A couple of posts ago, I posited that Alex Rodriguez was so far the AL MVP, based on his ability to get on base, hit for power, run the bases and play an important defensive position. A fellow blogger, Dickie from Clifton Park, a particular form of partisan known as Soxus Rouges Fanaticus, scoffed at the ARod candidacy, pointing out that the Yankee cornerman has come up empty in key situations.
Over the last few days, ARod has done his best to support Dickie's conclusion. He struck out and hit into double plays in a host of key situations during two critical games against Boston and Toronto.
There are sabermetrician types who claim there is no such thing as clutch hitting. They point out that very few "clutch" hitters repeat their situational prowess from one year to the next. I believe that they are right up to a point. Most of what we perceive as "clutch" is merely getting hot at the right time, and the converse for "choking." But certainly there are a few players who are psychologically pre-disposed to bear down when playing for all the marbles, or become unglued when games are on the line.
Can there be much doubt that the greatest player of this generation is affected by the spotlight? Is anyone more eager to please everyone than ARod? Has anyone failed to answer the bell at more critical moments than he?
So for now, I'm withholding my MVP support for ARod. He has accumulated great numbers -- the best in the league. But he's come up short when he needed to stand tall, and that does matter.
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