Baseball’s $252 million man won the American League MVP award Monday for the second time in three years. But Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez admitted the latest gold star on his report card wouldn’t be enough to silence his detractors. Nor can it satisfy his toughest critic – himself.
A-Rod is well aware that despite holding the most lucrative contract in baseball history, and despite another phenomenal regular season, he lacks a World Series ring after two years in New York.
“We can win three World Series, but with me it’s never going to be over,” Rodriguez said in a teleconference with reporters. “I think my benchmark is so high, that no matter what I do it’s never going to be enough. I understand that. But to me, my approach never changes. I am going to go out and be the best player that I can, help my team win and be a main factor in being a world champion. Maybe when I retire is when all the criticism will end.”
Rodriguez hit .321 with an AL- high 48 home runs and 130 RBIs, breaking Joe DiMaggio’s 68-year- old Yankees record for home runs by a right-handed hitter (46). Rodriguez became the first Yankees player to win the award since Don Mattingly in 1985.
Rodriguez’s wicked bat and solid glove were enough to edge Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz. Rodriguez received 16 first-place votes, 11 seconds and one third for 331 points from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Ortiz received 11 first-place votes and 17 seconds for 307 points. Voting was done before the start of the postseason, when the Yankees and Red Sox were eliminated in the first round.
Ortiz became perhaps the most feared clutch hitter in the AL with his knack for late-inning dramatics. The man called “Big Papi” by teammates batted .300 with 47 home runs and a major league-leading 148 RBIs. He had 34 RBIs that put his team ahead, the most in the AL. No full-time DH has been named MVP.
“I think defense, for the most part, and being a balanced player and also saving a lot of runs on the defensive side, was a major factor,” Rodriguez said.
While Ortiz doesn’t have an MVP award, he does have a world championship ring from 2004 when he helped the Red Sox get past the Yankees in the ALCS. Rodriguez’s latest quest for a championship ended in the AL divisional series against the Los Angeles Angels. Rodriguez hit .133 and did not drive in a run against the Angels.
“I certainly would trade (Ortiz’s) World Series championship for this MVP trophy,” Rodriguez said.
Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-820-5459 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
