Now, i will never ever fully agree with all this "Jeter is clutch, a-rod chokes" rhetoric, but, looking at the stats, it's obvious that Arod does feel some pressure in the playoffs. Yes, he was great in the playoffs in Seattle, but that's a different beast than playing in NY in October. Let's look at the stats.

Games 4-7 of the 2004 ALCS - 1 for 17.

2005 ALDS - 286/312/286. That's a .286 batting average (not bad), but only a .312 on base percentage and .286 slugging percentage. That means he didn't even get an extra base hit in 5 games! He had only 1 run scored and 2 rbi in those 5 games. I can't remember offhand (and i'm too lazy to look it up), but i think he left something like 14-16 guys on base.

He also made a very costly play defensively. There were a few other plays that he couldn't get to b/c of his poor range.




Oh, did I say A-rod? I meant Gary Sheffield. Why does he get a pass? b/c he was good in the postseason back in the day as a Marlin (he wasn't good as a Brave, right?). But i guess being the highest paid* player in the game is a worse offense than actually admitting to using the cream.

*note: the yankees pay more per year for Jeter, Randy, Giambi, and Brown (for this year), than they do/did for Arod.