We keep waiting for Alex Rodriguez’ first momentous hit as a Yankee, a game-winner or grand slam that launches his season into the stratosphere.
A defining hit that officially puts him at ease in Pinstripes.
It may come during tonight’s opener of a three-game series in Oakland, but Derek Jeter has an interesting theory. Jeter believes A-Rod’s ninth-inning single off Boston’s Keith Foulke on April 19 was his teammate’s turning point.
It snapped Rodriguez’s 0-for-16 streak, and the next night in Chicago, A-Rod laid down a first-inning bunt single to get rolling. It worked, sparking a seven-run inning, and Jeter thought that was just as important.
“He’s had hits that may not be as worthy as a grand slam, but you can have big hits,” Jeter said. “Those are all little things.
“It may not be a big home run or something like that, but they help relax you.”
Look at the numbers since. Rodriguez’s 12-game hitting streak, which ended with an 0-for-3 Sunday against the Royals, began in Boston, and he’s raised his average from .143 to .255.
“I feel comfortable,” Rodriguez told The Post. “There’s obviously a lot of room for improvement.
“I think as the summer gets on, I’ll get better.”
In any case, A-Rod has turned the hot corner. He’s put his April slump (and boos of Yankee fans) behind him, progressed past the uncomfortable initiation to third base and begun looking something like his old self.
Sure, the power numbers (four homers, seven RBIs) aren’t there yet. But manager Joe Torre and Jason Giambi – who watches every A-Rod at-bat from the on-deck circle – see a different hitter now.
“He’s swinging a lot smoother,” Torre said. “Balls inside he’s staying on the ball now. He’s able to center it a little bit better.”
Said Giambi: “I think he’s taking a lot better ABs. He’s not chasing as much. He looks good up there. He’s starting to come into his own and get a little more relaxed.”
A-Rod believes his turnaround has been sparked by his defense, which has been Gold Glove caliber. He’s handled 78 total chances in 25 games, only committing two errors.
“For me, it hasn’t been an at-bat,” he said Sunday morning. “It’s been playing sound baseball every day.
“And sometimes your defense can kind of help out your offense, with a type of momentum switch.”
During the recent homestand, Rodriguez has channeled both Brooks Robinson and Mike Schmidt. He’s dived into foul territory to steal extra-base hits. He’s barehanded dribblers near the mound.
He says he’s handled every type of third baseman’s play – but there are still some things that literally trip him up.
“The one play that surprised me is the other day I smashed into the wall [by the third-base seats],” he said. “I almost broke my knee.
“At shortstop, you don’t have the wall 12 feet to the right of you. So I ran the wall over like it wasn’t even there.”
Likewise, most people believe A-Rod will smash through whatever roadblocks remain this season. A-Rod certainly does.
“I always stay positive,” he said. “You have to understand, this is my 10th year now in the league. The longer you’ve been around, you build equity with confidence. So you know you can get it done.
“It’s just a matter of time.”
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A-Rod getting hot
Since Alex Rodriguez singled in the ninth inning of a 5-4 loss at Boston on April 19, he’s raised his average over 100 points – from .143 to .255. Here’s a look at his game-by-game production since.
Date Opponent AB R H BI Comment
Apr. 20 @CWS 6 1 3 0 – Bunt single sparks seven-run first
Apr. 21 @CWS 3 1 1 1 – Second homer of season
Apr. 22 @CWS 4 0 1 0 – Manages eighth-inning single
Apr. 23 BOS 4 0 2 0 – Doubles during 11-2 loss
Apr. 24 BOS 3 2 2 1 – Homers and adds two walks
Apr. 25 BOS 4 0 2 0 – Has half of Yanks’ hits in 2-0 loss
Apr. 27 OAK 5 1 1 1 – Singled and scored in key 8-run 8th
Apr. 28 OAK 4 1 1 0 – Part of 3-run first in 5-1 victory
Apr. 29 OAK 4 1 1 1 – Game-tying homer off Barry Zito
Apr. 30 KC 4 0 1 0 – Stranded at third twice
May 1 KC 4 2 2 0 – Walked and scored during 5-run eighth
May 2 KC 3 0 0 0 – Whiffs twice as streak 12-game hit streak ends
