Teixeira may finally be coming around 
BRONX – Anyone can have a bad month or two.
For Mark Teixeira, this does not faze him.
Every day going to the ballpark is a new day. He claims never taking a bad day previously into the next day just as he does the good ones.
So let us count the last two days as positives in a season of mostly struggles for the Yankee first baseman as his two homeruns in the last games of the series, particularly his fourth inning grand slam of Johan Santana that provided the winning 4-0 margin to take the Yankee Stadium edition of the Subway Series.
For a man typically known for heating up at the plate when the weather warms up for reasons unknown, this season has been a struggle for him, with his batting average early on below .150, hovering just over .200 .
After today, the average stands at .226. The power numbers are slightly down, but they have come in bunches and overall, has yet to perform to his career standards or even his numbers from last year.
“It’s a daily grind,” Teixeira said. “It’s never easy. You’re always working, especially both ways.”
The last six games have seen Teixeira hit three homeruns, all against elite level starting pitchers.
Tuesday night, he hit one off Roy Halladay that barely cleared the wall in right. Saturday he connected on a two-run blast to right center off Mike Pelfrey before Sunday’s slam to break a scoreless tie.
On trying to get back the swing that has made him one baseball’s most lethal hitters, Teixeira said, “When I can hit a home run left-handed yesterday, a home run right-handed today, hopefully that’ll get some things rolling for me personally.”
He then followed, “It always helps when you hit good pitchers.”
The highs and lows of his season have been so dramatic that it is hard to tell when he has really been good. The statistical output would leave you to believe that he is have a respectful season, but it is not the case. He does not look as comfortable at the plate from either side as he has in the past. There appears to be much guessing by him and it has his mind fouled up.
Teixeira also looks to be lunging at the plate while the short field porch seduces his mind, causing bad swing mechanics and exacerbating the problem.
When asked about his season long slump, Teixeira snapped back, “I hit a grand slam today.”
The reporter, clearly stunned by the answer, tried to re-alter his question but no avail.
“I hit one Saturday. I hit one off (Roy) Halladay (Tuesday). Next question.”
With 44 RBI, he is on pace to drive in around 100, which is solid, but not “Teixeira numbers”. His lack of sustained production as the number three hitter in the lineup has been the main reason the Yankees offense, so potent when in 2009, has been inconsistent this year.
“I just think it ignites our offense when he’s hitting,” said Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez.
“He’s such an impactful player,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “We know this year has been somewhat of a struggle for him.
Still, despite his early problems, the Yankees lead the AL East over Tampa Bay and Boston, and have the best record in baseball due in part, to their spectacular pitching as seen by the eight shutout innings thrown by CC Sabathia.
The great pitching has made the troubles for Teixeira seem less significant as the many in the (drive by) media and fans seem willing to give him an extended line of credit with the belief that he will need turn it around as some point and carry the offense for a prolonged stretch.
“We have so much confidence in him for what he’s done in the past. “ Girardi said, also echoing that belief. “We believe it’s a matter of time before he gets hot and gets on a roll.”
Maybe this is the start of that roll. Three homeruns in the last six games, a hit in 10 of his last 12 games and taking good swings overall even the result is not always a hit.
That is what he needs right now. Start with good mechanics, good at bats and working the count as he has always has. From there the hits will come. Rarely will a good hitter ever be successful without his proper fundamentals that made him that great player that we have all come to see from him.
Teixeira has a reputation for being a conscientious worker of his craft, always seeking to perfect his swing. The lack of success has not been due to lack of effort or preparation.
The Yankees believe that his time is coming soon.
“His personality is consistent every day,” Girardi said. “It’s hard to tell how he’s feeling at-bat to at-bat. That’s what you want out of players.
“Look at the back of his baseball card,” said Nick Swisher. “He’s going to be there (statistically) by the end of the year.”
We can only hope.
BRONX – Anyone can have a bad month or two.
For Mark Teixeira, this does not faze him.
Every day going to the ballpark is a new day. He claims never taking a bad day previously into the next day just as he does the good ones.
So let us count the last two days as positives in a season of mostly struggles for the Yankee first baseman as his two homeruns in the last games of the series, particularly his fourth inning grand slam of Johan Santana that provided the winning 4-0 margin to take the Yankee Stadium edition of the Subway Series.
For a man typically known for heating up at the plate when the weather warms up for reasons unknown, this season has been a struggle for him, with his batting average early on below .150, hovering just over .200 .
After today, the average stands at .226. The power numbers are slightly down, but they have come in bunches and overall, has yet to perform to his career standards or even his numbers from last year.
“It’s a daily grind,” Teixeira said. “It’s never easy. You’re always working, especially both ways.”
The last six games have seen Teixeira hit three homeruns, all against elite level starting pitchers.
Tuesday night, he hit one off Roy Halladay that barely cleared the wall in right. Saturday he connected on a two-run blast to right center off Mike Pelfrey before Sunday’s slam to break a scoreless tie.
On trying to get back the swing that has made him one baseball’s most lethal hitters, Teixeira said, “When I can hit a home run left-handed yesterday, a home run right-handed today, hopefully that’ll get some things rolling for me personally.”
He then followed, “It always helps when you hit good pitchers.”
The highs and lows of his season have been so dramatic that it is hard to tell when he has really been good. The statistical output would leave you to believe that he is have a respectful season, but it is not the case. He does not look as comfortable at the plate from either side as he has in the past. There appears to be much guessing by him and it has his mind fouled up.
Teixeira also looks to be lunging at the plate while the short field porch seduces his mind, causing bad swing mechanics and exacerbating the problem.
When asked about his season long slump, Teixeira snapped back, “I hit a grand slam today.”
The reporter, clearly stunned by the answer, tried to re-alter his question but no avail.
“I hit one Saturday. I hit one off (Roy) Halladay (Tuesday). Next question.”
With 44 RBI, he is on pace to drive in around 100, which is solid, but not “Teixeira numbers”. His lack of sustained production as the number three hitter in the lineup has been the main reason the Yankees offense, so potent when in 2009, has been inconsistent this year.
“I just think it ignites our offense when he’s hitting,” said Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez.
“He’s such an impactful player,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “We know this year has been somewhat of a struggle for him.
Still, despite his early problems, the Yankees lead the AL East over Tampa Bay and Boston, and have the best record in baseball due in part, to their spectacular pitching as seen by the eight shutout innings thrown by CC Sabathia.
The great pitching has made the troubles for Teixeira seem less significant as the many in the (drive by) media and fans seem willing to give him an extended line of credit with the belief that he will need turn it around as some point and carry the offense for a prolonged stretch.
“We have so much confidence in him for what he’s done in the past. “ Girardi said, also echoing that belief. “We believe it’s a matter of time before he gets hot and gets on a roll.”
Maybe this is the start of that roll. Three homeruns in the last six games, a hit in 10 of his last 12 games and taking good swings overall even the result is not always a hit.
That is what he needs right now. Start with good mechanics, good at bats and working the count as he has always has. From there the hits will come. Rarely will a good hitter ever be successful without his proper fundamentals that made him that great player that we have all come to see from him.
Teixeira has a reputation for being a conscientious worker of his craft, always seeking to perfect his swing. The lack of success has not been due to lack of effort or preparation.
The Yankees believe that his time is coming soon.
“His personality is consistent every day,” Girardi said. “It’s hard to tell how he’s feeling at-bat to at-bat. That’s what you want out of players.
“Look at the back of his baseball card,” said Nick Swisher. “He’s going to be there (statistically) by the end of the year.”
We can only hope.
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