Alex Rodriguez’s lack of success has once again drawn the ire of The Boss.
After Rodriguez suffered through a hapless 0-for-4 afternoon in the Yankees’ 4-3 loss to the Tigers to even the ALDS, 1-1, George Steinbrenner knocked his highpriced star.
“I didn’t like him that well,” Steinbrenner said matter-of-factly when asked what he thought of Rodriguez upon leaving the Stadium shortly after the Yankees loss yesterday. “I didn’t like him that well.” The owner wasn’t alone, as the player Yankee fans love to hate gave them plenty of reasons to boo, striking out with the bases loaded in the first inning and then twice more, in addition to popping out to short left.
Fortunately, for Rodriguez’s sake, the rest of his outs were made with no one on base.
When asked if he was worried about Rodriguez, Steinbrenner said, “No.” This wasn’t the first time Steinbrenner has taken aim at the future Hall-of-Famer.
Earlier this year, he said he was “unhappy” with “the third baseman.” While Steinbrenner later said he didn’t mean to single Rodriguez out in that instance, yesterday there was no mistaking his point, as Rodriguez fell to 1-for-8 through the first two games of the series.
Steinbrenner, despite the tough defeat, said he remained optimistic regarding his team’s chances for advancement against a Tigers team that staggered into the postseason.
“We’ve got to win two out there,” Steinbrenner said of the next two games in Detroit.
“All we’ve got to do is win two.” For that to happen, the Yankees will likely need a strong start from Randy Johnson, whose balky back has plagued him lately.
“We’re counting on him big,” Steinbrenner said of the Big Unit, who will face Kenny Rogers in Game 3.
As for whether he’s concerned with how the Yankees are doing, he said, “Sure,” before adding, “See you later” and climbing into his customary Town Car.