Sports
Alex Rodriguez makes bold statement about Yankees' World Series chances: 'They have an easy road'
As the New York Yankees get ready to host the Cleveland Guardians for Game 1 of the ALCS on Monday night, one former Yankee thinks the team has an “easy road” to the World Series.
Alex Rodriguez knows the feeling of winning a World Series in New York. In fact, the last time the Yankees won the trophy was 2009, when Rodriguez was part of a loaded Yankees squad that defeated the Philadelphia Phillies to win the franchise’s MLB-best 27th title.
While on the Fox Sports panel after Game 1 of the NLCS, where the Los Angeles Dodgers took down the New York Mets to strike first in that series, Rodriguez’s Yankees teammate, Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, spoke about the Yankees’ chances of reaching the World Series.
Fox Sports broadcasters, from left, Kevin Burkhardt, Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz and Derek Jeter before game five between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres of the NLDS. (Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images)
“You never want to say you have. You never have an easy road to the World Series, but if the Yankees could pick and choose their opponents, I think they got the two that they would pick and choose because the success they’ve had against the AL Central,” Jeter explained.
Rodriguez was a lot stronger with his thoughts heading into the series.
“You don’t have to say it, I’ll say it: They have an easy road to the World Series,” Rodriguez replied.
“Look, it’s never easy, right? But this is the clearest path in 20 years.”
Some Yankees fans could be calling Rodriguez’s comments a jinx, while Guardians fans could be hoping their team uses something like this as “bulletin board material,” or fuel to prove Rodriguez wrong in this best-of-seven bout.
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But there is some backing that Rodriguez has for his comment regarding the clearest path in the past two decades for the Yankees.
It’s no secret New York has been trying to reach the World Series for a long time, having not done so since Rodriguez and Jeter were hoisting the trophy at Yankee Stadium in 2009. They have made it to the ALCS in recent years, but they couldn’t get past the Houston Astros in 2017, 2019 and 2022.
Well, Yankees fans were elated when the Detroit Tigers took down the Astros in the Wild Card Round, as they knew they wouldn’t have to see them at any point on their hopeful road to the Fall Classic.
Former New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is introduced at the Old Timers’ Day Ceremony at Yankee Stadium. (Wendell Cruz-USA Today Sports)
Then, while awaiting an opponent between the Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles, Yankees fans would admit they’d rather see the former because the latter gave them trouble in their AL East schedule all season. The Orioles were 8-5 against the Yankees during the 2024 regular season.
So, when the Royals took out the Orioles, once again Yankees fans were happy with the results. New York would eventually complete their ALDS victory in Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, beating the Royals in Game 4 to move on.
Meanwhile, the Guardians do come to the Bronx with loads of momentum after Lane Thomas’s clutch grand slam off AL Cy Young frontrunner Tarik Skubal in Game 5 of the ALDS, which was ultimately a kill shot to the Tigers’ Cinderella story this postseason.
The Guardians have seen the Yankees recently in the postseason, with New York beating them in five games in the ALDS in 2022. And while the Yankees are the top seed, Cleveland comes into this series with a formidable bullpen and the second-best batting average among the four teams remaining in the postseason (.234).
The Yankees are hitting at a .220 clip, with AL MVP frontrunner Aaron Judge struggling with just two hits in four games thus far. However, the Yankees went 4-2 against the Guardians this season, and they’re looking to replicate those four wins to secure a spot in what’s become an elusive series for them despite the talent and payroll on the books.
Alex Rodriguez before the game between New York and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium. (Vincent Carchietta-USA Today Sports)
It’s never an easy road, but Rodriguez is clearly confident that this is the best chance the Yankees have had since he was wearing the pinstripes.
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Calabasas pulled off a huge win in high school basketball on Tuesday night, handing Thousand Oaks its first defeat after 16 victories in a Marmonte League opener.
The Coyotes (13-5) have quietly turned around their season after a 2-4 start, winning 11 of their last 12 games.
One of the major contributors has been 6-foot-3 junior guard Johnny Thyfault, who’s averaging 16 points and has become a fan favorite because of his dunking skills. He also leads the team in taking charging fouls.
He transferred to Calabasas after his freshman year at Viewpoint.
