Comments on: Did Alex Rodriguez Tip Pitches While With The Rangers? A Look At The Numbers

By: YankeesVine » Blog Archive » Any truth to the A-Rod tips?

YankeesVine » Blog Archive » Any truth to the A-Rod tips? — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:16:07 +0000

[...] Inside Corner sports blog of D Magazine examined the issue and the research that Roberts did not. Evan Grant, a former [...]

By: morgan

morgan — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:15:12 +0000

@ Lisa:

I’m not a fan of Selena Roberts either, but why must you defend A-Rod, who is an admitted CHEATER of the game? He even lied about it, but once he fessed up everything’s okay since he wears the pinstripes?! He metaphorically spat in the face of the game of baseball, and rather than being punished, he gets to wear the same pinstripes that some of the greatest players ever wore, like Mantle and Ruth and Maris?! It’s so wrong and crooked that he can get away with all of that without any punsihment, let alone being defended by so many people. But I guess if he’s cheating in the advantage of your team it’s ok isn’t it? That’s some cheap support IMO.

Okay I’m done ranting.

By: morgan

morgan — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:06:48 +0000

@ Faded Glory:
The premise of the allegation is that A-ROD was tipping the pitches to the opposition in hopes of having the favor returned. The problem with your stats is that they are focused solely on A-Rod who probably only had the favor returned by players he was friends with…players such as Miguel Tejada and Carlos Guillen who he roomed with for 3 years in Seattle.

By: Mr. Faded Glory

Mr. Faded Glory — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:03:28 +0000

Hoo boy.

Those are essentially anecdotal stats used in this piece. They’re out of context and only pull a few players.

Here are some real stats: http://highandtight.blogspot.com/2009/05/one-last-post-tonight-about-a-rod-stuff.html

A-Rod was a worse hitter in Texas in blowouts. Enjoy.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:14:14 +0000

What’s up with this graf? “Here is the problem that caused by Alex Rodriguez’s vanity. It causes curious onlookers to investigate just to see what might be real and what might be fraudulent. And then it drags possibly wholly innocent – and in the case of Vizquel, those considered consummate pros – to be asked some unsavory questions.”

Um, shouldn’t that be “Here is the problem caused by Selena Roberts’ scurrilous accuations”? You yourself acknowledge that Roberts didn’t include any evidence. Why is that A-Rod’s fault, due to his “vanity”?

And by the way, if you think that Alex is the only self-absorbed, vain player out there, you need to get out more.

By: Any truth to the A-Rod tips? | The LoHud Yankees Blog

Any truth to the A-Rod tips? | The LoHud Yankees Blog — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:38:05 +0000

[...] Inside Corner sports blog of D Magazine examined the issue and the research that Roberts did not. Evan Grant, a former [...]

By: Pedro Cerrano

Pedro Cerrano — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:56:37 +0000

@Greg – I agree. It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that he hit better when there wasn’t any pressure.

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:24:02 +0000

It always seemed like Rodriguez was better in low pressure situations. I think we should probably chalk that up to his total lack of ability to pull through in the clutch (playoff stats tell that story). It is, however, very interesting the A’s called that meeting about Tejada. Makes you wonder what these guys won’t do.

By: morgan

morgan — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:52:30 +0000

Oh and for those who don’t figure it out:

Opp MIF = Opposing Middle InFielder(s)

By: morgan

morgan — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:50:35 +0000

Another set of numbers worth looking at are as follows (all numbers are vs AL teams plus the Astros):

Opp MIF Combined Avg. for the Season vs. the Rangers:
2001: .318 AVG / 46 HR / 65 2B
2002: .291 AVG / 31 HR / 72 2B
2003: .304 AVG / 31 HR / 65 2B

and

Opp MIF combined avg. in blowout situations vs. the Rangers:
2001: .328 AVG / 12 HR / 12 2B
2002: .348 AVG / 10 HR / 15 2B
2003: .309 AVG / 8 HR / 10 2B

And there are 183, 158, and 194 AB, respectively, for each year in said situations. Thus, this isn’t a small sample that the opposition is just on a string of luck.

As for considering how bad the Rangers’ pitching was: That’s the whole problem with the allegation is that it can’t be anything more than that: an allegation. And you have to believe that A-Roid, A-Fraud, whatever name you like, was smiling to himself about that fact when he was planning this out if in fact it was happening, which IMHO seems very apparent in certain circumstances. Especially against divisional teams that they play 18-20 times a year and have a consistent shortstop (Tejada and Guillen). The Angels were in the process of introducing Eckstein to the position, so they had a parade of players switching around in their MIF for a majority of the 2001 and some of 2002. Plus the story that Evan referred to about Tejada being suspected of tipping pitches during the same time can’t be a total coincidence. Sorry for rambling on, just thought I could provide a little extra light on the situation.