There’s this ridiculous stat comparison circulating which pits A-Rod’s numbers against Reggie Jackson for the playoffs. Here are the raw numbers brought to us by Jockbeat through each player’s first 42 postseason games:
- Player A: 42 games, 151 at-bats, 40 hits, 7 homers, 19 rbi, .265 batting
Player B: 42 games, 158 at-bats, 46 hits, 9 homers, 25 rbi, .291 batting
Naturally the better numbers belong to A-Rod and it’s supposed to make you doubt everything you ever knew about baseball considering Reggie Jackson’s reputation as Mr. October. But all those numbers serve to prove is how deceiving statistics can be. Here are the real numbers: in the past three postseasons (prior to this year), A-Rod hit .159 (7-for-44) with NO home runs and only 1 RBI. All three years the Yankees lost in the first round. Any coincidence that the playoff series he finally hits in they swept the Twins?
Now Mr. October earned his nickname by hitting .400 (22-for-55) with 8 home runs and 17 RBIs in 15 World Series games for the Yankees. Throw all those stats above out the window because what I just presented is all you need to know. Let A-Rod hit several home runs in the World Series (and in the ALCS) and then we can talk about comparing the two. Until then, A-Rod will have to settle for his current Dave Winfield nickname of Mr. May.
