Rodriguez reversing playoff trends

October 18, 1:02 PMMLB ExaminerAlex Brown

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Alex Rodriguez celebrates a home run in the ALCS

AP Photo/Kathy Willens

Alex Rodriguez – welcome to the good graces of New York Yankee fans everywhere. The much maligned Yankee third baseman has turned his postseason fortunes around in 2009 and is a big part of why the Yankees have yet to lose a game this postseason.

The Yankees made the playoffs in each of Rodriguez’s first four seasons with New York (2004-2007). During that time period he was twice voted the American League’s regular season Most Valuable Player, and led the league in homers and slugging percentage twice. Once the postseason rolled around however, A-Rod’s performance dropped off significantly. He hit .244 with only four homers and nine RBI over the 2004-2007 period, and was solidifying his reputation as someone who couldn’t perform under pressure.

Rodriguez entered the 2009 postseason as part of a Yankee team that missed the playoffs in 2008 and had been bounced in the ALDS from 2005-2007. He’s responded by hitting .462 with three homers (two of the game tying variety) and eight RBI. Heck, he recorded six RBI in the ALDS against Minnesota – close to tying his four year Yankee playoff totals?

What could be responsible for A-Rod’s playoff turnaround? Perhaps it’s the more fun-loving Yankee clubhouse embraced by manager Joe Girardi. Maybe it’s the fact that he was able to excise his steroid demons during Spring Training of this year. Or, maybe it’s just a stroke of good luck. Either way, with Alex Rodriguez hitting like this it’s hard not to think the Yankees can go all the way in 2009.

Examiner's 2009 MLB Postseason Coverage