Ballplayers are creatures of habit, and Alex Rodriguez is no exception. Without knowing which team the Yankees would face off against in the ALDS, Rodriguez has approached this postseason with a laser focus. Using the "one day at a time" platitudes, Rodriguez knows that he needs to carry his production into this postseason and beyond.
"That's what I've been doing all year and that's what I want to keep doing in October," the Yankees’ third baseman told MLB.com.
But it won't be easy. As Tim Keown pointed out on ESPN.com, the normally bright lights of New York get even hotter in October, and history has not been kind to Rodriguez. Aside from his poor playoff performance — at least in comparison with teammate Derek Jeter — Rodriguez has often served as a lightning rod for controversy.
Being the highest-paid player in the game certainly brings some unwanted attention, and Rodriguez is no stranger to criticism, but experts see a different focus in the star this year, claiming that his attitude is more indicative of someone who no longer feels like they have something to prove. Rodriguez spoke about how he feels as though he's "playing with the house's money, basically."
However, there remain some big hurdles to clear. In each playoff game since Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS in which the Red Sox began their historic comeback, Rodriguez has had 59 postseason at-bats. He has a single RBI.
Postseason failure has become a habit for Rodriguez, one he'd surely like to shake. When the Yankees’ American League Divisional Series opens against the Twins on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium, Rodriguez will have had two full days off — after ending the season with two home runs against the Rays, giving him an even 30 on the season.
This could be the year Rodriguez finally turns the playoff corner and contributes to the team's success in a meaningful way. The Yankees are counting on it.