As for beating Thousand Oaks, coach Jon Palarz said, “We got to play them at home and had great effort.”
This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
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The Atlanta Hawks have parted ways with four-time NBA All-Star point guard Trae Young, trading him to the Washington Wizards in a blockbuster move, according to ESPN.
The Hawks will reportedly be receiving veteran shooting guard CJ McCollum and forward Corey Kispert in the deal.
Washington was Young’s preferred destination, and the two sides were working on a deal to get the 27-year-old point guard to the nation’s capital.
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Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round 1 Game 6 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2023 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. ( Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Young’s agents were having conversations with the Hawks, who sit at 17-21 so far this season, about trading their client out of Atlanta.
There is a mutual connection in Washington, too, as executive Travis Schlenk drafted Young fifth overall in 2018 out of Oklahoma.
It marks the end of an era for the Hawks. Young has been the focal point of their offense since he was taken in that draft. He is the team’s career leader in three-pointers and assists, having led the team to the postseason in three of his eight seasons. The Hawks went the furthest in 2021, where they made the Eastern Conference Finals.
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However, the new era was brewing already in Atlanta, with forward Jalen Johnson taking the next step in his career, averaging 23.7 points per game this season. The pickup of Nickeil Alexander-Walker also helps, as he’s averaged 20.5 points per game in 36 appearances.
Meanwhile, Young has played just 10 games this season, as he’s been dealing with leg injuries, most notably a right MCL sprain.
Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on after the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Five of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Hawks also get some flexibility on their books, as they could make some more moves. Anthony Davis is reportedly available from the Dallas Mavericks, making him a good target for Atlanta.
Young has $95 million remaining on his deal that runs through the 2026-27 season, which includes a player option this offseason.
Atlanta will be taking on McCollum’s contract, though the veteran guard has a $30.6 million expiring deal.
Through his 10 games this season, Young is averaging 19.2 points, 8.9 assists and 1.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 41.5% from the field.
Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks drives down the court during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at State Farm Arena on April 7, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Over his career, Young has dropped 25.2 points and 9.8 assists per game, while leading the league in the latter category last season with 11.6 per contest.
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On the opening night of Mission League basketball action Wednesday, there was a huge upset, one close call and two easy victories.
Loyola, down 16 points going into the fourth quarter, started making threes and stunned Sherman Oaks Notre Dame on the road 72-68. Deuce Newt scored 23 points for the Cubs (10-9). First-year coach Cam Joyce saw his team take a leap in ability when Newt became eligible on Dec. 26 after transferring from Campbell Hall. Randall Sanders added 15 points.
No. 1-ranked Sierra Canyon (14-1) held on for a 50-47 win over St. Francis. The Golden Knights gave the Trailblazers a real scare with a chance to tie at the end of regulation. Maxi Adams made two clutch free throws in the final seconds for Sierra Canyon. Brandon McCoy had 19 points and 12 rebounds. Cherif Millogo scored 14 points for the Golden Knights.
Harvard-Westlake improved to 18-2 with an 84-51 win over Chaminade (18-2). Amir Jones made six threes and had 26 points. Joe Sterling added 21 points and Dominique Bentho had 11 points and 13 rebounds.
Crespi (14-6) defeated Bishop Alemany 87-59. Jasiah Williams and Christian Tshina-Nzambi each scored 20 points.
On Friday night, it will be Notre Dame at Sierra Canyon, Harvard-Westlake at Crespi and Chaminade at Loyola.
Arcadia 87, Burroughs 51: Owen Eteuati Edwards scored 23 points and had eight rebounds for Arcadia.
Fairfax 77, Carson 40: Dominick Bowie had 14 points for the Lions.
San Pedro 67, Hamilton 37: Chris Morgan had 14 points and eight rebounds for the Pirates (13-4).
California 105, Saddleback 77: Jair Linares had 26 points for 11-7 California.
Tesoro 78, Capistrano Valley 39: Dean Mika finished with 23 points for 18-3 Tesoro.
St. Monica 67, St. Bernard 58: St. Monica won in overtime. Jordan Ballard scored 20 points for St. Bernard.
Los Alamitos 57, Huntington Beach 47: Sophomore Isaiah Williamson contributed 11 points and 12 rebounds in the Sunset League win.
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