AROD & HEADLEY ARE THRIVING!

The Yankees re-signed Chase Headley to be their everyday third baseman, after trading for him last summer, even with Alex Rodriguez expected back after his season-long suspension. While the Yankees brass named Headley the starter, the ever humble ARod stated he expected to be the third baseman. Well ARod was wrong and since showing up to camp, has kept his mouth shut and accepted his role as the everyday DH. Guess what baseball fans? It’s working out pretty darn good for both!

Rodriguez has come back with a fury to start the season. He is leading the Yankees in average (.316), OBS (1.157), home runs (4), RBI (11) and runs scored (10). He hit a home run on Friday night 477 feet into the left field bleachers in Tampa, one of his two dingers on the night. His bat looks quite good.

Chase Headley is a terrific defensive third baseman and that is where he makes his money. Rodriguez was a great defensive player in his hay-day but has lost range at nearly 40 years-old, as most players do. Headley is hitting just .241 on the year but has had several big hits on the year including a home run to tie the game in the ninth inning of the Yankees 19 inning loss to the Red Sox. Sure, they still lost, but without Headley’s dramatic home run, they never would have had the chance. Headley finished the Yankees series sweep of the Rays with a big day on Sunday going 2-for-5 with two RBI.

Before spring training started a lot of us were curious how this was going to play out. Was ARod going to come in and start running his mouth to the media about how he should be the third baseman? Was Headley going to accept that if he did? Both questions have been answered as of now and both players seem content in their roles. The unity shows that the Yankees are working as a team and hopefully it will help lead them to a winning season.

Although they got off to a rough start over the first week of the year, the sweep of the Rays down in Tampa has propelled the Yankees to a 6-6 record after losing the first three series of the year. After the Tigers series, they appear to be slowing getting into a rhythm. Both these players have played key parts, particularly Rodriguez on a more frequent basis, in helping the Yankees achieve their little run of success. 

While there is still a ton of baseball to be played and many fans are already calling for Aaron Judge, Greg Bird, Slade Heathcott and others to come and save the day, the Yankees still have a sound lineup and pitching that could keep them in the hunt, as long as they remain healthy. 

So let’s hope ARod can keep it up throughout the season and Headley can continue to be a great third baseman that produces some big hits. It’s time for us Yankees faithful to cut down on the negative talk for the meantime and enjoy the successes we have. We are all rooting for the same thing and we all BLEED YANKEE BLUE! 

 
Dan Lucia
BYB Writer
Twitter: @DManLucia




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