close
A-Rod Agonistes
Despite his extraordinary numbers, New York fans are quick to discount his contributions. And when things go wrong for A-Rod, even his teammates find him hard to motivate and harder to understand
By Tom Verducci
"Joe wants to see you."
“Joe想要見你”
Alex Rodriguez still was weak from a throat infection that had confined him to his Seattle hotel room for the New York Yankees' game the previous night -- not to mention forced him to cancel a recording session for his ringtone endorsement deal -- when he walked into the visitors' clubhouse at Safeco Field on Aug. 24 and was told to go to manager Joe Torre's office. Torre asked him to close the door, then motioned to the blue leather couch in the smallish room. "Sit down."
A-Rod仍然因為他的喉嚨發炎而感到身體不適, 這也是讓他前晚留在西雅圖的飯店房間內休息而未幫洋基出賽的原因, 而原先安排好要為電信業者錄製手機鈴聲的計畫也被迫取消, 當他在缺席比賽的隔天(8/24)踏入Safeco Field的客隊休息室時, 他被告知總教練想要見他, 進入辦公室後, Torre要他把房門關上, 走到了皮沙發旁, 示意要他坐下
The richest and most talented player in baseball was in trouble. Rodriguez could not hit an average fastball, could not swat home runs in batting practice with any regularity, could not field a ground ball or throw from third base with an uncluttered mind and cooperative feet, could not step to the plate at Yankee Stadium without being booed and could not -- though he seemed unaware of this -- find full support in his own clubhouse.
這個棒球場上收入最高也最有天份的球員, 現在有了大麻煩, 他不但打不到普通的速球, 在打擊練習時也無法將球打出牆外, 無法處理一個再平凡不過的滾地球或是將球從三壘平穩地傳向一壘, 他甚至無法避免在每次踏上洋基球場準備打擊時面對滿場球迷排山倒海而來的噓聲, 更糟糕的是, 他甚至得不到自己球隊的全力支持, 而他似乎尚未體認到這個事實
For 11 summers Rodriguez had been the master of self-sufficiency, a baseball Narcissus who found pride and comfort gazing upon the reflection of his beautiful statistics. His game, like his appearance, was wrinkle-free. Indeed, in December 2003, when the Red Sox were frantically trying to acquire Rodriguez from the Texas Rangers, several Boston executives called on Rodriguez in his New York hotel suite after 1 a.m. Rodriguez answered the door in a perfectly pressed suit, tie knotted tight to his stiff collar. The Red Sox officials found such polished attire at such a late hour odd, even unsettling.
過去11年間, A-Rod一直都是個極為自負甚至自戀的球員, 因為他完美的數據成績讓他有足夠的理由這樣做, 他的表現就像他的外表一樣毫無瑕疵, 在2003年12月的某個過了凌晨一點的深夜, 當時渴望將A-Rod納入陣中的紅襪隊高階主管們到A-Rod在紐約投宿的飯店房間拜訪他, 當時前來應門的A-Rod身穿著搭配完美的西裝, 對來訪的紅襪主管們來說, 在這樣的深夜身穿這樣正式的服裝實在是有說不出的詭異
But then Rodriguez has long been the major league equivalent of the prettiest girl in high school who also gets straight A's, which is to say he is viewed with equal parts admiration and resentment. The A-Rod of 2006 was different, though -- unhinged and, in a baseball sense, unkempt. "My seasons have always been so easy," says Rodriguez. "This year hasn't been easy." He adds that his wife, Cynthia, in helping him with his struggles, encouraged him to "turn to the Lord for guidance."
一直以來, A-Rod給人的印象就像是在高中時期全校最漂亮又同時成績優異的女生一般, 讓人又愛又恨, 但是2006年的A-Rod給人截然不同的觀感, 他在棒球場上的表現可說是一團糟, “過去幾個球季實在是太過順利了” A-Rod說道 “但這個球季卻完全不是那麼一回事” 現在他的老婆Cynthia也試著幫助陷入低潮的他, 鼓勵他向宗教尋求心靈上的慰藉
With the boost of a September surge Rodriguez's final numbers will look, as usual, stellar. (At week's end he was hitting .287, with 33 homers and 114 RBIs.) But even Rodriguez admitted early this month that his statistics can't erase the pain he felt during his three-month slip into a dark abyss, when he lost his confidence, withered under media and fan pressure, and, some teammates believe, worked a little too hard at keeping up appearances -- displaying "a false confidence," New York first baseman Jason Giambi said. The slump (a word Rodriguez refuses to utter) revealed that for all his gifts, A-Rod may never be seen by Yankees traditionalists as worthy of his pinstripes.
由於九月的大量進補, A-Rod本季的最終數據將還是和過去幾個球季一樣耀眼, 但他本人也已經表示即便有著漂亮的數據, 也無法讓他忘懷那為期三個月猶如置身地獄的低潮期, 當時他在媒體和球迷的壓力之下完全失去自信, 甚至部份隊友還認為他之所以表現不佳是因為花了太多心思在自己的外表上, 套一句Jason Giambi的話來說, 企圖塑造出一種”偽裝的自信” , 他所面臨的低潮也讓傳統的洋基支持者認為他對不起身上所穿的條紋球衣
Yet there's still another chapter to be written in the story of his season. He still, God help him, has October.
但這個糟糕的球季對他而言尚未結束, 還有著殘酷的季後賽考驗等待著他去面對
Torre had been concerned about Rodriguez and his game for weeks before he called him into his office. Effort hadn't been the issue. If anything, he 31-year-old Rodriguez works too hard, crams too many bits of information into his head. He even studies videotape shot from centerfield cameras to see if he can decode patterns in catchers' signal sequences with a runner on second base.
在把他叫進辦公室之前, Torre已經觀察A-Rod和他的比賽狀態好一陣子了, “不夠勤奮”對A-Rod來說從來都不是一個問題, 如果真有問題存在, 肯定是這位31歲的明星球員過於努力並且試圖在腦袋中塞入過量的資訊, 他甚至還研究中外野攝影機所拍攝到的畫面, 企圖破解捕手在二壘上有跑者時對其隊友打出的暗號
"I can't help that I'm a bright person," he said last month. "I know that's not a great quote to give, but I can't pretend to play dumb and stupid."
“我就是這麼一個聰明的球員” A-Rod說道 “我知道這並不是很適當的發言, 不過我就是無法假裝自己是個笨蛋”
What bothered Torre most was Rodriguez's seeming obliviousness to how badly he was playing. In June, for instance, hitting coach Don Mattingly ordered Rodriguez into the cage and sternly lectured him on the flaws in his swing, which Mattingly thought A-Rod had been unwilling to address. "An intervention," Mattingly called it. "He got to a pretty good point with [his swing], but it lasted only a few days and he went right back to where he was."
最為困擾著Torre的是, A-Rod似乎沒有意識到自己的表現有多麼糟糕, 舉例來說, 今年六月的某一天, 打擊教練Don Mattingly要求A-Rod進入打擊練習區, 然後嚴厲地指出A-Rod揮棒動作中的瑕疵, 當時他認為A-Rod本人並沒意識到這些問題, 而自己有義務幫他做些調整, “當時他的揮棒動作的確有所改善, 不過這樣的認知和調整只持續了幾天, 他又回到了老樣子”
In the 80 games the Yankees played from June 1 to Aug. 30 -- almost half a season -- Rodriguez hit .257 with 81 strikeouts while committing 13 errors. Tabloids mocked him. Talk radio used him for kindling. "I haven't seen anything like it since I've been here," said reliever Mariano Rivera, in his 12th year as a Yankee, of the rough treatment.
從6/1日到8/30日的80場比賽中, A-Rod交出了打擊率.257, 81次三振以及13個失誤的成績, 報章雜誌開始嘲笑他, 電台脫口秀拿他當做笑柄, “自從我加入洋基隊以來, 我從來沒看過這樣的情況” 對於媒體大眾拿A-Rod的低潮大作文章, 穿上條紋球衣已經第12年的Mariano Rivera這麼說道
Torre hit .363 with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1971 and .289 the following season, giving him a deep understanding of the ebb and flow of performance. With veteran players especially he operates like an old fisherman checking the tide charts, believing that the worst of times only means the best is to come. Rodriguez will hit, he thought, and he kept telling his third baseman exactly that.
Torre在1971年效力於聖路易紅雀隊時打擊率高達.363, 但在接下來的球季他僅僅交出打擊率.289的成績, 這也讓他深刻了解到球員的表現總有高低起伏, 對於一些面臨低潮的老將, Torre的做法就像是仔細確認潮汐表的老漁夫一樣, 相信低潮暗示著即將來臨的高潮, A-Rod將會恢復狀態, Torre這麼認為, 而他也一直這麼鼓勵A-Rod
Torre's trademark placidity ended, though, when Giambi asked to talk to Torre in Seattle. "Skip," Giambi told Torre, "it's time to stop coddling him."
當Giambi向Torre提出關於處理A-Rod低潮的建言時, 一向沉穩的Torre動搖了, “不能在這樣下去了” Giambi這麼向Torre說道 “是時候停止對他(A-Rod)的溺愛了”
For all the scorn heaped upon Giambi for his ties to the BALCO steroid scandal, he is a strong clubhouse voice because he plays with a passion that stirs teammates and even opponents. This season, for instance, he reprimanded his former Oakland A's teammate, Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada, for occasionally showing up late to games out of frustration over another losing Baltimore season. "You're better than that," he told Tejada. So Giambi's gripe about Rodriguez sounded an alarm with Torre.
當人們因為Giambi的禁藥官司而指責他時, 他仍然是洋基陣中講話最具份量的球員, 因為他對比賽的熱情不只感染了自己的隊友, 甚至還影響了對手, 舉例來說, 他在Miguel Tejada因為球隊本季表現不佳而深感挫折, 甚至因此時常缺席賽前練習時公開對這位他在運動家隊的前隊友喊話, “你的表現不應只是如此” 他這麼對Tejada說, 因此Giambi對A-Rod的擔憂, 對Torre來說不啻是敲響了警鐘
"What Jason said made me realize that I had to go at it a different way," Torre says. "When the rest of the team starts noticing things, you have to get it fixed. That's my job. I like to give individuals what I believe is the room they need, but when I sense that other people are affected, teamwise, I have to find a solution to it."
“Jason的一番話讓我了解到是時候採取其他方法了” Torre說道”當隊中其他人都開始意識到問題存在時, 你必須想辦法解決問題, 這也就是我的工作, 一直以來我習慣給球員適當的空間讓他們試著改善問題, 不過當我感覺到其他隊員也受到影響時, 就是我得出面尋求解答的時候了”
The players' confidence in Rodriguez was eroding as they sensed that he did not understand how much his on-field struggles were hurting the club. Said one Yankees veteran, "It was always about the numbers in [Seattle and Texas] for him. And that doesn't matter here. Winning is all you're judged on here."
當隊友們認為A-Rod並未意識到他在場上的差勁表現已經影響了球隊整體時, 他們對於A-Rod的信心也開始逐漸消逝, 一位洋基陣中的老將如此說道”對他(A-Rod)而言, 低潮帶來的影響是數據的滑落, 不過個人數據對球隊來說並不是那麼重要, 勝利是我們用來評斷球員的唯一標準”
Before Giambi went to Torre, he had scolded Rodriguez after a 13-5 win in Boston on Aug. 19. Irked that Rodriguez left four runners on base in the first three innings against a shaky Josh Beckett, Giambi thought A-Rod needed to be challenged. "We're all rooting for you and we're behind you 100 percent," Giambi recalls telling Rodriguez, "but you've got to get the big hit."
在向Torre提出建言之前, Giambi在8/19日洋基以13-5擊敗紅襪隊的比賽結束後, 就曾經針對A-Rod在比賽前三局面對狀況不佳的Josh Beckett卻無法對球隊做出貢獻, 甚至還留下四個殘壘的差勁演出當面指責A-Rod, Giambi認為該是有人出面點醒A-Rod的時候了, “我們全都相信你, 我們也都百分之百的支持你” Giambi重述當時對A-Rod所說的話 “現在該是你為球隊做出貢獻的時候了”
"What do you mean?" was Rodriguez's response, according to Giambi. "I've had five hits in Boston."
“你這是什麼意思?” 在Giambi的印象中, A-Rod是這麼回應的 “我在對上紅襪隊的系列戰中打出了五支安打”
"You f------ call those hits?" Giambi said. "You had two f------ dinkers to rightfield and a ball that bounced over the third baseman! Look at how many pitches you missed!
“你他媽的稱那做安打” Giambi如此回答 “你打了兩支右外野方向的鳥安還有一次內野高彈跳球剛好越過三壘手頭頂 ! 看看你自己錯失了多少進攻機會 ! ”
"When you hit three, four or five [in the order], you have to get the big hits, especially if they're going to walk Bobby [Abreu] and me. I'll help you out until you get going. I'll look to drive in runs when they pitch around me, go after that 3-and-1 pitch that might be a ball. But if they're going to walk Bobby and me, you're going to have to be the guy."
“當你擔任三四五棒時, 你就必須要有一棒擊沉的能力, 尤其是當對方投手試著保送Bobby和我時, 我會一直幫助你直到你找回狀態, 我也會在他們試著閃躲我時想辦法為球隊打下分數, 即使當時球數是一好三壞而對方投手八成會再多投個壞球給我的狀態下, 不過一旦對手真的保送了我和Bobby,那就是你該挺身而出為球隊做出貢獻的時候了”
(Asked about Giambi's pep talk, Rodriguez said he could not remember what was discussed, though he added, "I'm sure we had a conversation.")
(向A-Rod求證關於Giambi的精神喊話內容, A-Rod表示他已經記不得對話內容了, 不過他也承認 ”我們的確有過一番談話”)
In Seattle, Torre looked at Rodriguez squarely and said, "This is all about honesty. And it's not about anybody else but you. You can't pretend everything is O.K. when it's not. You have to face the reality that you're going through a tough time, and then work from there."
