First of all, the reason I posted that was to explain why Minnesota dropped him like a bad habit. So he found a home in front of the guy who I feel is the most dangerous hitter in baseball, Manny. He gets more pitches to hit, and as a result, his natural strength sends the ball into orbit. Second, I am really tiring of this "A-Rod only hits when the Yankees are up or down by X runs." It's off base, and flat out untrue. Just the other night, he hit one over the centerfield fence to put the Yankees up one, because Jeter was on first. I'll do the math there, the Yankees were losing by a run. Not clutch? It was the 8th inning. I've lost track at this point, but that was, IIRC, the 7th time since the All-Star break that he either touched home as the tying run, or drove it in. Still not clutch? Then stop listening to Steve Phillips. He has poisoned your mind.
I <3 Ortiz. :lol: He has to be one of the best clutch hitters in the history of the game. I can't remember a player who has been this clutch for so long. If he doesn't win the MVP this year they should revoke the writer's from voting for the award. Like Pedro in '99 should of won the MVP over Pudge.
Okay, see we are talking apples and oranges here. I don't think Ortiz is a BAD player now. He is incredibly dangerous at the plate. That is thanks in LARGE part to Manny hitting behind him. And I would still want Manny hitting in the 9th over Ortiz any day. That's my opinion. I fear Manny MUCH more than Ortiz, and don't get me wrong, I FEAR Ortiz. As far as Damon and A-Rod, of course they improve Jeter. That's the point of building your lineup. You capitalize on strengths. That's what Boston does with Manny/Ortiz. Honestly, if they had Varitek hitting in front of Ortiz, I would never want to play them. You put guys who are "right there" in front of guys who you know opposing pitchers don't want to face, and suddenly, they hit 20 more a year.
Well we can agree on that. There is no question in my mind that Ortiz, and Manny for that matter, are just naturally strong. Neither is built like a juicer. They just have so much torque in their swing, and a lot of upper body weight. When they make contact, the ball can't help but sail.
As much as I hate to admit it, this year, he does deserve the award. No single player has had the impact on his team's success as Ortiz. I agreed with last year's voting. Comparable numbers at the plate, and the fact that A-Rod had the defense pushed Alex over the top. This year, there is no one even close to Ortiz. Even if they don't win the division, it's not Ortiz's fault.
I was worried tonight when there were 2 on that they would have Loretta bunt them over, meaning a walk for Ortiz. When Ortiz comes up, I expect him to do something big, Manny is a crapshoot in the clutch. Not that he's not a great hitter, he just doesn't have the flare for the dramatic that Papi does.
ha.. i was just gonna say that. I am a big Yankee fan, and in all honesty i admire a player like Ortiz. Maybe because of the fact that hes been on my fantasy team 3 years straight :drunk: I think Ortiz is making a statement that you dont need to juice to produce. Love to have him in pinstripes :grin:
How do we know he hasn't used steroids? I have suspicions about alot of players(including Yankees and ortiz and manny among others). these guys uses stuff they can't detect and alot more players are using then we know of.
I also think Giambi is currently using and has since he miraculously rediscovered how to hit last year.
I'll tell you what - I can't disagree with you, and I won't be a hypocrite just because it's my team. I don't suspect Manny, because I think Manny is too much of a scatter-brain to maintain the regimen of performance enhancers that he'd need. I guess that's just more gut than anything else. I've ALWAYS suspected Johnny Damon. I think it's almost a certainty that Giambi is working with (at least) HGH these days. Ortiz has always had a big frame. Still, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if he were juicing, and I'll support that with his numbers-jump. In this age of baseball, I say, where-there's-smoke-there's-fire. Everyone's suspect. I'd also bet anything that amphetamines are standard fare for 90% of baseball, just to meet the grind of 162 games, 8-day road swings, and such. Hell, I take pickmeups when I've had a few straight-out days at the DMV, and I LIVE on coffee.
Minnesota canned Ortiz because he didn't fit into their small ball plans. It was mutual. He didn't enjoy playing there.
Actually, no we don't clown. There is no public information that anyone on the Yankees is, or has ever, used any form of performance enhancer. Does that mean they don't? No. We are all pretty positive Giambi has used, and is still using. But this is just another classic example of you trying to stick your clownish anti-Yankee attitude into another discussion. Don't you have anything else better to do?
