectable he himself would get praise, plus who wouldnt want to be in the hall of fame they have in the outfield I think it hurt him to start, but mainly because he had an incredibly off year last year. His home run total dropped by 11 from Texas the year before. His average dropped. And he fell apart just like the rest of the Yankees offense against Boston in games 4-7. This year he's turning it around. Leading the AL in HR, that 10 RBI/3 home run game, hitting his 400th in a Yankee uniform, those things are helping to rebuild him after last year. But last year a lot of the talk was "what happened to ARod, why's he so far down this year". This year, if he avoids a prolongued slump, he'll get whatever luster he lost back and more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Jun 9, 2005 -> 11:57 AM) A bit of topic here, but does anyone else feel A-Rod lost a bit of his luster when he went to the Yanks? He lost it when he got the $252 million contract Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palehosefan Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 I can't deny his unbelievable talent. I'm just not into his whole Rico Suave thing he has going. Not to mention he's a Yankee now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milkman delivers Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 On 1st and 10 earlier today, Woody Paige said that A-Rod has replaced Sammy Sosa as the king of the meaningless homer. I haven't seen as much of A-Rod as I have of Sosa, but I'd think much less of him if it were true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerhead johnson Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Jun 9, 2005 -> 08:51 PM) On 1st and 10 earlier today, Woody Paige said that A-Rod has replaced Sammy Sosa as the king of the meaningless homer. I haven't seen as much of A-Rod as I have of Sosa, but I'd think much less of him if it were true. I've never even heard of "1st And 10". It sounds like a half-assed show if this particular assessment is any indication. He has a .434 OBP, and it took him until April 16 to get going. He's on pace for close to 200 hits and 100 walks. You can criticize quite a few aspects of this Yankee team, but Rodriguez ain't one of them. I don't care what he's making. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHarris1 Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ Jun 9, 2005 -> 04:15 PM) I've never even heard of "1st And 10". It sounds like a half-assed show if this particular assessment is any indication. Skip Bayless - Woody Paige 'Nuff said Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerhead johnson Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Jun 9, 2005 -> 09:20 PM) Skip Bayless - Woody Paige 'Nuff said Skip Bayless? Holy s***. Talk about a complete numbskull. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjm676 Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 If he was still with the Mariners or maybe the Rangers I'd be happy for him. It's hard to root for anything associated with the Yankees. This was the best part of his career: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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