在西雅圖, Torre用堅定的眼神看著A-Rod說”真正重要的是你是否對自己誠實, 別人怎麼看你並不重要, 當事情不對勁時你不能只是假裝一切如常, 你必須接受你正處於低潮的事實, 然後試著克服它”
It was as close to a tongue-lashing as the low-key Torre ever gets. When the manager comes down on a player, he will mix in the occasional profanity, but his voice remains even and there are no threats. Here his hammer was in the rebuke that Rodriguez's unwillingness to address his slump head-on was letting himself and the team down. Torre told him he needed to show some fight, some anger even, rather than continuing to act as if he were doing just fine.
對一向作風低調的Torre來說, 這樣一番話的嚴厲程度已經算是相當嚴重了, 每當Torre斥責球員時, 縱使他的用詞會稍微嚴厲些, 但他的語調還是一如往常的平靜, 不帶威脅性, 而這次Torre試圖讓A-Rod了解, 他不願正視自己身處低潮的態度, 已經對他本人及球隊造成了傷害, Torre要他展現出面對低潮的決心, 甚至以憤怒作為表達決心的形式, 都好過試圖粉飾太平的態度
Rodriguez maintained eye contact while Torre spoke and nodded repeatedly. His only sign of discomfort was that he kept twirling his wedding ring around his finger. When Torre was done, he asked A-Rod if he understood what he had just told him. "Yes, 100 percent," Rodriguez said firmly.
在兩人談話過程中, A-Rod保持和Torre的眼神接觸並且不斷地點頭, 唯一看得出來他還是有點不太自在的線索, 就是他不斷地轉動著自己手指上的婚戒, 當訓話告一段落時, Torre問A-Rod是否完全了解他所說的話用意何在, “當然, 我完全了解” A-Rod的回答十分肯定
Earlier this month, in recalling the meeting with Torre, Rodriguez said, "Oh, he was real tough. That was the toughest he's been on me."
本月稍早, 當記者問到A-Rod關於該次談話的內容時, A-Rod回答 “恩…那的確是次相當嚴厲的訓話, 他從來沒對我說過這麼重的話”
On the night of the meeting Rodriguez struck out as a pinch hitter to end the game. He whacked the dugout railing with his bat, walked up the runway and into the clubhouse, and picked up a folding chair and threw it.
兩人談話的當晚, A-Rod以代打身分上場打擊遭到三振而結束了該場比賽, 離開打擊區後, A-Rod用球棒重擊了休息區的欄杆, 並且在走回休息室的路上隨手拿起一旁的折椅, 狠狠地將其摔向遠方
Two days and seven more embarrassing strikeouts later, it seemed as if the meeting with Torre had never happened. It was late afternoon at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, so late that the concession and maintenance workers were long gone as Rodriguez walked through the empty labyrinth of service tunnels from the clubhouse to a rightfield parking lot. "It's not a big deal," he said. "It's only two games. Back in 1999 I was 5 for 81 [actually 6 for 62] and got an 0-and-2 fastball from Esteban Yan over my head and hit it out, and I was fine. This is nothing like that. It's only two games."
談話過後的兩場比賽, A-Rod共計被三振了七次, 看起來就像那場對話從來沒發生過一樣, 某個下午在天使隊球場, 比賽已經結束許久, 甚至連負責球場養護的工作人員都早已離開球場, 而A-Rod正試圖從休息室經由迷宮般的通道到達右外野方向的停車場, “這並沒有什麼大不了的” A-Rod說道 “這不過是兩場比賽罷了, 還記得1999年時我曾經歷經81個打數只擊出5支安打(事實上是62個打數擊出6支安打)的低潮, 最終我還是克服它了, 最近的比賽比起當時的狀況來說實在不算什麼, 就不過是兩場比賽罷了”
It was classic A-Rod: the instant recall of his numbers, the whistling past the graveyard of a slump that was much deeper than two days. He has already hit into more double plays than ever before, and he most likely will exceed his career highs in strikeouts and errors. Rodriguez also hadn't come to terms with his teammates' sense that he wasn't doing enough to shake things up. Torre and his coaches, for instance, lingered late in the Angel Stadium clubhouse on the previous night trying to decide what to do about Rodriguez. Some wanted him dropped in the lineup. Torre came down on the side of moving him up to second in the order.
這就是最典型的A-Rod式反應: 馬上引用自己過去的紀錄, 證明比起之前那地獄般的低潮來說, 兩場比賽的數字真的無法說明些什麼, 不過他今年球季打出的雙殺打已經創下生涯新高, 他的三振和失誤次數看來也將打破其生涯紀錄, 但他卻尚未如隊友預期般地作出決心克服低潮的努力, 就在前一天晚上, 洋基的教練團還在天使球場中待到深夜, 試圖決定該如何處置A-Rod, 其中有些人認為應該把A-Rod暫時放到板凳上, 但Torre最終決定先將他的打序調整到第二棒
Despite taking 45 minutes of batting practice after the game that day, Rodriguez continued to flail away, in the midst of what would be a 2-for-20 stretch with 14 strikeouts. Like a blindfolded kid hacking at a piñata, he missed the baseball 19 of the 36 times he swung the bat.
儘管在賽後花了45分鐘進行打擊練習, A-Rod的表現還是沒有起色, 那段時間他在20個打數中僅擊出2支安打, 被三振了14次, 他在打擊區的表現就像是個盲劍客一般, 36次的揮擊中有19次揮棒落空
Said centerfielder Johnny Damon during that West Coast trip, "His swing is so mechanical. He's too good to be swinging like that. Just let it flow. See the ball and react to it. And sometimes you need to do whatever you can, especially with two strikes or with runners on, to get the job done. He's not doing that."
在洋基遠征西岸的客場作戰期間, 中外野手Johnny Damon曾經說道, “他現在的揮棒動作實在太過機械化了, 他的能力不應該只是如此, 他所該做的, 就是順從自己的直覺, 看到球就本能地作出反應, 此外, 作為一個球員, 有些任務你就是得盡一切努力去完成, 特別是當你球數落後或是有隊友在壘包上時更是如此, 而目前的他並無法做到這一點”
"He's guessing," Giambi said, "and he's doing a bad job of it, which is inevitable when you guess as often as he guesses. He's squeezing the f------ sawdust out of the bat."
“他根本是在猜球” Giambi說道 “而且他連猜都猜不準, 當一個球員像他一樣都只是靠盲目的猜測來打球時, 你根本無法期待他能把球打好, 他所做的不過就是試著把球棒上的灰塵甩掉罷了”
Said another teammate, "I think he ought to get his eyes checked. I'm not kidding. I don't think he's seeing the ball."
另一位隊友說道 “我想他需要去做個視力檢查, 這並不是個玩笑話, 我認為他現在似乎連看到球都有困難”
And another: "I honestly think he might be afraid of the ball."
還有隊友這麼說 “說老實話, 我覺得他可能對球有恐懼感”
Every clubhouse has a unique current, like that of a river, with a temperature and a pace that can be felt only by wading into it. The A's, taking their cue from general manager Billy Beane's shorts and flip-flops, play as if it's Friday happy hour. The Atlanta Braves, eschewing the clubhouse stereo, have a self-assured, nine-to-five approach. The Yankees, the last baseball bastion in which beards and individualism are verboten, foster a Prussian efficiency.
每個球隊都有其與眾不同的氣氛, 只有當你置身其中才能真正感受到, 以運動家隊為例, 他們的風格就像總是身穿短褲及夾腳拖鞋的總經理Billy Beane一樣, 如同置身週五happy hour般; 至於勇士隊, 則是和傳統球隊的典型大異其趣, 有著其自訂的準則, 以及猶如標準上班族般地管理方式; 而洋基隊, 則是藉由禁止球員蓄鬍及反對個人主義, 建立了一支有著德國人般效率的球隊
The old guard with connections to New York's four championship seasons from 1996 to 2000 -- Torre, Rivera, shortstop Derek Jeter, catcher Jorge Posada and outfielder Bernie Williams -- almost never talks about individual numbers because stats are incidental to the team's mission: winning the World Series. Those title teams talked about "passing the baton" -- taking a walk or moving a runner over out of confidence in and respect for the next hitter. Reliance on one another is what mattered. That is still the covenant of the Yankees, though perhaps not as sublimely executed.
幾個曾經經歷1996-2000年間四個冠軍球季的洋基成員 – Torre, Rivera, Jeter, Posada和Bernie Williams – 幾乎從來不曾談論過個人的數據表現 , 因為對洋基來說, 球隊的唯一目標就是獲得世界大賽冠軍, 其他都不值一提, 這種冠軍球隊真正在意的是每個球員如何有效地讓球隊的攻勢延續下去, 想辦法讓自己上壘或是幫助壘上的隊友推進, 然後信賴下一棒的隊友也將會對球隊做出一樣的貢獻, 這才是洋基作為一個球隊所真正重視的, 儘管有時並沒有被確實執行, 但這始終是洋基不變的信念
One day last month, wading into that current, I asked Rodriguez whom he has relied on most during his difficult summer. He first mentioned Cynthia.
上個月的某天, 我問A-Rod當他在今年夏天面臨低潮時, 誰是他最依賴的人, 他第一個提到的名字是他的老婆Cynthia
But to whom has he turned on this Yankees team?
在洋基陣中有這樣的人嗎 ?
He looked down and thought in silence. Ten seconds passed.
他看了看地面, 沉思了一會兒
Finally he said, "Rob Thomson." Thomson is the team's special-assignment coach who throws batting practice.
十秒鐘過去後, 他總算開了口” Rob Thomson” , Thomson是洋基的特別任務教練, 負責在打擊練習時做餵球的工作
"And Mo. Mariano is the best. Those three."
“還有Mo, 他是最棒的, 我想就是這三個人吧”
And that was it.
就這樣
As the conscience and soul of the team, Rivera is everyone's touchstone. When asked if he had counseled Rodriguez this summer, Rivera said, "He has my support, [but] he has to figure it out on his own. Sometimes you try so hard to do things so right that you do them all wrong. It's like moving in quicksand. The more you move, the more you sink."
作為球隊的良知和靈魂, Rivera是所有人的試金石, 當被問到在今年夏天他是否曾經輔導過A-Rod, Rivera答道”我全力支持他, 不過有些問題他還是得自己想辦法克服, 有時我們太過努力地想要把事情做對, 但結果卻是大錯特錯, 就像被困在流沙中時, 你越是移動, 只會越陷越深 ”
As revered as Rivera is, though, no one is more important to the Yankees' clubhouse culture than the captain, the 32-year-old Jeter. As younger players Rodriguez and Jeter enjoyed a close friendship, often staying with each other when the Yankees faced the Mariners. But they have had little personal connection since 2001, when Rodriguez referred to Jeter as a number-two hitter in an Esquire story, code for a complementary player. Giambi referred last month to "the heat that exists between them."
32歲且和Rivera一樣備受尊重的隊長Jeter, 無疑是洋基陣中最重要的人物, 他和A-Rod曾經是相當親密的朋友, 每當洋基和水手對戰時, 他們總是習慣到對方家裡作客, 不過兩人的友情在2001年時幾乎畫下終點, 當時A-Rod在接受Esquire雜誌專訪時提及Jeter是所謂的二號打者, 那是被用以稱呼候補選手的術語, 上個月的訪問中Giambi提到 ”這兩人的關係相當緊張”
Jeter, who publicly supported Giambi when he was being blasted for his BALCO involvement, has refused to throw any life preservers to Rodriguez this summer. I asked Jeter why he hasn't told the critics to ease up on A-Rod. "My job as a player is not to tell the fans what to do," he said. "My job is not to tell the media what to write about. They're going to do what they want. They should just let it go. How many times can you ask the same questions?"
在Giambi身陷禁藥醜聞時公開對其表達大力支持的Jeter , 在今年夏天卻拒絕對A-Rod伸出援手, 我問Jeter為何不試著出面緩頰 “作為一個球員, 告訴球迷該如何做並非我的職責” Jeter答道 “告訴新聞媒體該報導些什麼也非我份內工作, 他們將會決定自己該做些什麼, 我想他們不應該再窮追猛打了, 總不能一直繞著同樣的話題打轉吧 ?”
Had he ever seen such persistent criticism? "Knobby," he said, referring to error-prone former second baseman Chuck Knoblauch. "[Roger] Clemens for a whole year. Tino [Martinez]."
問他是否曾經見過對於球員的批評如此陰魂不散的案例, “Knobby” 他提到Chuck Knoblauch, 這位失誤頻頻的前洋基二壘手 “對於(Roger) Clemens的批評也持續了一整年, 還有Tino (Martinez)”
Has A-Rod's treatment been worse?
而A-Rod遭受的待遇是否更糟?
"I don't know," Jeter said. "I don't think about that. I'm just concerned with doing what we can to win."
“我不知道” Jeter說道 “我不會去想這種事, 我所在意的只有如何幫洋基贏得勝利”
Here is the way Hall of Fame slugger Reggie Jackson, a Yankees special adviser and a member of the franchise's mythological pinstriped society, explained the yin and yang of the Jeter-Rodriguez relationship: "Alex is too concerned with wanting people to like him. Derek knows he can control only things within the area code DJ."
名人堂球員同時也是球隊特別顧問及洋基傳奇強打者Reggie Jackson這麼描述Jeter和A-Rod的差異 “Alex太在意別人對他的看法了, 而Jeter則清楚了解他唯一能掌控的就是做好自己份內的工作”
Rodriguez must be deferential to Jeter because birth order within the Yankees' family is a powerful influence. Rodriguez will never be as popular as Jeter with New York fans, will never catch him in rings or Yankees legacy, in the same way the younger brother never will be the oldest, no matter how many birthdays pass.
