Alex Rodriguez Isn’t New York’s Best Third Baseman, David Wright Is
March 29, 2011 · Harold Friend · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Gwen awakened from a fitful sleep. She was bothered and knew that she would be bothered for a long time. Her idol, her favorite player, the man they referred to as A-Rod, was no longer the best third baseman in New York.
Her mind was immediately filled with A-Rod’s 2010 statistics. He was coming off the worst year of his career.
A-Rod’s .270 batting average was the lowest he ever produced. For the second consecutive season, he hit only 30 home runs, which would be good for most players, but not for the greatest third baseman in New York Yankees history.
It didn’t end there.
Gwen needed a drink of water. As she opened the refrigerator to pour the water into a glass, the image of A-Rod striking out almost 100 times filled her mind.
Yes, she said silently, he used to have more than 100 strike outs all the time, but in those days, he always had many more plate appearances and hit many more home runs.
Alex Rodriguez‘ .341 on base average was the lowest of his career. The same was true for his .506 slugging average. The “icing on the cake” was that he stole only 4 bases.
She wouldn’t fool herself. Gwen knew that A-Rod had played with a bad hip in 2010, but she refused to use that as an excuse. She remembered reading how Mickey Mantle played his entire career with two bad knees, yet he is thought of today as an even greater player than A-Rod.
It really started to hurt when Gwen thought of David Wright, who played third base for New York’s most beloved team, the New York Mets.
Of course, A-Rod will finish with a better career than Wright, but David is only 28 years old, while Alex is an ancient 35. Few players not named Barry Bonds have their best seasons after the age of 35.
Wright is coming off a year in which he hit .283 with a .354 on base average, 29 home runs and 19 steals. He slugged .503 with 103 RBIs.
Gwen took some solace in the fact that A-Rod hit one more home run and drove in 22 more runs, but she knew that the Yankees were a better offensive team than the Mets. She shuddered to think how many runs Wright would have driven in if he and A-Rod had switched places.
The fact that Wright struck out 161 times meant nothing because the “experts” have concluded that a strikeout is merely another out. The image of a runner on third and one out filled Gwen’s mind, but she quickly dismissed it. After all, what does an average fan know compared to the “experts?”
Admittedly, it was close, but A-Rod is well past his peak while Wright is just reaching his. This upcoming season could be the one in which Wright approaches A-Rod’s best numbers, except for home runs.
Gwen cringed. What a horrible thought, but she knew it was possible. She was also wary about the Yankees hold on New York.
The Mets’ could be a very underrated team. The Philadelphia Phillies won’t have second baseman Chase Utley until at least the All-Star break, if even then. Inconsistent closer Brad Lidge has arm problems, and Jason Werth is gone.
Meanwhile, thought Gwen, the Boston Red Sox have added Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. The Yankees would be facing a great challenge.
Anything better than fourth place would be considered a successful season for the Mets. The Yankees had to win the World Series.
As she slowly dressed for her job as assistant to New York Mets’ Public Relations head Jay Horowitz, a big smile came across her face. A-Rod was no longer New York’s best third baseman.
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