Trot Nixon:  "A-Rod isn't the Yankee type"

[___ Eats It]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/3398898

Red Sox's Nixon criticizes A-Rod

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - Trot Nixon added fuel to the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry on Tuesday by criticizing Alex Rodriguez even before the first spring training workout for either team.

Boston's outfielder praised Rodriguez's playing ability but said New York's third baseman wasn't the "Yankee type."

"I don't look at him as that. He might be in a lot of people's eyes," Nixon said. "He's done some great things on the field. He's one of the best baseball players in the game and probably will be when it's all said and done.

"But when people ask me about the Yankees, I tell them about (Derek) Jeter and Bernie Williams and (Jorge) Posada. I don't tell them about Rodriguez. ... He can't stand up to Jeter in my book or Bernie Williams or Posada."

Rodriguez's spokesman, Steve Fortunato, said he could not reach A-Rod for comment.

Nixon also criticized Rodriguez for slapping the ball away from Red Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo along the first-base line during Game 6 of the AL championship series and then complaining when he was called out.

"You're the one that swung the bat and hit that little nubber down there," he said of Rodriguez.

Boston became the first major league team to overcome a 3-0 postseason deficit and beat the Yankees for the AL pennant, then went on to sweep St. Louis for its first World Series title since 1918.

Yankees position players report Sunday and start workouts Feb. 22. Red Sox pitchers and catchers are due in camp by Thursday with the first full squad workout scheduled for Tuesday. Nixon has been in Fort Myers since last week.

He didn't say that A-Rod had criticized his workout regimen. But Nixon but did say that Rodriguez boasted about his own regimen.

"Like Rodriguez says," Nixon said, "his running stairs at 6 in the morning while I'm sleeping and taking my kids to school. I'm like, well I'm not a deadbeat dad, Alex."

On Nov. 18, Rodriguez's wife gave birth to a daughter.

"He's got a kid now, too, so I guess he'll have his limo driver take her to school," Nixon said.

Nixon also said he respected Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi, who is the focus of a controversy surrounding steroid use in baseball.

Without admitting that he used steroids, Giambi apologized last week to his teammates, fans and the media for distractions he caused.

"I don't feel sorry for Giambi but I do have a great amount of respect for him, for what he's done in this game, the kind of person he is," Nixon said. "He's a superstar and he doesn't act like it.

"A lot of people have lost respect for people like Giambi. I can't judge him for what he did," Nixon added. "I don't even know him that well but I enjoy talking to him over at first base. He's a very good ballplayer. He plays hard. He plays with passion and what's happened to him right now is (that) he seems to be the bullseye" for steroid critics.

[S p e n c e]

What is it with the red sox?  They can't win and the complain and nit pick about every little thing because that is all they CAN do.  Then they finally win and what do they do?  They keep on complaining and nit picking about every little thing.  Get over it.  

[Velcro]

someone must be a yankees fan... awe poor baby

[___ Eats It]

When you've bitched and nitpicked for 86 years, old habits die hard.

Oh, and by the way, "YEAR TWO THOU-SAND! YEAR TWO THOU-SAND! YEAR TWO THOU-SAND!"

[S p e n c e]

LOL I am a Yankees fan, and I was actually glad the Sox won, so maybe we wouldnt have to hear so much nitpicking, but I guess not.  

As for what Nixon said.  I don't know why this even got press.  He doesnt really trash A-Rod so there is no controversy there, and I think it is common sense that A-Rod wouldnt rank up with Yankee greats like Jeter, Williams, Posada, Mantle, Dimaggio and so on, because he has only been there one year.  The other Yankee greats are the "Greats" because they played as a Yankee for many seasons and won championships during that time.  And A-Rod has only been there one year, so I dont think anyone has referred to him as a Yankee Great, so why is this news when Nixon points this out?

[Velcro]

its a very slow off season since RJ finally signed... ANY news is news at this point.

[BULLO12]

It just keeps the rivalry out in front and personal.... ;D

[Velcro]

absolutely...

;D

i'm in the lottery for NY/Boston Patriots Day tickets and Monster seats, doubt i'll win, but it would be cool.  I think the Patriots day seats lottery is passed so i must not have won those  :-/

[ChiTownBull]

LOL I am a Yankees fan, and I was actually glad the Sox won, so maybe we wouldnt have to hear so much nitpicking, but I guess not.  

sorry but with that comment you are NOT a Yankee fan!

[KnightsRule]

Patriots day game is best of the year. 11 am start and marathon finish. What a day. Good Luck!!