A-Rod將永遠不會成為Jeter, 因為對這支球隊的球迷來說, 先來後到的倫理是無法被打破的, A-Rod永遠不會像Jeter一樣受歡迎, 也永遠拿不到和Jeter一樣多的冠軍戒指, 無論經過多少年, 這種關係都不會改變
When I asked Rodriguez about his relationship with Jeter this year, he replied, "People always want to look at someone's silence and equate that with a negative thing. I don't see it that way."
當我在今年試著要A-Rod說明他和Jeter的關係如何時, 他這麼回答 “人們總是習慣把一個人的沉默看作是件負面的事, 但我並不這麼認為”
I reminded him that Jeter's words carry the most weight. "Mariano said good things [about me]. Joe said good things. [G.M. Brian] Cashman said great things," Rodriguez said. "But again, people want to focus on Jeet. Jeet's very quiet by nature, so I wouldn't want him to change who he is to come and defend me. Because I'm a grown man."
我提醒他Jeter的話一向被視為最有份量的發言, ” Mariano說了些我的好話, Joe也一樣, Cashman也不例外” A-Rod說道 “不過人們總喜歡把焦點放在Jeet身上, 而Jeet的個性本就沉默, 我並不希望他違背本性來試圖幫我辯護, 因為我已經是個大人了”
Watching a Yankees-Angels game in Anaheim from a television booth, Jackson noticed Rodriguez (the number-two hitter that day) and Jeter (batting third) near the on-deck circle with their backs to each other. "Classic Ruth-and-Gehrig picture right there," said Jackson, referring to the legends and their frosty relationship.
在洋基和天使在安納漢的對戰中, Reggie Jackson注意到A-Rod(當天擔任第二棒)和Jeter(當天擔任第三棒)即便同時在場邊等待上場打擊時, 仍然是背對對方且不曾交談, “我就像看到了當年的Ruth和Gehrig一樣” Jackson提及那對相敬如"冰"的傳奇隊友
Jackson likes Rodriguez, recognizes in him the same need for ego massaging that he had as a player. Jackson took him to dinner last month -- yet another intervention -- and described how bad he had it as a Yankee. Jackson talked about when his teammates left notes in his locker telling him that they didn't want him in New York; about how manager Billy Martin so beat it into his head that he was a bad defensive player that on the night Jackson hit three home runs in the 1977 World Series, he played a routine double into a triple because he'd been stricken with fear that he'd screw it up; about when he was in the midst of such a horrific strikeout streak that he pleaded to Detroit Tigers catcher Lance Parrish, "Tell me what's coming, and I promise I'll take a turn right back into the dugout no matter where I hit it. I just want to look like a pro a little bit." (Parrish replied, "F--- you"; Jackson, to his immense satisfaction, grounded out.)
Jackson相當欣賞A-Rod, 而他也注意到A-Rod就像當年仍身為球員的他一樣, 需要做些自我調整, 因此在上個月的某日, 他邀A-Rod共進晚餐, 並且告訴A-Rod當年他效力洋基時所遭遇的困難, Jackson提到曾經有隊友在他的更衣櫃內留下字條, 告訴他部分隊員並不希望他留在紐約; 他也提到1977年的世界大賽, 就在他單場敲出三支全壘打的比賽後, 總教練Billy Martin是如何嚴厲地指責他是個糟糕的防守球員, 他在比賽當中因為害怕搞砸而讓一個應該只是二壘安打的球成了三壘安打; 他更提到了難堪的連續三振紀錄, 當時他甚至這麼懇求老虎隊的捕手Lance Parrish說 ”告訴我下一球是哪種球路吧, 我保證不管我把球打到場上何處, 我都會馬上走回休息區, 我只求讓自己看起來像是個職業球員些” (而Parrish的回答是” F--- you” , 但Jackson最終還是如願以償, 打出內野滾地球出局)
During the game, Jackson told a parable to make a point about Rodriguez. A man is trapped in his house as floodwaters rise. Twice he refuses help, once from rescuers in a boat and then, when the man seeks refuge on his roof, from rescuers in a helicopter. "No, thanks," the man says. "I've got faith." The next thing he knows he is face-to-face with God in heaven.
比賽中, Jackson用了一個故事來比喻A-Rod當時的處境 : 就像一個被不斷高漲的洪水困在自己家中的人, 他兩度拒絕了外界伸出的援手, 一次是來自船上的救難人員, 而另一次則是來自搭乘直昇機前來的救難人員, “我不需要你的幫助” 那人這麼向救難人員說道 “我有著堅強的信念” , 結果當他再度恢復知覺時, 他發現自己已經和上帝一同置身天堂了
"But I put my faith in you!" the man cried.
“我是這麼的相信你 ! ” 那人向上帝哭喊
"Yes," God replied, "and I answered your faith and tried to help you twice."
“我知道” 上帝回答道 “因此我回應了你對我的信念, 然後兩次對你伸出援手”
As Jackson spoke, Rodriguez whiffed yet again, this time on a pitch that bounced on the grass in front of home plate. How does a player with so much talent get so bad? It seemed ages ago, but Rodriguez was the American League Player of the Month for May, when he batted .330 with eight homers and 28 RBIs. Then he lost the natural groove and quickness in his stroke. A crisis of confidence befell him when he could not hit the ball out of the park to right centerfield in batting practice.
就如同Jackson所言, A-Rod又再次被三振, 而這次是一顆甚至還沒飛進本壘上方就已經提早落地的球, 一個有著如此天賦的球員怎麼會搞到這副田地? 作為美聯的五月最有價值球員, 他在該月繳出打擊率.330, 八支全壘打以及28分打點的傲人成績, 不過現在看起來好像已經是非常久遠的記憶了, 之後他喪失了打擊時的手感和揮棒速度, 更糟的是, 他發現自己無法像往常一樣在打擊練習時將球打出牆外, 讓他面臨了更加嚴重的信心危機
"BP is a big key for me," Rodriguez said. "And you don't know how devastating it is to hit a ball you think you got squarely and see it die on the warning track. Out of 40 swings in BP, I should hit 22 out of the park. I was hitting three out of 40. I couldn't hit a fastball. Eighty-nine, 90 [mph pitches] were going right past me, and I knew it."
“打擊練習對我來說相當重要的指標” A-Rod說到 “你無法想像當我看到自己深信已經完全咬中的球竟然飛不出全壘打牆是多麼感到沮喪, 照理說, 40次出棒中我應該可以把22球打出牆外, 不過我現在卻只能把3球打出去, 我完全打不到速球, 只能看著時速89,90英哩的球就這樣從我身旁飛過”
Trying to catch up to fastballs, he started guessing and began his swing early, lunging at the ball with his hips drifting forward, creating a flaw that robbed him of even more power -- or worse, flailing embarrassingly at what turned out to be a slider. Then as he carried the anxiety into the field, his usually reliable glove began to fail him.
為了能跟上速球, 他開始猜球並且提早揮棒, 這樣的結果讓他在擊球瞬間臀部也向前位移, 大為減弱了他的揮棒力量, 若這時發現原來對方投手投出的球路是滑球而非直球, 最有可能的結果就是令人尷尬的揮棒落空 , 而打擊狀況不佳所造成的焦慮揮之不去, 也讓他的守備開始出現問題
"He puts in the work before games and looks textbook out there," third base coach Larry Bowa said last month. "But all of a sudden the game starts, and he quits using his feet and he's fielding with a lazy lower half. That causes his arm to drop, and the ball sails on him."
“他在賽前提早開始練習並且試著翻閱教科書” 三壘教練Larry Bowa在上個月說道 “不過一但比賽開始後, 他並沒有好好運用他的腳, 不妥善運用下半身的結果就是他的手肘位置過低, 而球就這樣穿過他的守備位置”
There was one game against Boston in Yankee Stadium in June when Rodriguez looked so anguished by the rough treatment from New York fans that Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, while watching him from the on-deck circle, grew concerned. Ortiz caught Rodriguez's attention and gave him an exaggerated exhale, the way you might when a physician asks you to take a deep breath. Rodriguez would later thank Ortiz. "It was painful to see his face," Ortiz said. "I had to tell him to just breathe and relax."
六月一場在洋基球場面對紅襪隊的比賽中, A-Rod因為紐約球迷的噓聲而看似十分痛苦, 這讓當時正在場邊準備上場打擊的David Ortiz都無法置之不理, Ortiz朝著A-Rod做了一個誇張的深呼吸動作, 就像健身教練要求你深呼吸時所做的動作一樣, “看到他的表情讓人十分心痛” Ortiz說道 “我想告訴他該是做個深呼吸然後放鬆自己的時候了”
Asked when his season turned sour, Rodriguez replied, "I was absolutely on fire in Detroit early in the year. Then I got sick and I didn't play for three or four days. And then the whole month was kind of lost. It took a while to get my strength back. I'm not explaining that June, the month I stunk, was because I got sick. Let's make that clear. You ask, 'What's the turning point, going from Player of the Month in May to June?' That's the only thing in the middle."
問到何時是他本季表現從好轉壞的轉戾點, A-Rod答道”在球季剛開始對上老虎隊的比賽時, 我的狀況極佳, 後來由於生病的緣故我錯過了三四場比賽, 在那之後的整個月, 我花了好長一段時間才總算找回狀態, 不過讓我把話說清楚, 我並不是拿那場病來當做六月表現不佳的藉口, 我會這樣回答是因為你問我從五月得到當月最有價值球員到六月的低潮中, 什麼是我表現轉壞的關鍵時間點, 而生病是我唯一能想到在這對期間內所發生的事”
He did admit that the media and fan criticism caused him stress that crept into his game. "I think it bothered me, early in the year," he said. The jeering of Rodriguez fed on itself, with Yankees fans emboldened by the obvious physical signs from A-Rod that he was unnerved. Posada could go 0 for 25 in August and go uncriticized, but Rodriguez would be excoriated for popping up in the first inning.
他也承認媒體和球迷的批評所帶來的壓力影響了他場上的表現 “我想這在球季初期真的對我造成了困擾” 他說道, 不過A-Rod會遭受如此嘲笑也有部分原因是自找的, A-Rod表現出的不耐和焦躁讓球迷更加猛烈地攻擊他, Posada可以在八月陷入連續25個打數沒有安打的低潮卻不受球迷批評, 而A-Rod卻會因為在球賽第一局打出鳥飛出局而被全場球迷狂噓
Sample A-Rod headlines from the summer:
這裡節錄一些今年夏天各報章媒體有關A -Rod的頭條用語
E-ROD
K-ROD
A-ROD GETS A HIT....
DO YOU HATE THIS MAN?
Said Rodriguez, "It actually reached the point of being so ridiculous that I just had to laugh. It's like if you show up at work one day with a red shirt, and I go, 'Man, that's an ugly shirt.' And the next day you wear a blue shirt, and I go, 'Man, that's an ugly shirt.' And the next day, yellow shirt, same thing. And on and on, every day. At some point you understand it's not really about the shirts. And it becomes easy to dismiss the criticism."
A-Rod表示”這整件事情的後續發展只能用荒謬來形容, 我除了苦笑之外似乎也沒有其他辦法, 這就像有一天你穿著紅色襯衫去上班, 然後我對你說”老兄, 這真是件醜陋的襯衫”, 隔天你改穿藍色襯衫, 結果我又跟你說” 老兄, 這真是件醜陋的襯衫”, 之後改穿黃色襯衫的你還是得到我相同的評語, 然後就這樣沒完沒了的持續下去, 到最後你會發現, 重點根本不在於你穿什麼襯衫, 了解這點之後, 你就不會把這些批評看得太過嚴重了
Why must Rodriguez defend himself? He plays hard, is durable, stays out of trouble off the field, has hit more than 460 home runs and might wind up reaching 800, which would place him on the short list of the greatest players in history. He is a career .305 hitter (and has batted nearly the same with runners in scoring position, by the way) with 10 All-Star selections, eight Silver Sluggers, four home run titles, two MVP Awards, two Gold Gloves and one batting title.
為什麼A-Rod還得為自己的表現辯護? 他用心打球, 他很少受傷, 在球場外也不曾讓自己捲入無謂的麻煩, 他已經打出了460支全壘打, 而且極有可能可以在球員生涯結束前打出800支全壘打, 這足以讓他成為大聯盟史上最偉大的幾個球員之一, 他的生涯打擊率是.305(不過他在得點圈有人的打擊率也差不多這個數字就是了), 他十次被選進明星隊, 八次奪得銀棒獎, 四次贏得單季全壘打王, 拿下兩個年度MVP獎座, 還加上兩次金手套獎以及一次打擊王頭銜
And yet A-Rod routinely is treated like the guy in the dunk tank at the county fair, even, most incriminating of all, by his peers. In the past two years he's been called out by Boston pitcher Curt Schilling ("bush league"), Red Sox outfielder Trot Nixon ("He can't stand up to Jeter in my book, or Bernie Williams or Posada"), Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen ("hypocrite") and New York Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca (who accused him on the field of showing up the Mets by admiring a home run too long).
不過A-Rod卻始終被像是園遊會中等著被丟進水池中的討厭鬼, 不受其他球員的歡迎, 過去兩年間, 他已經多次被捲入和他隊球員的舌戰中, 對象包含紅襪隊的Curt Schilling和Trot Nixon, 白襪隊的總教練Ozzie Guillen以及大都會的Paul Lo Duca
"One thing people don't like," said one teammate, "is his body language. Too much of what he does on the field looks ... scripted."
“其中一個人們不喜歡他的理由是…” 一 個隊友說道 “…他的肢體語言, 太多他在球場上的舉動都像是照著事先寫好的劇本演出一樣”
I asked Rodriguez why criticism of him from inside and outside the game is so amplified. "We know why," he said.
