I am going to criticize Alex Rodriguez.

Not just to be contrarian,  but just observing his play.

ARod has one HR in his last 16 games.  About 60 at-bats.  That HR hit off the top of the wall in right-center field at Yankee Stadium.

Can you imagine the scrutiny and criticism ARod would have received if he'd hit only one HR in his first 60 at-bats after coming off the DL?  After the steroid confessions?

Now, I'm open to the idea that ARod's career is built on steroids.  I don't think it is, but he has to prove it on the field and the skeptics have plenty of ammo.  

Eight HRs in 108 at-bats is certainly not a cause for concern.  Nor is a 60 at-bat slump, per se.  Not particularly unusual.

But how many of these HRs have been 400-foot blasts?

ARod's HRs are optical illusions.  He takes a quick swing, the OFer thinks he's going to catch it, and the ball sails fifty feet over the wall.

I haven't seen it so far this year.

Could be the hip, could be small sample size.  I wouldn't be shocked at all if ARod hits 40 HRs in an abbreviated season.

But it's quite interesting that he has diverted scrutiny simply because of a few well-timed HRs.