As Spring training is still several weeks away and as we sit in these dark days of winter, ponder these thoughts as you question who are really the contributors to this team….. Since the dreaded Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS the following are the batting lines for the “regulars” in those final three games and the 9 games vs ANA and DET (except Giambi and Cano who did not play in 04)…

  • Jeter 18-52 (.346) 8R, 11RBI
  • Giambi 9-27 (.333) 2R, 4RBI (‘05 and ‘06 only)
  • Posada 12-40 (.300) 6R, 4RBI
  • Williams 8-34 (.235) 5R, 4RBI (‘04 and ‘05 only)
  • Matsui 11-50 (.220) 6R, 2RBI
  • Cano 7-34 (.205) 3R, 5 RBI (‘05 and ‘06 only)
  • Sheffield 8-45 (.177) 2R, 3RBI
  • Rodriguez 4-41 (.097) 2R, 0RBI

Sheffield is gone.  Bernie is likely gone.  Which means that Mr. Rodriguez better step it the hell up.  I don’t care how many HR he hits in the regular season.  His “break in” period is over.  The sample size is now 12 games since Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS. In his first 8 games as a Yankee (Minnesota in 04 and games 1-4 vs. Boston in 04) A-Rod batted .386 (8-31) 11R, 8RBI.  Since then ZILCH!  Time to snap out of the Funk A-Rod.  AND ANOTHER THING, No excuses for Matsui.  Pre-Game 5 of the 04 ALCS Matsui had a postseason batting line of .356 (36-101) 17R, 24 RBI (.486, 11R, 13 RBI vs. Boston).  In the 12 games since, 2 RBI.  Assuming, the Yankees get to the Post-Season.  These guys better get some freaking hits!! 

(How do you like that for a Pre-Spring training rant?  See what happens when you have no football team to root for and the other major sports stink.)   Â