問到A-Rod為何關於他的批評, 無論是來自場內或是場外, 都如此猛烈時, “你我都很清楚原因何在”他答道
The contract? That 10-year, $252 million deal that no one has come close to matching for six years? He nodded.
是因為那天價合約嗎? 那個六年來沒有任何人可以接近更別提超越的十年兩億五千萬美金合約? 他點點頭
"But I don't expect people to feel sorry for me," he said. "My teammates get more upset about the criticism and booing than I do. A hundred players have come to third base and said, 'This is bulls---. You're having a great year.' You wonder why it bothers players so much. Tim Salmon, Andruw Jones, Chipper Jones, Garret Anderson ... I could throw you a hundred names. They're looking at the scoreboard and saying, 'This guy's got 90 RBIs and I've got 47, and I'm getting cheered?'
“我並不預期人們對他們的所作所為感到抱歉” 他說道”我的隊友們比我更不滿那些批評和噓聲, 至少上百個對手上到三壘時會對我說”那全是狗屁, 你今年的表現明明就很棒”, 你不由得好奇為何這些球員比我還要在意這些噓聲, Tim Salmon, Andruw Jones, Chipper Jones, Garret Anderson…我可以唸出上百個名字, 這些人都會看著計分板然後自問, ”這傢伙打了90分打點而我卻只有47分, 但我卻得到球迷的歡呼?” ”
"My agent, Scott Boras, was talking about [Oakland third baseman] Eric Chavez, who's a great player. He's hitting .235. He's got 16 home runs, 43 ribbies? This guy is getting cheered every time he comes up to the plate. If I can look back on 2006 and see I made 25 errors, hit .285 and drove in 125, I mean, has God really been that bad to me?"
“我的經紀人Scott Boras有一次提到運動家的三壘手Eric Chavez, 他是個傑出的球員, 不過他的數據是打擊率.235, 16支全壘打加上43分打點, 他卻在每次上場打擊時得到球迷的熱烈歡呼, 當我有一天回頭看我2006年的成績, 看到紀錄本上寫著25個失誤, 打擊率.285加上125分打點時, 我會開始懷疑, 這樣的數據算是表現不佳嗎?”
"Alex doesn't know who he is," Giambi said in late August. "We're going to find out who he is in the next couple of months."
“Alex不清楚他的重要性何在” Giambi在八月底的一次訪問中說道 “我們也將藉由接下來幾個月的比賽來檢視他是否真的對我們那麼重要”
October is the foundry of Yankees legend. It's why Scott Brosius will never have to buy another meal in New York, though the third baseman was a career .257 hitter, including .245 with a dreadful .278 on-base percentage in the playoffs. But Brosius had a couple of huge hits, and the Yankees were 11-1 in postseason series with him.
十月對洋基來說是打造棒球傳奇的舞台, 這也是為何Scott Brosius會在紐約如此受到愛戴的原因, 雖然這個三壘手生涯打擊率只有.257, 其中季後賽的打擊率是.245, 而上壘率更是慘不忍睹的.278, 但他在季後賽中的幾次關鍵演出加上有他在陣的洋基隊, 季後賽戰績是令人吃驚的11勝1敗, 讓他深得紐約客的心
For all his career achievements, Rodriguez cannot become a made Yankee without a memorable October. He won the AL MVP award last year, but what stuck to him was his 2-for-15 showing in a Division Series loss to the Angels. It reinforced his disappearance during New York's historic 2004 ALCS collapse to Boston. Until Game 4 of that series, Rodriguez had hit .372 and slugged .640 in 22 career postseason games. But since then he has hit .125 (4 for 32) and slugged .250 while the Yankees have gone 2-7. It's unfair, of course, but to find real acceptance in New York, Rodriguez must win a ring as a Yankee.
縱使有著眾多個人獎項的榮耀加身, 如果無法在十月有著令人印象深刻的演出, 他將永遠無法被認同是洋基的驕傲, 去年他雖然贏得美聯的年度最有價值球員獎座, 但他在洋基輸給天使的美聯分區系列戰中15個打數只擊出2支安打的表現才是真正留在球迷心中的記憶, 而他在2004年分區冠軍戰洋基輸給紅襪的歷史性戰役中的突然消失, 更是讓人印象深刻, 在該系列戰的第四場比賽進行前, A-Rod在總計22場的季後賽出場中打擊率高達.372, 長打率.640, 但自從第四戰之後, 他的季後賽打擊率僅有.125(32個打數4支安打)而長打率更只有.250, 而這段期間, 洋基的季後賽戰績是令人難堪的2勝7敗 , 用這些數據來評斷A-Rod當然有失公平, 不過當你想要真正贏得紐約球迷的認同時, 以洋基球員的身分拿到冠軍戒指是唯一的標準
Not that A-Rod believes he has all that much that needs to be redeemed this season. His extreme slump -- not his word, of course -- that peaked in Anaheim didn't seem so bad to him. "Reggie hit .230 one year," Rodriguez said. "That's awful. He struck out 170-something times in a year. I don't care who you are, extremes are just part of the game. I was awful [in Anaheim], but Jeter was 0 for 32 [in 2004], Mo blew three games in one week [last year].... Everybody goes through it."
A-Rod本人並不覺得他需要為這個球季的表現做出任何補救動作, 這個在洋基作客安納漢的系列戰時降到最低點的嚴重低潮, 對他來說並不是太大的問題, "Reggie有一年球季打擊率也不過只有.230 " A-Rod說道 “那實在是慘不忍睹, 他在那一年被三振次數大概有170幾次, 無論你是誰, 高低潮都是無法避免的, 我在安納漢的表現很糟沒錯, 但是Jeter也曾經連續32個打數沒有安打(2004年球季), Mo也曾經在一個禮拜之中三次救援失敗(去年球季)…每個球員都會有面對低潮的時候”
Rodriguez isn't the only Yankee who needs a good October. When he looks around the clubhouse, he sees more teammates who have never won a title in New York than those who have. And thanks to the Rangers' picking up $67 million of the money left on his contract when he was traded to New York, Rodriguez can find three players in the same room to whom the Yankees are paying more this year -- Jeter ($21 million), Giambi ($19 million) and righthander Mike Mussina ($19 million) -- and a fourth, lefthander Randy Johnson, to whom they pay an equal amount ($16 million). Next year the Yankees will pay outfielder Bobby Abreu ($17.5 million) more than Rodriguez, making A-Rod a veritable bargain. I point out all of this to Rodriguez early this month as we walk underneath the first base stands at Yankee Stadium toward the indoor batting cage.
A-Rod並非洋基陣中唯一需要藉由季後賽傑出表現來證明自己價值的球員, 環顧球員休息室, 尚未為洋基拿到冠軍戒指的隊友甚至多過曾經辦到的人, 感謝遊騎兵隊願意分擔他天價合約中的六千七百萬美元額度, 在洋基陣中有三位球員從洋基老闆的口袋中拿到比A-Rod更多的薪水 – Jeter(兩千一百萬), Giambi(一千九百萬), 以及Mussina(一千九百萬), 另外還有和A-Rod並駕齊驅的Randy Johnson(一千六百萬), 下個球季洋基要付給Bobby Abreu的薪水(一千七百五十萬)也將超越A-Rod, 這讓A-Rod的交易看起來簡直划算到不行, 本月初, 在一次和A-Rod一同走向洋基球場中的室內打擊練習場時的談話中, 我向他提及這些數據
"Mussina doesn't get hammered at all," he said. "He's making a boatload of money. Giambi's making [$20.4 million], which is fine and dandy, but it seems those guys get a pass. When people write [bad things] about me, I don't know if it's [because] I'm good-looking, I'm biracial, I make the most money, I play on the most popular team...."
“Mussina從來沒有因為這個原因遭到指責…” 他回應道 “…他可也是領著天價薪水, Giambi一樣坐擁高薪, 但他們卻也同時有著不受批評的權利, 每次當記者寫了些不利於我的報導時, 我不了解他們之所以攻擊我是因為我長得帥, 因為我是混血兒, 還是因為我賺最多錢, 或是因為我效力於最受歡迎的球隊…”
He laughed easily, his mood still bright after a Yankee Stadium curtain call the previous day in which Torre told him the fans wanted him, prompting Rodriguez to observe, "I'm very shy when I play. I always wonder, If I was an a------ and a very flamboyant guy, how much attention could I really call to myself?"
他輕鬆自若地笑著, 他的心情從昨晚在洋基球場的比賽中, Torre要求他出場向全場為他歡呼的球迷致意之後, 就一直相當愉悅, “比賽中的我總是相當羞怯, 我老是不停地問自己, 如果我是個個性混帳但同時表現傑出的球員, 我到底能吸引多少球迷的注意呢?”
Yet that shyness has been his undoing. Rodriguez suffers from an astonishing lack of competitive arrogance proportionate to his immense skill. Jackson, for instance, hates the way A-Rod does his pretty peacock-preening practice swings and then lacks any physical presence once he steps in. Even his infamous gut reaction to Boston pitcher Bronson Arroyo's trying to tag him along the first base line in the 2004 ALCS -- Rodriguez awkwardly slapped Arroyo's glove rather than bulldozing the pitcher or first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz -- was a window into his softer side.
儘管害羞似乎從來都不是A-Rod的問題, A-Rod的問題在於擁有超常的能力卻沒有足以匹配且帶競爭性的傲慢, 舉Jackson為例, 他一向相當不滿為何A-Rod在上場打擊前的揮棒練習可以做出華麗且帶點炫燿性的誇張動作, 但是一旦踏入場內又往往缺乏存在感, 即使在2004分區冠軍戰中一次不太名譽的情緒性反應中 – 當時紅襪投手Bronson Arroyo試著在他跑向一壘時觸殺他, A-Rod也只是笨拙地拍了Arroyo的手套而不是挺身向投手或是一壘手嗆聲, 這也說明了他個性中軟弱的一面
Rodriguez knows reporters' names and their affiliates and will often ask them questions about themselves, a rarity among ballplayers. This solicitousness can be awkward, even detrimental, in the socially stunted environment of a clubhouse and the brutally demanding environment of Yankee Stadium. His blood may not run cold enough.
A-Rod記得所有記者以及工作人員的姓名, 並且時常關心他們的生活, 這在球員當中是相當難得一見的特質, 不過這種對他人的關懷在洋基球團中看來是相當格格不入甚至對自己不利的, 他似乎還不夠冷血
"You know what you are?" Jackson said to Rodriguez in the New York clubhouse last Thursday. "You're too nice."
“你知道你的問題是什麼嗎?” 上週四在球員休息室中Jackson這麼告訴A-Rod “你太過於友善了”
With a hitter as talented as Rodriguez, it would seem inevitable that after the drought would come a deluge. ("No," says Rodriguez, "because you don't believe it's inevitable when you can't hit the ball out in batting practice.") On Aug. 31 in the Bronx he banged out three hits against the Detroit Tigers, only his second three-hit game at home since the All-Star break. That triggered a 9-for-17 tear in which Rodriguez smashed five home runs, including one that looked so much like a routine fly-out off the bat that Torre yelled to the runners, "Tag up." Four hundred fifty feet later the ball landed in the black seats beyond centerfield. "Once you're relaxed, you react to the [pitch]," Torre said. "He's reacting to the ball, not predetermining what he was going to do, like before."
對任何一個擁有著和A-Rod同樣天賦的打者來說, 你可以期待他在克服低潮之後將會有極為傑出的表現(“我不這麼認為” A-Rod說道 “當你在打擊練習中都無法打好時, 你就不會相信低潮之後總有高潮的說法了”), 八月31日對上老虎隊的比賽中, A-Rod單場擊出了三支安打, 這僅僅是他在整個下半季第二次有如此傑出表現, 之後幾場比賽, 他在17個打數中擊出包含5支全壘打在內的9支安打, 其中一支全壘打在被擊出瞬間看起來根本就像是個見高不見遠的高飛球, Torre甚至還向壘上跑者大喊”留在壘包上”, 不過最終這球足足飛了450呎, 落在了中外野的觀眾席上, “當你放鬆自己時, 你就能自然地對投手投出的球做出反應” Torre說道 “他就只是本能地作出反應, 並沒有預期這顆球最終將落在何處, 就像過去的他一樣”
Rodriguez hasn't stopped hitting, either, batting .360 since that breakout game as the Yankees, comfortably in control of the AL East, play carefree baseball. He rediscovered his smooth footwork in the field, and his hands felt faster at the plate. He began to wait long enough on pitches to drive them hard to centerfield and rightfield, the satisfying confirmation for a righthanded hitter, like a wink from a pretty girl, that life is good.
A-Rod的手感還持續發熱, 自從那場對上老虎隊的比賽後, 他的打擊率高達.360, 而洋基的戰績也繼續笑傲美聯東區, A-Rod重新找回了他在守備時的順暢腳法, 以及打擊時的揮棒速度, 他也開始等到最後一刻才出棒然後將球狠狠地撈到中右外野, 這對右打者來說是個令人欣慰的現象
After the home runs Rodriguez would credit Torre for helping to put the groove back in his swing. Under the stadium on a cool, wet night in which October seemed so close, I thought about that meeting Torre had with A-Rod in Seattle and had one last question:
在再度擊出一支又一支的全壘打之後, A-Rod將其狀態回復歸功於Torre, 在某個寒冷潮濕的夜裡, 季後賽看來就近在咫尺, 身在洋基球場中的我腦中想著那場Torre和A-Rod間的談話, 提了最後一個問題 :
What was Joe's main message?
到底Joe試圖傳達給你的主要訊息是什麼？
Rodriguez rolled the question around in his head for a moment. He hesitated, "Uh ..." and then answered with this: "'We need you.'"
