For years, especially since 2004, Derek Jeter has always been linked to a third baseman with the surname Rodriguez. The reasons are varied and have been played out in tabloids and various books.
As Jeter’s quest for 3,000 hits continues its summer tour this weekend at Yankee Stadium, he is linked to a Rodriguez. Here’s a hint, his first name is not Alex and he has never played with Jeter.
The man is Sean Rodriguez, a utility man acquired by the Rays two summers ago from the Angels for Scott Kazmir. Rodriguez happened to be playing third base last night and as fate would have it his path crossed with Jeter.
Rather, his glove crossed with Jeter’s swings. Jeter went 1-for-5 last night and in the four instances following his 2,998th career hit, he grounded out.
Three of those occasions the groundouts headed Rodriguez’s way.
Rodriguez spends his time in the field going between second, third and shortstop. Last night was his 14th start and 26th appearance at third and in 2010, he made seven appearances there.
Rodriguez was there because regular DH Johnny Damon sat out with a swelled left hand and Evan Longoria was his replacement.
The first meeting between Rodriguez and Jeter was in the fifth. Jeter hinted at a bunt and Rodriguez played off the bag.
Jeter hit a sharp grounder down the line, a surefire base hit, except it wasn’t. Rodriguez dove, moved the glove across his body and unleashed a throw that just beat Jeter.
"It definitely was not a routine play," Rodriguez said to reporters. "But it’s something I practice to try to make it a routine play."
The next time Jeter and Rodriguez crossed paths it was in the ninth with a high chopper that bounced but didn’t reach the infield dirt. Rodriguez did not make a clean grab but threw low into first baseman Casey Kotchman’s glove.
"You always say you want to be that guy," Rodriguez said. "Then sure enough, you end up taking hits from that guy."
And last night, another guy named Rodriguez was that guy.
"If he gets it, obviously it will be exciting. I'm going to do everything I can obviously to not let him get it, but that's just like I will with anybody else. I don't want anybody to get hits," Rodriguez told reporters. "He's definitely going to get it eventually and it's going to be something that's well deserved, a guy like him, the way he's always played the game. Just great example, a great role model for a lot of young kids that watch him and try and emulate him."
And future opposing third baseman will want to emulate Rodriguez.
