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Impressive Postseason Performance: 2009 A-Rod

Coming into 2009, A-Rod had earned the scorn of Yankee fans as a "choker" in the playoffs, largely based on his production in 2004 against the Red Sox and then subsequent struggles against the Angels, Tigers, and Cleveland (in 2005, 2006, and 2007, respectively).

After the 2008 season, during which he finalized a divorce, he entered 2009, to me, a completely different player. On his way to yet another 30 HR / 100 RBI season (an oft touted accomplishment), even though he wasn't the best he'd ever been, he looked more relaxed than I'd ever seen him and he looked like he was finally having fun.

Whatever the reason, he had a remarkable 2009 postseason while being a huge contributor to their 27th World Series championship.

ALDS

During the ALDS against the Twins, he rolled with a .455 BA, .500 OBP, and 1.000 SLG (and recorded 2 HR and drove in 6 RBI in three games).

In Game 2, down 3-1, A-Rod came to bat in the bottom of the 9th against Joe Nathan, the Twins' All Star closer. Mark Teixeira led off the inning with a single. Then this happened:

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Score: tied at 3-3. The game would go into extras and Mark Teixeira would end up walking the game off with a HR in the bottom of the 11th inning, but they don't get there without clutch hitting from A-Rod.

ALCS

The Yankees would advance to the ALCS after defeating the Twins three games to none. A-Rod continued his heroics against the Angels. For the ALCS, he recorded a triple slash of .429/.567/.952 (still good for over 1.500 OPS) with 3 HRs and another 6 RBI, this time with 8 walks to only 3 strikeouts in 6 games.

In Game 2, the Yankees fell behind 2-3 against the Angels during the top of the 11th inning. Brian Fuentes, closer, came in to try to shut the door on the Yankees. A-Rod led off the inning with this, after going 0-2 in the count:

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After tying the game, the Yankees and Angels would duke it out until the 13th inning when Jerry Hairston, Jr. and Melky Cabrera combined to walk off the game (first playoff walkoff I'd seen that happened on an error).

World Series

After defeating the Angels in six games, the Yankees then moved on to the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. A-Rod's triple slash may have gone down further (.250/.423/.550, .973 OPS), but he still had big moments in the series. He only had 1 HR but another 6 RBI and 3 walks (even though he did suffer 8 Ks in the 6 game series).

In Game 3, down 3-0, A-Rod got the Yankee scoring started by blasting a HR off Cole Hamels (with Mark Teixeira on base after a walk). Can't find video of this, sorry.

Most memorably, in my mind, was his game-winning hit in game 4. Top of the 9th inning, score tied at 4-4. First, Johnny Damon singles. Then, with Mark Teixeira batting against an extreme shift, Johnny Damon stole second base against Phillies closer Brad Lidge. After stealing second and seeing nobody was covering third base, Damon just took that base anyway. So, he was in scoring position after only 1 pitch had been thrown to Teixeira. Now rattled, Lidge hit Teixeira with a pitch, setting up a 1st and 3rd situation for A-Rod. After falling behind in the count 0-1, A-Rod did this:

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I prefer this alternate, legendary GIF:

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Jorge Posada would go on to hit a single and drive in both Teixeira and A-Rod, but the damage was done.

Even though Hideki Matsui was the 2009 World Series MVP, in my book, the 2009 playoff MVP was A-Rod. He finished the 2009 postseason with a 19 hits, 5 doubles, 6 HRs, 18 RBI, 2 stolen bases, and 12 walks (and yes, 13 Ks), in 15 games (68 plate appearances). That resulted in a triple slash of .365/.500/.808. Yes, please, sir. May I have another?

Thanks for reading!

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