這個問題在A-Rod腦中停留許久, “恩…” 他遲疑了一下, 然後接著說道 “我們需要你”
Issue date: September 25, 2006
Despite his extraordinary numbers, New York fans are quick to discount his contributions. And when things go wrong for A-Rod, even his teammates find him hard to motivate and harder to understand
By Tom Verducci
"Joe wants to see you."
“Joe想要見你”
Alex Rodriguez still was weak from a throat infection that had confined him to his Seattle hotel room for the New York Yankees' game the previous night -- not to mention forced him to cancel a recording session for his ringtone endorsement deal -- when he walked into the visitors' clubhouse at Safeco Field on Aug. 24 and was told to go to manager Joe Torre's office. Torre asked him to close the door, then motioned to the blue leather couch in the smallish room. "Sit down."
A-Rod仍然因為他的喉嚨發炎而感到身體不適, 這也是讓他前晚留在西雅圖的飯店房間內休息而未幫洋基出賽的原因, 而原先安排好要為電信業者錄製手機鈴聲的計畫也被迫取消, 當他在缺席比賽的隔天(8/24)踏入Safeco Field的客隊休息室時, 他被告知總教練想要見他, 進入辦公室後, Torre要他把房門關上, 走到了皮沙發旁, 示意要他坐下
The richest and most talented player in baseball was in trouble. Rodriguez could not hit an average fastball, could not swat home runs in batting practice with any regularity, could not field a ground ball or throw from third base with an uncluttered mind and cooperative feet, could not step to the plate at Yankee Stadium without being booed and could not -- though he seemed unaware of this -- find full support in his own clubhouse.
這個棒球場上收入最高也最有天份的球員, 現在有了大麻煩, 他不但打不到普通的速球, 在打擊練習時也無法將球打出牆外, 無法處理一個再平凡不過的滾地球或是將球從三壘平穩地傳向一壘, 他甚至無法避免在每次踏上洋基球場準備打擊時面對滿場球迷排山倒海而來的噓聲, 更糟糕的是, 他甚至得不到自己球隊的全力支持, 而他似乎尚未體認到這個事實
For 11 summers Rodriguez had been the master of self-sufficiency, a baseball Narcissus who found pride and comfort gazing upon the reflection of his beautiful statistics. His game, like his appearance, was wrinkle-free. Indeed, in December 2003, when the Red Sox were frantically trying to acquire Rodriguez from the Texas Rangers, several Boston executives called on Rodriguez in his New York hotel suite after 1 a.m. Rodriguez answered the door in a perfectly pressed suit, tie knotted tight to his stiff collar. The Red Sox officials found such polished attire at such a late hour odd, even unsettling.
過去11年間, A-Rod一直都是個極為自負甚至自戀的球員, 因為他完美的數據成績讓他有足夠的理由這樣做, 他的表現就像他的外表一樣毫無瑕疵, 在2003年12月的某個過了凌晨一點的深夜, 當時渴望將A-Rod納入陣中的紅襪隊高階主管們到A-Rod在紐約投宿的飯店房間拜訪他, 當時前來應門的A-Rod身穿著搭配完美的西裝, 對來訪的紅襪主管們來說, 在這樣的深夜身穿這樣正式的服裝實在是有說不出的詭異
But then Rodriguez has long been the major league equivalent of the prettiest girl in high school who also gets straight A's, which is to say he is viewed with equal parts admiration and resentment. The A-Rod of 2006 was different, though -- unhinged and, in a baseball sense, unkempt. "My seasons have always been so easy," says Rodriguez. "This year hasn't been easy." He adds that his wife, Cynthia, in helping him with his struggles, encouraged him to "turn to the Lord for guidance."
一直以來, A-Rod給人的印象就像是在高中時期全校最漂亮又同時成績優異的女生一般, 讓人又愛又恨, 但是2006年的A-Rod給人截然不同的觀感, 他在棒球場上的表現可說是一團糟, “過去幾個球季實在是太過順利了” A-Rod說道 “但這個球季卻完全不是那麼一回事” 現在他的老婆Cynthia也試著幫助陷入低潮的他, 鼓勵他向宗教尋求心靈上的慰藉
With the boost of a September surge Rodriguez's final numbers will look, as usual, stellar. (At week's end he was hitting .287, with 33 homers and 114 RBIs.) But even Rodriguez admitted early this month that his statistics can't erase the pain he felt during his three-month slip into a dark abyss, when he lost his confidence, withered under media and fan pressure, and, some teammates believe, worked a little too hard at keeping up appearances -- displaying "a false confidence," New York first baseman Jason Giambi said. The slump (a word Rodriguez refuses to utter) revealed that for all his gifts, A-Rod may never be seen by Yankees traditionalists as worthy of his pinstripes.
由於九月的大量進補, A-Rod本季的最終數據將還是和過去幾個球季一樣耀眼, 但他本人也已經表示即便有著漂亮的數據, 也無法讓他忘懷那為期三個月猶如置身地獄的低潮期, 當時他在媒體和球迷的壓力之下完全失去自信, 甚至部份隊友還認為他之所以表現不佳是因為花了太多心思在自己的外表上, 套一句Jason Giambi的話來說, 企圖塑造出一種”偽裝的自信” , 他所面臨的低潮也讓傳統的洋基支持者認為他對不起身上所穿的條紋球衣
Yet there's still another chapter to be written in the story of his season. He still, God help him, has October.
但這個糟糕的球季對他而言尚未結束, 還有著殘酷的季後賽考驗等待著他去面對
Torre had been concerned about Rodriguez and his game for weeks before he called him into his office. Effort hadn't been the issue. If anything, he 31-year-old Rodriguez works too hard, crams too many bits of information into his head. He even studies videotape shot from centerfield cameras to see if he can decode patterns in catchers' signal sequences with a runner on second base.
在把他叫進辦公室之前, Torre已經觀察A-Rod和他的比賽狀態好一陣子了, “不夠勤奮”對A-Rod來說從來都不是一個問題, 如果真有問題存在, 肯定是這位31歲的明星球員過於努力並且試圖在腦袋中塞入過量的資訊, 他甚至還研究中外野攝影機所拍攝到的畫面, 企圖破解捕手在二壘上有跑者時對其隊友打出的暗號
"I can't help that I'm a bright person," he said last month. "I know that's not a great quote to give, but I can't pretend to play dumb and stupid."
“我就是這麼一個聰明的球員” A-Rod說道 “我知道這並不是很適當的發言, 不過我就是無法假裝自己是個笨蛋”
What bothered Torre most was Rodriguez's seeming obliviousness to how badly he was playing. In June, for instance, hitting coach Don Mattingly ordered Rodriguez into the cage and sternly lectured him on the flaws in his swing, which Mattingly thought A-Rod had been unwilling to address. "An intervention," Mattingly called it. "He got to a pretty good point with [his swing], but it lasted only a few days and he went right back to where he was."
最為困擾著Torre的是, A-Rod似乎沒有意識到自己的表現有多麼糟糕, 舉例來說, 今年六月的某一天, 打擊教練Don Mattingly要求A-Rod進入打擊練習區, 然後嚴厲地指出A-Rod揮棒動作中的瑕疵, 當時他認為A-Rod本人並沒意識到這些問題, 而自己有義務幫他做些調整, “當時他的揮棒動作的確有所改善, 不過這樣的認知和調整只持續了幾天, 他又回到了老樣子”
In the 80 games the Yankees played from June 1 to Aug. 30 -- almost half a season -- Rodriguez hit .257 with 81 strikeouts while committing 13 errors. Tabloids mocked him. Talk radio used him for kindling. "I haven't seen anything like it since I've been here," said reliever Mariano Rivera, in his 12th year as a Yankee, of the rough treatment.
從6/1日到8/30日的80場比賽中, A-Rod交出了打擊率.257, 81次三振以及13個失誤的成績, 報章雜誌開始嘲笑他, 電台脫口秀拿他當做笑柄, “自從我加入洋基隊以來, 我從來沒看過這樣的情況” 對於媒體大眾拿A-Rod的低潮大作文章, 穿上條紋球衣已經第12年的Mariano Rivera這麼說道
Torre hit .363 with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1971 and .289 the following season, giving him a deep understanding of the ebb and flow of performance. With veteran players especially he operates like an old fisherman checking the tide charts, believing that the worst of times only means the best is to come. Rodriguez will hit, he thought, and he kept telling his third baseman exactly that.
Torre在1971年效力於聖路易紅雀隊時打擊率高達.363, 但在接下來的球季他僅僅交出打擊率.289的成績, 這也讓他深刻了解到球員的表現總有高低起伏, 對於一些面臨低潮的老將, Torre的做法就像是仔細確認潮汐表的老漁夫一樣, 相信低潮暗示著即將來臨的高潮, A-Rod將會恢復狀態, Torre這麼認為, 而他也一直這麼鼓勵A-Rod
Torre's trademark placidity ended, though, when Giambi asked to talk to Torre in Seattle. "Skip," Giambi told Torre, "it's time to stop coddling him."
當Giambi向Torre提出關於處理A-Rod低潮的建言時, 一向沉穩的Torre動搖了, “不能在這樣下去了” Giambi這麼向Torre說道 “是時候停止對他(A-Rod)的溺愛了”
For all the scorn heaped upon Giambi for his ties to the BALCO steroid scandal, he is a strong clubhouse voice because he plays with a passion that stirs teammates and even opponents. This season, for instance, he reprimanded his former Oakland A's teammate, Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada, for occasionally showing up late to games out of frustration over another losing Baltimore season. "You're better than that," he told Tejada. So Giambi's gripe about Rodriguez sounded an alarm with Torre.
當人們因為Giambi的禁藥官司而指責他時, 他仍然是洋基陣中講話最具份量的球員, 因為他對比賽的熱情不只感染了自己的隊友, 甚至還影響了對手, 舉例來說, 他在Miguel Tejada因為球隊本季表現不佳而深感挫折, 甚至因此時常缺席賽前練習時公開對這位他在運動家隊的前隊友喊話, “你的表現不應只是如此” 他這麼對Tejada說, 因此Giambi對A-Rod的擔憂, 對Torre來說不啻是敲響了警鐘
"What Jason said made me realize that I had to go at it a different way," Torre says. "When the rest of the team starts noticing things, you have to get it fixed. That's my job. I like to give individuals what I believe is the room they need, but when I sense that other people are affected, teamwise, I have to find a solution to it."
“Jason的一番話讓我了解到是時候採取其他方法了” Torre說道”當隊中其他人都開始意識到問題存在時, 你必須想辦法解決問題, 這也就是我的工作, 一直以來我習慣給球員適當的空間讓他們試著改善問題, 不過當我感覺到其他隊員也受到影響時, 就是我得出面尋求解答的時候了”
The players' confidence in Rodriguez was eroding as they sensed that he did not understand how much his on-field struggles were hurting the club. Said one Yankees veteran, "It was always about the numbers in [Seattle and Texas] for him. And that doesn't matter here. Winning is all you're judged on here."
當隊友們認為A-Rod並未意識到他在場上的差勁表現已經影響了球隊整體時, 他們對於A-Rod的信心也開始逐漸消逝, 一位洋基陣中的老將如此說道”對他(A-Rod)而言, 低潮帶來的影響是數據的滑落, 不過個人數據對球隊來說並不是那麼重要, 勝利是我們用來評斷球員的唯一標準”
Before Giambi went to Torre, he had scolded Rodriguez after a 13-5 win in Boston on Aug. 19. Irked that Rodriguez left four runners on base in the first three innings against a shaky Josh Beckett, Giambi thought A-Rod needed to be challenged. "We're all rooting for you and we're behind you 100 percent," Giambi recalls telling Rodriguez, "but you've got to get the big hit."
在向Torre提出建言之前, Giambi在8/19日洋基以13-5擊敗紅襪隊的比賽結束後, 就曾經針對A-Rod在比賽前三局面對狀況不佳的Josh Beckett卻無法對球隊做出貢獻, 甚至還留下四個殘壘的差勁演出當面指責A-Rod, Giambi認為該是有人出面點醒A-Rod的時候了, “我們全都相信你, 我們也都百分之百的支持你” Giambi重述當時對A-Rod所說的話 “現在該是你為球隊做出貢獻的時候了”
"What do you mean?" was Rodriguez's response, according to Giambi. "I've had five hits in Boston."
“你這是什麼意思?” 在Giambi的印象中, A-Rod是這麼回應的 “我在對上紅襪隊的系列戰中打出了五支安打”
"You f------ call those hits?" Giambi said. "You had two f------ dinkers to rightfield and a ball that bounced over the third baseman! Look at how many pitches you missed!
“你他媽的稱那做安打” Giambi如此回答 “你打了兩支右外野方向的鳥安還有一次內野高彈跳球剛好越過三壘手頭頂 ! 看看你自己錯失了多少進攻機會 ! ”
"When you hit three, four or five [in the order], you have to get the big hits, especially if they're going to walk Bobby [Abreu] and me. I'll help you out until you get going. I'll look to drive in runs when they pitch around me, go after that 3-and-1 pitch that might be a ball. But if they're going to walk Bobby and me, you're going to have to be the guy."
“當你擔任三四五棒時, 你就必須要有一棒擊沉的能力, 尤其是當對方投手試著保送Bobby和我時, 我會一直幫助你直到你找回狀態, 我也會在他們試著閃躲我時想辦法為球隊打下分數, 即使當時球數是一好三壞而對方投手八成會再多投個壞球給我的狀態下, 不過一旦對手真的保送了我和Bobby,那就是你該挺身而出為球隊做出貢獻的時候了”
(Asked about Giambi's pep talk, Rodriguez said he could not remember what was discussed, though he added, "I'm sure we had a conversation.")
(向A-Rod求證關於Giambi的精神喊話內容, A-Rod表示他已經記不得對話內容了, 不過他也承認 ”我們的確有過一番談話”)
In Seattle, Torre looked at Rodriguez squarely and said, "This is all about honesty. And it's not about anybody else but you. You can't pretend everything is O.K. when it's not. You have to face the reality that you're going through a tough time, and then work from there."
