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Like most sons, Yankees’ designated hitter Shelley Duncan has a theory on a way in which he’s disappointed his father. But since his father is former major leaguer Dave Duncan, now pitching coach for the St. Louis Cardinals, his theory is a little different than most. “I think he’s disappointed we didn’t become catchers,” Duncan said, smiling. Despite Duncan’s un-paternal positioning--Duncan played primarily first base when in the field at all, while brother Chris became an outfielder—no one could be disappointed with the way Duncan has started his Yankees’ career.
Like most sons, Yankees’ designated hitter Shelley Duncan has a theory on a way in which he’s disappointed his father. But since his father is former major leaguer Dave Duncan, now pitching coach for the St. Louis Cardinals, his theory is a little different than most. “I think he’s disappointed we didn’t become catchers,” Duncan said, smiling. Despite Duncan’s un-paternal positioning--Duncan played primarily first base when in the field at all, while brother Chris became an outfielder—no one could be disappointed with the way Duncan has started his Yankees’ career. In his first 24 at bats, Duncan has five home runs. His slugging percentage? A lofty .917. Still, he’s not going to let a few at bats in the Show go to his head—not after 2650 minor league times to bat. “I think I just have to keep growing mentally,” Duncan said in the tunnel beneath the field prior to Thursday afternoon’s game. “I just need to watch the way pitchers adjust to me, and adjust right with them.” Duncan is not ready to take credit for the Yankees’ recent offensive explosion. “This is a team game,” he said, clearly eschewing Reggie Jackson’s “straw that stirs the drink” attitude. “When I get the chance, I’m going to make sure and do my best to help the team.” Of course, it never hurts to discuss that chance with people who have been there. “I talk to my dad every night,” Duncan said. “And my brother has been through a lot of this, so it’s as if I’ve been through it already, too.” Duncan’s enthusiasm has quickly earned him a following among the Yankee faithful (though the home runs don’t hurt). His brother has a similar perch among the Cardinal fans, and Duncan thinks he knows why. “I think it’s our heart,” Duncan said. “We come to play with a love for this game every single day.”
*** Freddy Sez, the pan-wielding fanatic and unofficial mascot of the New York Yankees, held his sign aloft as he sat purposefully in front of the large parking garage across from Yankee Stadium. The sign read, “The Time is Ripe for A-Rod to hit his 500th Homer!” Rodriguez, who said Wednesday night, jokingly, that he plans to hit it “sometime before the end of the season,” agrees. As hard as it is to imagine, given their history of home run hitters, only two players have hit the 500th blast as New York Yankees, and only one at home. Babe Ruth hit number 500, the very first player to do so, on August 11, 1929 in Cleveland. Mickey Mantle joined the 500 Club on May 14, 1967, against the Orioles in the House that Ruth Built. As such, Freddy, who has seen many no-hitters, World Series victories and other assorted great moments in baseball, was looking forward to the moment. “I think that today is the day,” Freddy said. “It’s only a matter of time.” And with that pronouncement, he turned his attention to a family seeking to take pictures with him on a cell phone—an occurrence he’s doubtlessly been through before.
*** The ball boys handed home plate umpire the specially-marked balls. The crowd rose to its feet, aware that the ticket they’d purchased was really a lottery ticket that might pay off in history. And the mighty A-Rod swung… and grounded out on a fielder’s choice to the shortstop. Only had the shortstop and outfielder fallen down would Rodriguez have had a shot at history—the inside-the-park version. After Roger Clemens was unceremoniously dumped by a disrespectful White Sox lineup, with an 8-0 deficit, it seemed like the only thing the Yankee faithful had to look forward to was a possible A-Rod shot in garbage time. But five runs and two base runners brought Rodriguez up in the bottom of the inning as the tying run. His RBI single brought home the sixth run of the inning—but the blast still eluded him. The Yankees would go on to tie the game, and a battle of the bullpens loomed—only good news for A-Rod, with the chance to feast on the underside of a poor team’s relief corps. The Sox had taken the lead in the fourth, and with one out and nobody on in the fourth, the Pale Hose brought in Ryan Bukvich to face A-Rod, and possibly, a date with history. But A-Rod went with the pitch, and dumped a single into right field—hardly the stuff of highlight reels. Following a Bobby Abreu shot in the sixth inning, the deficit stood at 11-9 as A-Rod get his fourth opportunity. But after fouling off several 2-2 pitches, he fouled out near first base. A-Rod got himself a 3-1 count in the eighth inning, only to strike out. Fourteen home runs, 32 runs in three games—but no history.
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