[By Larry Goldfarb]

After getting down two strikes, Mark Teixeira was able to work a walk.  The Yankees were down 4-2 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and Alex Rodriguez, ARod, was coming to bat.  He of 647 homeruns, $275 million 10 year contract, 3 MVPs, countless all-star appearances and a lightning rod for everything good and bad in NY.    ARod would represent the tying run against Jose Valverde, the Detroit closer, a pitcher who just gave up a two run homer and has been generally lackluster in his last few outings.

But wait, ARod is being pinch hit for.  He takes his seat on the bench, jokes with his team mates, and runs up the steps of the dugout when Raul Ibanez  hits a two run homer into the right field stands tying the game. After the game, ARod is chastised and criticized for being passive, for being too supportive -- even for leaving the clubhouse early before the press had extracted their pound of flesh.

He plays the next game and strikes out with the bases loaded on three pitches.  For Game three, he is sat down for a guy who is hitless in 14 at bats in the post season.  In fact, his replacement, Eric Chavez makes and error leading to Detroit’s first run.  ARod is being run out of town.  He is done, he is through. 

Not quite.  ARod broke his wrist during the season and it probably isn’t right.  He is a prideful man who has been successful his entire career.  Upset, yes.  Giving up, no way.  Remember Derek Jeter and his 200 hit season this year.  My prediction, ARod will come back with fortitude and confidence and make us forget this blip.  If he gave up easily, he would not have an acronym known far and wide.