在西雅圖, Torre用堅定的眼神看著A-Rod說”真正重要的是你是否對自己誠實, 別人怎麼看你並不重要, 當事情不對勁時你不能只是假裝一切如常, 你必須接受你正處於低潮的事實, 然後試著克服它”
It was as close to a tongue-lashing as the low-key Torre ever gets. When the manager comes down on a player, he will mix in the occasional profanity, but his voice remains even and there are no threats. Here his hammer was in the rebuke that Rodriguez's unwillingness to address his slump head-on was letting himself and the team down. Torre told him he needed to show some fight, some anger even, rather than continuing to act as if he were doing just fine.
對一向作風低調的Torre來說, 這樣一番話的嚴厲程度已經算是相當嚴重了, 每當Torre斥責球員時, 縱使他的用詞會稍微嚴厲些, 但他的語調還是一如往常的平靜, 不帶威脅性, 而這次Torre試圖讓A-Rod了解, 他不願正視自己身處低潮的態度, 已經對他本人及球隊造成了傷害, Torre要他展現出面對低潮的決心, 甚至以憤怒作為表達決心的形式, 都好過試圖粉飾太平的態度
Rodriguez maintained eye contact while Torre spoke and nodded repeatedly. His only sign of discomfort was that he kept twirling his wedding ring around his finger. When Torre was done, he asked A-Rod if he understood what he had just told him. "Yes, 100 percent," Rodriguez said firmly.
在兩人談話過程中, A-Rod保持和Torre的眼神接觸並且不斷地點頭, 唯一看得出來他還是有點不太自在的線索, 就是他不斷地轉動著自己手指上的婚戒, 當訓話告一段落時, Torre問A-Rod是否完全了解他所說的話用意何在, “當然, 我完全了解” A-Rod的回答十分肯定
Earlier this month, in recalling the meeting with Torre, Rodriguez said, "Oh, he was real tough. That was the toughest he's been on me."
本月稍早, 當記者問到A-Rod關於該次談話的內容時, A-Rod回答 “恩…那的確是次相當嚴厲的訓話, 他從來沒對我說過這麼重的話”
On the night of the meeting Rodriguez struck out as a pinch hitter to end the game. He whacked the dugout railing with his bat, walked up the runway and into the clubhouse, and picked up a folding chair and threw it.
兩人談話的當晚, A-Rod以代打身分上場打擊遭到三振而結束了該場比賽, 離開打擊區後, A-Rod用球棒重擊了休息區的欄杆, 並且在走回休息室的路上隨手拿起一旁的折椅, 狠狠地將其摔向遠方
Two days and seven more embarrassing strikeouts later, it seemed as if the meeting with Torre had never happened. It was late afternoon at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, so late that the concession and maintenance workers were long gone as Rodriguez walked through the empty labyrinth of service tunnels from the clubhouse to a rightfield parking lot. "It's not a big deal," he said. "It's only two games. Back in 1999 I was 5 for 81 [actually 6 for 62] and got an 0-and-2 fastball from Esteban Yan over my head and hit it out, and I was fine. This is nothing like that. It's only two games."
談話過後的兩場比賽, A-Rod共計被三振了七次, 看起來就像那場對話從來沒發生過一樣, 某個下午在天使隊球場, 比賽已經結束許久, 甚至連負責球場養護的工作人員都早已離開球場, 而A-Rod正試圖從休息室經由迷宮般的通道到達右外野方向的停車場, “這並沒有什麼大不了的” A-Rod說道 “這不過是兩場比賽罷了, 還記得1999年時我曾經歷經81個打數只擊出5支安打(事實上是62個打數擊出6支安打)的低潮, 最終我還是克服它了, 最近的比賽比起當時的狀況來說實在不算什麼, 就不過是兩場比賽罷了”
It was classic A-Rod: the instant recall of his numbers, the whistling past the graveyard of a slump that was much deeper than two days. He has already hit into more double plays than ever before, and he most likely will exceed his career highs in strikeouts and errors. Rodriguez also hadn't come to terms with his teammates' sense that he wasn't doing enough to shake things up. Torre and his coaches, for instance, lingered late in the Angel Stadium clubhouse on the previous night trying to decide what to do about Rodriguez. Some wanted him dropped in the lineup. Torre came down on the side of moving him up to second in the order.
這就是最典型的A-Rod式反應: 馬上引用自己過去的紀錄, 證明比起之前那地獄般的低潮來說, 兩場比賽的數字真的無法說明些什麼, 不過他今年球季打出的雙殺打已經創下生涯新高, 他的三振和失誤次數看來也將打破其生涯紀錄, 但他卻尚未如隊友預期般地作出決心克服低潮的努力, 就在前一天晚上, 洋基的教練團還在天使球場中待到深夜, 試圖決定該如何處置A-Rod, 其中有些人認為應該把A-Rod暫時放到板凳上, 但Torre最終決定先將他的打序調整到第二棒
Despite taking 45 minutes of batting practice after the game that day, Rodriguez continued to flail away, in the midst of what would be a 2-for-20 stretch with 14 strikeouts. Like a blindfolded kid hacking at a piñata, he missed the baseball 19 of the 36 times he swung the bat.
儘管在賽後花了45分鐘進行打擊練習, A-Rod的表現還是沒有起色, 那段時間他在20個打數中僅擊出2支安打, 被三振了14次, 他在打擊區的表現就像是個盲劍客一般, 36次的揮擊中有19次揮棒落空
Said centerfielder Johnny Damon during that West Coast trip, "His swing is so mechanical. He's too good to be swinging like that. Just let it flow. See the ball and react to it. And sometimes you need to do whatever you can, especially with two strikes or with runners on, to get the job done. He's not doing that."
在洋基遠征西岸的客場作戰期間, 中外野手Johnny Damon曾經說道, “他現在的揮棒動作實在太過機械化了, 他的能力不應該只是如此, 他所該做的, 就是順從自己的直覺, 看到球就本能地作出反應, 此外, 作為一個球員, 有些任務你就是得盡一切努力去完成, 特別是當你球數落後或是有隊友在壘包上時更是如此, 而目前的他並無法做到這一點”
"He's guessing," Giambi said, "and he's doing a bad job of it, which is inevitable when you guess as often as he guesses. He's squeezing the f------ sawdust out of the bat."
“他根本是在猜球” Giambi說道 “而且他連猜都猜不準, 當一個球員像他一樣都只是靠盲目的猜測來打球時, 你根本無法期待他能把球打好, 他所做的不過就是試著把球棒上的灰塵甩掉罷了”
Said another teammate, "I think he ought to get his eyes checked. I'm not kidding. I don't think he's seeing the ball."
另一位隊友說道 “我想他需要去做個視力檢查, 這並不是個玩笑話, 我認為他現在似乎連看到球都有困難”
And another: "I honestly think he might be afraid of the ball."
還有隊友這麼說 “說老實話, 我覺得他可能對球有恐懼感”
Every clubhouse has a unique current, like that of a river, with a temperature and a pace that can be felt only by wading into it. The A's, taking their cue from general manager Billy Beane's shorts and flip-flops, play as if it's Friday happy hour. The Atlanta Braves, eschewing the clubhouse stereo, have a self-assured, nine-to-five approach. The Yankees, the last baseball bastion in which beards and individualism are verboten, foster a Prussian efficiency.
每個球隊都有其與眾不同的氣氛, 只有當你置身其中才能真正感受到, 以運動家隊為例, 他們的風格就像總是身穿短褲及夾腳拖鞋的總經理Billy Beane一樣, 如同置身週五happy hour般; 至於勇士隊, 則是和傳統球隊的典型大異其趣, 有著其自訂的準則, 以及猶如標準上班族般地管理方式; 而洋基隊, 則是藉由禁止球員蓄鬍及反對個人主義, 建立了一支有著德國人般效率的球隊
The old guard with connections to New York's four championship seasons from 1996 to 2000 -- Torre, Rivera, shortstop Derek Jeter, catcher Jorge Posada and outfielder Bernie Williams -- almost never talks about individual numbers because stats are incidental to the team's mission: winning the World Series. Those title teams talked about "passing the baton" -- taking a walk or moving a runner over out of confidence in and respect for the next hitter. Reliance on one another is what mattered. That is still the covenant of the Yankees, though perhaps not as sublimely executed.
幾個曾經經歷1996-2000年間四個冠軍球季的洋基成員 – Torre, Rivera, Jeter, Posada和Bernie Williams – 幾乎從來不曾談論過個人的數據表現 , 因為對洋基來說, 球隊的唯一目標就是獲得世界大賽冠軍, 其他都不值一提, 這種冠軍球隊真正在意的是每個球員如何有效地讓球隊的攻勢延續下去, 想辦法讓自己上壘或是幫助壘上的隊友推進, 然後信賴下一棒的隊友也將會對球隊做出一樣的貢獻, 這才是洋基作為一個球隊所真正重視的, 儘管有時並沒有被確實執行, 但這始終是洋基不變的信念
One day last month, wading into that current, I asked Rodriguez whom he has relied on most during his difficult summer. He first mentioned Cynthia.
上個月的某天, 我問A-Rod當他在今年夏天面臨低潮時, 誰是他最依賴的人, 他第一個提到的名字是他的老婆Cynthia
But to whom has he turned on this Yankees team?
在洋基陣中有這樣的人嗎 ?
He looked down and thought in silence. Ten seconds passed.
他看了看地面, 沉思了一會兒
Finally he said, "Rob Thomson." Thomson is the team's special-assignment coach who throws batting practice.
十秒鐘過去後, 他總算開了口” Rob Thomson” , Thomson是洋基的特別任務教練, 負責在打擊練習時做餵球的工作
"And Mo. Mariano is the best. Those three."
“還有Mo, 他是最棒的, 我想就是這三個人吧”
And that was it.
就這樣
As the conscience and soul of the team, Rivera is everyone's touchstone. When asked if he had counseled Rodriguez this summer, Rivera said, "He has my support, [but] he has to figure it out on his own. Sometimes you try so hard to do things so right that you do them all wrong. It's like moving in quicksand. The more you move, the more you sink."
作為球隊的良知和靈魂, Rivera是所有人的試金石, 當被問到在今年夏天他是否曾經輔導過A-Rod, Rivera答道”我全力支持他, 不過有些問題他還是得自己想辦法克服, 有時我們太過努力地想要把事情做對, 但結果卻是大錯特錯, 就像被困在流沙中時, 你越是移動, 只會越陷越深 ”
As revered as Rivera is, though, no one is more important to the Yankees' clubhouse culture than the captain, the 32-year-old Jeter. As younger players Rodriguez and Jeter enjoyed a close friendship, often staying with each other when the Yankees faced the Mariners. But they have had little personal connection since 2001, when Rodriguez referred to Jeter as a number-two hitter in an Esquire story, code for a complementary player. Giambi referred last month to "the heat that exists between them."
32歲且和Rivera一樣備受尊重的隊長Jeter, 無疑是洋基陣中最重要的人物, 他和A-Rod曾經是相當親密的朋友, 每當洋基和水手對戰時, 他們總是習慣到對方家裡作客, 不過兩人的友情在2001年時幾乎畫下終點, 當時A-Rod在接受Esquire雜誌專訪時提及Jeter是所謂的二號打者, 那是被用以稱呼候補選手的術語, 上個月的訪問中Giambi提到 ”這兩人的關係相當緊張”
Jeter, who publicly supported Giambi when he was being blasted for his BALCO involvement, has refused to throw any life preservers to Rodriguez this summer. I asked Jeter why he hasn't told the critics to ease up on A-Rod. "My job as a player is not to tell the fans what to do," he said. "My job is not to tell the media what to write about. They're going to do what they want. They should just let it go. How many times can you ask the same questions?"
在Giambi身陷禁藥醜聞時公開對其表達大力支持的Jeter , 在今年夏天卻拒絕對A-Rod伸出援手, 我問Jeter為何不試著出面緩頰 “作為一個球員, 告訴球迷該如何做並非我的職責” Jeter答道 “告訴新聞媒體該報導些什麼也非我份內工作, 他們將會決定自己該做些什麼, 我想他們不應該再窮追猛打了, 總不能一直繞著同樣的話題打轉吧 ?”
Had he ever seen such persistent criticism? "Knobby," he said, referring to error-prone former second baseman Chuck Knoblauch. "[Roger] Clemens for a whole year. Tino [Martinez]."
問他是否曾經見過對於球員的批評如此陰魂不散的案例, “Knobby” 他提到Chuck Knoblauch, 這位失誤頻頻的前洋基二壘手 “對於(Roger) Clemens的批評也持續了一整年, 還有Tino (Martinez)”
Has A-Rod's treatment been worse?
而A-Rod遭受的待遇是否更糟?
"I don't know," Jeter said. "I don't think about that. I'm just concerned with doing what we can to win."
“我不知道” Jeter說道 “我不會去想這種事, 我所在意的只有如何幫洋基贏得勝利”
Here is the way Hall of Fame slugger Reggie Jackson, a Yankees special adviser and a member of the franchise's mythological pinstriped society, explained the yin and yang of the Jeter-Rodriguez relationship: "Alex is too concerned with wanting people to like him. Derek knows he can control only things within the area code DJ."
名人堂球員同時也是球隊特別顧問及洋基傳奇強打者Reggie Jackson這麼描述Jeter和A-Rod的差異 “Alex太在意別人對他的看法了, 而Jeter則清楚了解他唯一能掌控的就是做好自己份內的工作”
Rodriguez must be deferential to Jeter because birth order within the Yankees' family is a powerful influence. Rodriguez will never be as popular as Jeter with New York fans, will never catch him in rings or Yankees legacy, in the same way the younger brother never will be the oldest, no matter how many birthdays pass.
