Now he has been embraced as a model of redemption by Yankees fans and on Thursday was announced as a finalist for the Comeback Player of the Year award given by the Players Association.
Advertisement
A-Rod was part of the 2009 World Series team, so he knows the challenge that stands ahead of the Yankees.
Asked if he’s concerned about his team’s health heading to a possible wild-card playoff game, Girardi said, “You hope a day off helps them”.
“This year was different”, said Rodriguez, champagne pouring down his face.
“We’ll never forget what Derek did for this organization”, manager Joe Girardi said, “but you have to move on”. “His value has been as big as any pitcher that we have in that room”. “I think any team that gets in is capable of winning a championship”.
The New York Yankees reaching another post-season may seem like one of the most monotonous of baseball storylines, but not in 2015 and not with 40-year-old Alex Rodriguez leading the way.
“There are a lot of great things that happen in Yankees history”, Girardi said.
Ending a rare two-year absence from the postseason, New York clinched a wild-card berth with three games to spare – it was also the franchise’s the franchise’s 10,000th regular-season win. Beltran hit his 19th homer, an opposite-field drive over the right-field scoreboard, No. 9 hitter Brendan Ryan singled in a run for his first RBI since July 31.
Masahiro Tanaka is lined up to pitch the wild-card game, with the victor advancing to a Division Series against East champion Toronto or Central victor Kansas City.
Advertisement
“I do take a minute to feel extremely grateful for the opportunity that I’ve gotten”, Rodriguez said. “I felt he was a little bit rusty yesterday, but he’ll be able to throw a normal bullpen here in a few days”.