A-Rod將永遠不會成為Jeter, 因為對這支球隊的球迷來說, 先來後到的倫理是無法被打破的, A-Rod永遠不會像Jeter一樣受歡迎, 也永遠拿不到和Jeter一樣多的冠軍戒指, 無論經過多少年, 這種關係都不會改變
When I asked Rodriguez about his relationship with Jeter this year, he replied, "People always want to look at someone's silence and equate that with a negative thing. I don't see it that way."
當我在今年試著要A-Rod說明他和Jeter的關係如何時, 他這麼回答 “人們總是習慣把一個人的沉默看作是件負面的事, 但我並不這麼認為”
I reminded him that Jeter's words carry the most weight. "Mariano said good things [about me]. Joe said good things. [G.M. Brian] Cashman said great things," Rodriguez said. "But again, people want to focus on Jeet. Jeet's very quiet by nature, so I wouldn't want him to change who he is to come and defend me. Because I'm a grown man."
我提醒他Jeter的話一向被視為最有份量的發言, ” Mariano說了些我的好話, Joe也一樣, Cashman也不例外” A-Rod說道 “不過人們總喜歡把焦點放在Jeet身上, 而Jeet的個性本就沉默, 我並不希望他違背本性來試圖幫我辯護, 因為我已經是個大人了”
Watching a Yankees-Angels game in Anaheim from a television booth, Jackson noticed Rodriguez (the number-two hitter that day) and Jeter (batting third) near the on-deck circle with their backs to each other. "Classic Ruth-and-Gehrig picture right there," said Jackson, referring to the legends and their frosty relationship.
在洋基和天使在安納漢的對戰中, Reggie Jackson注意到A-Rod(當天擔任第二棒)和Jeter(當天擔任第三棒)即便同時在場邊等待上場打擊時, 仍然是背對對方且不曾交談, “我就像看到了當年的Ruth和Gehrig一樣” Jackson提及那對相敬如"冰"的傳奇隊友
Jackson likes Rodriguez, recognizes in him the same need for ego massaging that he had as a player. Jackson took him to dinner last month -- yet another intervention -- and described how bad he had it as a Yankee. Jackson talked about when his teammates left notes in his locker telling him that they didn't want him in New York; about how manager Billy Martin so beat it into his head that he was a bad defensive player that on the night Jackson hit three home runs in the 1977 World Series, he played a routine double into a triple because he'd been stricken with fear that he'd screw it up; about when he was in the midst of such a horrific strikeout streak that he pleaded to Detroit Tigers catcher Lance Parrish, "Tell me what's coming, and I promise I'll take a turn right back into the dugout no matter where I hit it. I just want to look like a pro a little bit." (Parrish replied, "F--- you"; Jackson, to his immense satisfaction, grounded out.)
Jackson相當欣賞A-Rod, 而他也注意到A-Rod就像當年仍身為球員的他一樣, 需要做些自我調整, 因此在上個月的某日, 他邀A-Rod共進晚餐, 並且告訴A-Rod當年他效力洋基時所遭遇的困難, Jackson提到曾經有隊友在他的更衣櫃內留下字條, 告訴他部分隊員並不希望他留在紐約; 他也提到1977年的世界大賽, 就在他單場敲出三支全壘打的比賽後, 總教練Billy Martin是如何嚴厲地指責他是個糟糕的防守球員, 他在比賽當中因為害怕搞砸而讓一個應該只是二壘安打的球成了三壘安打; 他更提到了難堪的連續三振紀錄, 當時他甚至這麼懇求老虎隊的捕手Lance Parrish說 ”告訴我下一球是哪種球路吧, 我保證不管我把球打到場上何處, 我都會馬上走回休息區, 我只求讓自己看起來像是個職業球員些” (而Parrish的回答是” F--- you” , 但Jackson最終還是如願以償, 打出內野滾地球出局)
During the game, Jackson told a parable to make a point about Rodriguez. A man is trapped in his house as floodwaters rise. Twice he refuses help, once from rescuers in a boat and then, when the man seeks refuge on his roof, from rescuers in a helicopter. "No, thanks," the man says. "I've got faith." The next thing he knows he is face-to-face with God in heaven.
比賽中, Jackson用了一個故事來比喻A-Rod當時的處境 : 就像一個被不斷高漲的洪水困在自己家中的人, 他兩度拒絕了外界伸出的援手, 一次是來自船上的救難人員, 而另一次則是來自搭乘直昇機前來的救難人員, “我不需要你的幫助” 那人這麼向救難人員說道 “我有著堅強的信念” , 結果當他再度恢復知覺時, 他發現自己已經和上帝一同置身天堂了
"But I put my faith in you!" the man cried.
“我是這麼的相信你 ! ” 那人向上帝哭喊
"Yes," God replied, "and I answered your faith and tried to help you twice."
“我知道” 上帝回答道 “因此我回應了你對我的信念, 然後兩次對你伸出援手”
As Jackson spoke, Rodriguez whiffed yet again, this time on a pitch that bounced on the grass in front of home plate. How does a player with so much talent get so bad? It seemed ages ago, but Rodriguez was the American League Player of the Month for May, when he batted .330 with eight homers and 28 RBIs. Then he lost the natural groove and quickness in his stroke. A crisis of confidence befell him when he could not hit the ball out of the park to right centerfield in batting practice.
就如同Jackson所言, A-Rod又再次被三振, 而這次是一顆甚至還沒飛進本壘上方就已經提早落地的球, 一個有著如此天賦的球員怎麼會搞到這副田地? 作為美聯的五月最有價值球員, 他在該月繳出打擊率.330, 八支全壘打以及28分打點的傲人成績, 不過現在看起來好像已經是非常久遠的記憶了, 之後他喪失了打擊時的手感和揮棒速度, 更糟的是, 他發現自己無法像往常一樣在打擊練習時將球打出牆外, 讓他面臨了更加嚴重的信心危機
"BP is a big key for me," Rodriguez said. "And you don't know how devastating it is to hit a ball you think you got squarely and see it die on the warning track. Out of 40 swings in BP, I should hit 22 out of the park. I was hitting three out of 40. I couldn't hit a fastball. Eighty-nine, 90 [mph pitches] were going right past me, and I knew it."
“打擊練習對我來說相當重要的指標” A-Rod說到 “你無法想像當我看到自己深信已經完全咬中的球竟然飛不出全壘打牆是多麼感到沮喪, 照理說, 40次出棒中我應該可以把22球打出牆外, 不過我現在卻只能把3球打出去, 我完全打不到速球, 只能看著時速89,90英哩的球就這樣從我身旁飛過”
Trying to catch up to fastballs, he started guessing and began his swing early, lunging at the ball with his hips drifting forward, creating a flaw that robbed him of even more power -- or worse, flailing embarrassingly at what turned out to be a slider. Then as he carried the anxiety into the field, his usually reliable glove began to fail him.
為了能跟上速球, 他開始猜球並且提早揮棒, 這樣的結果讓他在擊球瞬間臀部也向前位移, 大為減弱了他的揮棒力量, 若這時發現原來對方投手投出的球路是滑球而非直球, 最有可能的結果就是令人尷尬的揮棒落空 , 而打擊狀況不佳所造成的焦慮揮之不去, 也讓他的守備開始出現問題
"He puts in the work before games and looks textbook out there," third base coach Larry Bowa said last month. "But all of a sudden the game starts, and he quits using his feet and he's fielding with a lazy lower half. That causes his arm to drop, and the ball sails on him."
“他在賽前提早開始練習並且試著翻閱教科書” 三壘教練Larry Bowa在上個月說道 “不過一但比賽開始後, 他並沒有好好運用他的腳, 不妥善運用下半身的結果就是他的手肘位置過低, 而球就這樣穿過他的守備位置”
There was one game against Boston in Yankee Stadium in June when Rodriguez looked so anguished by the rough treatment from New York fans that Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, while watching him from the on-deck circle, grew concerned. Ortiz caught Rodriguez's attention and gave him an exaggerated exhale, the way you might when a physician asks you to take a deep breath. Rodriguez would later thank Ortiz. "It was painful to see his face," Ortiz said. "I had to tell him to just breathe and relax."
六月一場在洋基球場面對紅襪隊的比賽中, A-Rod因為紐約球迷的噓聲而看似十分痛苦, 這讓當時正在場邊準備上場打擊的David Ortiz都無法置之不理, Ortiz朝著A-Rod做了一個誇張的深呼吸動作, 就像健身教練要求你深呼吸時所做的動作一樣, “看到他的表情讓人十分心痛” Ortiz說道 “我想告訴他該是做個深呼吸然後放鬆自己的時候了”
Asked when his season turned sour, Rodriguez replied, "I was absolutely on fire in Detroit early in the year. Then I got sick and I didn't play for three or four days. And then the whole month was kind of lost. It took a while to get my strength back. I'm not explaining that June, the month I stunk, was because I got sick. Let's make that clear. You ask, 'What's the turning point, going from Player of the Month in May to June?' That's the only thing in the middle."
問到何時是他本季表現從好轉壞的轉戾點, A-Rod答道”在球季剛開始對上老虎隊的比賽時, 我的狀況極佳, 後來由於生病的緣故我錯過了三四場比賽, 在那之後的整個月, 我花了好長一段時間才總算找回狀態, 不過讓我把話說清楚, 我並不是拿那場病來當做六月表現不佳的藉口, 我會這樣回答是因為你問我從五月得到當月最有價值球員到六月的低潮中, 什麼是我表現轉壞的關鍵時間點, 而生病是我唯一能想到在這對期間內所發生的事”
He did admit that the media and fan criticism caused him stress that crept into his game. "I think it bothered me, early in the year," he said. The jeering of Rodriguez fed on itself, with Yankees fans emboldened by the obvious physical signs from A-Rod that he was unnerved. Posada could go 0 for 25 in August and go uncriticized, but Rodriguez would be excoriated for popping up in the first inning.
他也承認媒體和球迷的批評所帶來的壓力影響了他場上的表現 “我想這在球季初期真的對我造成了困擾” 他說道, 不過A-Rod會遭受如此嘲笑也有部分原因是自找的, A-Rod表現出的不耐和焦躁讓球迷更加猛烈地攻擊他, Posada可以在八月陷入連續25個打數沒有安打的低潮卻不受球迷批評, 而A-Rod卻會因為在球賽第一局打出鳥飛出局而被全場球迷狂噓
Sample A-Rod headlines from the summer:
這裡節錄一些今年夏天各報章媒體有關A -Rod的頭條用語
E-ROD
K-ROD
A-ROD GETS A HIT....
DO YOU HATE THIS MAN?
Said Rodriguez, "It actually reached the point of being so ridiculous that I just had to laugh. It's like if you show up at work one day with a red shirt, and I go, 'Man, that's an ugly shirt.' And the next day you wear a blue shirt, and I go, 'Man, that's an ugly shirt.' And the next day, yellow shirt, same thing. And on and on, every day. At some point you understand it's not really about the shirts. And it becomes easy to dismiss the criticism."
A-Rod表示”這整件事情的後續發展只能用荒謬來形容, 我除了苦笑之外似乎也沒有其他辦法, 這就像有一天你穿著紅色襯衫去上班, 然後我對你說”老兄, 這真是件醜陋的襯衫”, 隔天你改穿藍色襯衫, 結果我又跟你說” 老兄, 這真是件醜陋的襯衫”, 之後改穿黃色襯衫的你還是得到我相同的評語, 然後就這樣沒完沒了的持續下去, 到最後你會發現, 重點根本不在於你穿什麼襯衫, 了解這點之後, 你就不會把這些批評看得太過嚴重了
Why must Rodriguez defend himself? He plays hard, is durable, stays out of trouble off the field, has hit more than 460 home runs and might wind up reaching 800, which would place him on the short list of the greatest players in history. He is a career .305 hitter (and has batted nearly the same with runners in scoring position, by the way) with 10 All-Star selections, eight Silver Sluggers, four home run titles, two MVP Awards, two Gold Gloves and one batting title.
為什麼A-Rod還得為自己的表現辯護? 他用心打球, 他很少受傷, 在球場外也不曾讓自己捲入無謂的麻煩, 他已經打出了460支全壘打, 而且極有可能可以在球員生涯結束前打出800支全壘打, 這足以讓他成為大聯盟史上最偉大的幾個球員之一, 他的生涯打擊率是.305(不過他在得點圈有人的打擊率也差不多這個數字就是了), 他十次被選進明星隊, 八次奪得銀棒獎, 四次贏得單季全壘打王, 拿下兩個年度MVP獎座, 還加上兩次金手套獎以及一次打擊王頭銜
And yet A-Rod routinely is treated like the guy in the dunk tank at the county fair, even, most incriminating of all, by his peers. In the past two years he's been called out by Boston pitcher Curt Schilling ("bush league"), Red Sox outfielder Trot Nixon ("He can't stand up to Jeter in my book, or Bernie Williams or Posada"), Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen ("hypocrite") and New York Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca (who accused him on the field of showing up the Mets by admiring a home run too long).
不過A-Rod卻始終被像是園遊會中等著被丟進水池中的討厭鬼, 不受其他球員的歡迎, 過去兩年間, 他已經多次被捲入和他隊球員的舌戰中, 對象包含紅襪隊的Curt Schilling和Trot Nixon, 白襪隊的總教練Ozzie Guillen以及大都會的Paul Lo Duca
"One thing people don't like," said one teammate, "is his body language. Too much of what he does on the field looks ... scripted."
“其中一個人們不喜歡他的理由是…” 一 個隊友說道 “…他的肢體語言, 太多他在球場上的舉動都像是照著事先寫好的劇本演出一樣”
I asked Rodriguez why criticism of him from inside and outside the game is so amplified. "We know why," he said.
問到A-Rod為何關於他的批評, 無論是來自場內或是場外, 都如此猛烈時, “你我都很清楚原因何在”他答道
The contract? That 10-year, $252 million deal that no one has come close to matching for six years? He nodded.
是因為那天價合約嗎? 那個六年來沒有任何人可以接近更別提超越的十年兩億五千萬美金合約? 他點點頭
"But I don't expect people to feel sorry for me," he said. "My teammates get more upset about the criticism and booing than I do. A hundred players have come to third base and said, 'This is bulls---. You're having a great year.' You wonder why it bothers players so much. Tim Salmon, Andruw Jones, Chipper Jones, Garret Anderson ... I could throw you a hundred names. They're looking at the scoreboard and saying, 'This guy's got 90 RBIs and I've got 47, and I'm getting cheered?'
“我並不預期人們對他們的所作所為感到抱歉” 他說道”我的隊友們比我更不滿那些批評和噓聲, 至少上百個對手上到三壘時會對我說”那全是狗屁, 你今年的表現明明就很棒”, 你不由得好奇為何這些球員比我還要在意這些噓聲, Tim Salmon, Andruw Jones, Chipper Jones, Garret Anderson…我可以唸出上百個名字, 這些人都會看著計分板然後自問, ”這傢伙打了90分打點而我卻只有47分, 但我卻得到球迷的歡呼?” ”
"My agent, Scott Boras, was talking about [Oakland third baseman] Eric Chavez, who's a great player. He's hitting .235. He's got 16 home runs, 43 ribbies? This guy is getting cheered every time he comes up to the plate. If I can look back on 2006 and see I made 25 errors, hit .285 and drove in 125, I mean, has God really been that bad to me?"
“我的經紀人Scott Boras有一次提到運動家的三壘手Eric Chavez, 他是個傑出的球員, 不過他的數據是打擊率.235, 16支全壘打加上43分打點, 他卻在每次上場打擊時得到球迷的熱烈歡呼, 當我有一天回頭看我2006年的成績, 看到紀錄本上寫著25個失誤, 打擊率.285加上125分打點時, 我會開始懷疑, 這樣的數據算是表現不佳嗎?”
"Alex doesn't know who he is," Giambi said in late August. "We're going to find out who he is in the next couple of months."
“Alex不清楚他的重要性何在” Giambi在八月底的一次訪問中說道 “我們也將藉由接下來幾個月的比賽來檢視他是否真的對我們那麼重要”
October is the foundry of Yankees legend. It's why Scott Brosius will never have to buy another meal in New York, though the third baseman was a career .257 hitter, including .245 with a dreadful .278 on-base percentage in the playoffs. But Brosius had a couple of huge hits, and the Yankees were 11-1 in postseason series with him.
十月對洋基來說是打造棒球傳奇的舞台, 這也是為何Scott Brosius會在紐約如此受到愛戴的原因, 雖然這個三壘手生涯打擊率只有.257, 其中季後賽的打擊率是.245, 而上壘率更是慘不忍睹的.278, 但他在季後賽中的幾次關鍵演出加上有他在陣的洋基隊, 季後賽戰績是令人吃驚的11勝1敗, 讓他深得紐約客的心
For all his career achievements, Rodriguez cannot become a made Yankee without a memorable October. He won the AL MVP award last year, but what stuck to him was his 2-for-15 showing in a Division Series loss to the Angels. It reinforced his disappearance during New York's historic 2004 ALCS collapse to Boston. Until Game 4 of that series, Rodriguez had hit .372 and slugged .640 in 22 career postseason games. But since then he has hit .125 (4 for 32) and slugged .250 while the Yankees have gone 2-7. It's unfair, of course, but to find real acceptance in New York, Rodriguez must win a ring as a Yankee.
縱使有著眾多個人獎項的榮耀加身, 如果無法在十月有著令人印象深刻的演出, 他將永遠無法被認同是洋基的驕傲, 去年他雖然贏得美聯的年度最有價值球員獎座, 但他在洋基輸給天使的美聯分區系列戰中15個打數只擊出2支安打的表現才是真正留在球迷心中的記憶, 而他在2004年分區冠軍戰洋基輸給紅襪的歷史性戰役中的突然消失, 更是讓人印象深刻, 在該系列戰的第四場比賽進行前, A-Rod在總計22場的季後賽出場中打擊率高達.372, 長打率.640, 但自從第四戰之後, 他的季後賽打擊率僅有.125(32個打數4支安打)而長打率更只有.250, 而這段期間, 洋基的季後賽戰績是令人難堪的2勝7敗 , 用這些數據來評斷A-Rod當然有失公平, 不過當你想要真正贏得紐約球迷的認同時, 以洋基球員的身分拿到冠軍戒指是唯一的標準
Not that A-Rod believes he has all that much that needs to be redeemed this season. His extreme slump -- not his word, of course -- that peaked in Anaheim didn't seem so bad to him. "Reggie hit .230 one year," Rodriguez said. "That's awful. He struck out 170-something times in a year. I don't care who you are, extremes are just part of the game. I was awful [in Anaheim], but Jeter was 0 for 32 [in 2004], Mo blew three games in one week [last year].... Everybody goes through it."
A-Rod本人並不覺得他需要為這個球季的表現做出任何補救動作, 這個在洋基作客安納漢的系列戰時降到最低點的嚴重低潮, 對他來說並不是太大的問題, "Reggie有一年球季打擊率也不過只有.230 " A-Rod說道 “那實在是慘不忍睹, 他在那一年被三振次數大概有170幾次, 無論你是誰, 高低潮都是無法避免的, 我在安納漢的表現很糟沒錯, 但是Jeter也曾經連續32個打數沒有安打(2004年球季), Mo也曾經在一個禮拜之中三次救援失敗(去年球季)…每個球員都會有面對低潮的時候”
Rodriguez isn't the only Yankee who needs a good October. When he looks around the clubhouse, he sees more teammates who have never won a title in New York than those who have. And thanks to the Rangers' picking up $67 million of the money left on his contract when he was traded to New York, Rodriguez can find three players in the same room to whom the Yankees are paying more this year -- Jeter ($21 million), Giambi ($19 million) and righthander Mike Mussina ($19 million) -- and a fourth, lefthander Randy Johnson, to whom they pay an equal amount ($16 million). Next year the Yankees will pay outfielder Bobby Abreu ($17.5 million) more than Rodriguez, making A-Rod a veritable bargain. I point out all of this to Rodriguez early this month as we walk underneath the first base stands at Yankee Stadium toward the indoor batting cage.
A-Rod並非洋基陣中唯一需要藉由季後賽傑出表現來證明自己價值的球員, 環顧球員休息室, 尚未為洋基拿到冠軍戒指的隊友甚至多過曾經辦到的人, 感謝遊騎兵隊願意分擔他天價合約中的六千七百萬美元額度, 在洋基陣中有三位球員從洋基老闆的口袋中拿到比A-Rod更多的薪水 – Jeter(兩千一百萬), Giambi(一千九百萬), 以及Mussina(一千九百萬), 另外還有和A-Rod並駕齊驅的Randy Johnson(一千六百萬), 下個球季洋基要付給Bobby Abreu的薪水(一千七百五十萬)也將超越A-Rod, 這讓A-Rod的交易看起來簡直划算到不行, 本月初, 在一次和A-Rod一同走向洋基球場中的室內打擊練習場時的談話中, 我向他提及這些數據
"Mussina doesn't get hammered at all," he said. "He's making a boatload of money. Giambi's making [$20.4 million], which is fine and dandy, but it seems those guys get a pass. When people write [bad things] about me, I don't know if it's [because] I'm good-looking, I'm biracial, I make the most money, I play on the most popular team...."
“Mussina從來沒有因為這個原因遭到指責…” 他回應道 “…他可也是領著天價薪水, Giambi一樣坐擁高薪, 但他們卻也同時有著不受批評的權利, 每次當記者寫了些不利於我的報導時, 我不了解他們之所以攻擊我是因為我長得帥, 因為我是混血兒, 還是因為我賺最多錢, 或是因為我效力於最受歡迎的球隊…”
He laughed easily, his mood still bright after a Yankee Stadium curtain call the previous day in which Torre told him the fans wanted him, prompting Rodriguez to observe, "I'm very shy when I play. I always wonder, If I was an a------ and a very flamboyant guy, how much attention could I really call to myself?"
他輕鬆自若地笑著, 他的心情從昨晚在洋基球場的比賽中, Torre要求他出場向全場為他歡呼的球迷致意之後, 就一直相當愉悅, “比賽中的我總是相當羞怯, 我老是不停地問自己, 如果我是個個性混帳但同時表現傑出的球員, 我到底能吸引多少球迷的注意呢?”
Yet that shyness has been his undoing. Rodriguez suffers from an astonishing lack of competitive arrogance proportionate to his immense skill. Jackson, for instance, hates the way A-Rod does his pretty peacock-preening practice swings and then lacks any physical presence once he steps in. Even his infamous gut reaction to Boston pitcher Bronson Arroyo's trying to tag him along the first base line in the 2004 ALCS -- Rodriguez awkwardly slapped Arroyo's glove rather than bulldozing the pitcher or first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz -- was a window into his softer side.
儘管害羞似乎從來都不是A-Rod的問題, A-Rod的問題在於擁有超常的能力卻沒有足以匹配且帶競爭性的傲慢, 舉Jackson為例, 他一向相當不滿為何A-Rod在上場打擊前的揮棒練習可以做出華麗且帶點炫燿性的誇張動作, 但是一旦踏入場內又往往缺乏存在感, 即使在2004分區冠軍戰中一次不太名譽的情緒性反應中 – 當時紅襪投手Bronson Arroyo試著在他跑向一壘時觸殺他, A-Rod也只是笨拙地拍了Arroyo的手套而不是挺身向投手或是一壘手嗆聲, 這也說明了他個性中軟弱的一面
Rodriguez knows reporters' names and their affiliates and will often ask them questions about themselves, a rarity among ballplayers. This solicitousness can be awkward, even detrimental, in the socially stunted environment of a clubhouse and the brutally demanding environment of Yankee Stadium. His blood may not run cold enough.
A-Rod記得所有記者以及工作人員的姓名, 並且時常關心他們的生活, 這在球員當中是相當難得一見的特質, 不過這種對他人的關懷在洋基球團中看來是相當格格不入甚至對自己不利的, 他似乎還不夠冷血
"You know what you are?" Jackson said to Rodriguez in the New York clubhouse last Thursday. "You're too nice."
“你知道你的問題是什麼嗎?” 上週四在球員休息室中Jackson這麼告訴A-Rod “你太過於友善了”
With a hitter as talented as Rodriguez, it would seem inevitable that after the drought would come a deluge. ("No," says Rodriguez, "because you don't believe it's inevitable when you can't hit the ball out in batting practice.") On Aug. 31 in the Bronx he banged out three hits against the Detroit Tigers, only his second three-hit game at home since the All-Star break. That triggered a 9-for-17 tear in which Rodriguez smashed five home runs, including one that looked so much like a routine fly-out off the bat that Torre yelled to the runners, "Tag up." Four hundred fifty feet later the ball landed in the black seats beyond centerfield. "Once you're relaxed, you react to the [pitch]," Torre said. "He's reacting to the ball, not predetermining what he was going to do, like before."
對任何一個擁有著和A-Rod同樣天賦的打者來說, 你可以期待他在克服低潮之後將會有極為傑出的表現(“我不這麼認為” A-Rod說道 “當你在打擊練習中都無法打好時, 你就不會相信低潮之後總有高潮的說法了”), 八月31日對上老虎隊的比賽中, A-Rod單場擊出了三支安打, 這僅僅是他在整個下半季第二次有如此傑出表現, 之後幾場比賽, 他在17個打數中擊出包含5支全壘打在內的9支安打, 其中一支全壘打在被擊出瞬間看起來根本就像是個見高不見遠的高飛球, Torre甚至還向壘上跑者大喊”留在壘包上”, 不過最終這球足足飛了450呎, 落在了中外野的觀眾席上, “當你放鬆自己時, 你就能自然地對投手投出的球做出反應” Torre說道 “他就只是本能地作出反應, 並沒有預期這顆球最終將落在何處, 就像過去的他一樣”
Rodriguez hasn't stopped hitting, either, batting .360 since that breakout game as the Yankees, comfortably in control of the AL East, play carefree baseball. He rediscovered his smooth footwork in the field, and his hands felt faster at the plate. He began to wait long enough on pitches to drive them hard to centerfield and rightfield, the satisfying confirmation for a righthanded hitter, like a wink from a pretty girl, that life is good.
A-Rod的手感還持續發熱, 自從那場對上老虎隊的比賽後, 他的打擊率高達.360, 而洋基的戰績也繼續笑傲美聯東區, A-Rod重新找回了他在守備時的順暢腳法, 以及打擊時的揮棒速度, 他也開始等到最後一刻才出棒然後將球狠狠地撈到中右外野, 這對右打者來說是個令人欣慰的現象
After the home runs Rodriguez would credit Torre for helping to put the groove back in his swing. Under the stadium on a cool, wet night in which October seemed so close, I thought about that meeting Torre had with A-Rod in Seattle and had one last question:
在再度擊出一支又一支的全壘打之後, A-Rod將其狀態回復歸功於Torre, 在某個寒冷潮濕的夜裡, 季後賽看來就近在咫尺, 身在洋基球場中的我腦中想著那場Torre和A-Rod間的談話, 提了最後一個問題 :
What was Joe's main message?
到底Joe試圖傳達給你的主要訊息是什麼？
Rodriguez rolled the question around in his head for a moment. He hesitated, "Uh ..." and then answered with this: "'We need you.'"
這個問題在A-Rod腦中停留許久, “恩…” 他遲疑了一下, 然後接著說道 “我們需要你”
Issue date: September 25, 2006
全站熱搜
留言列表
