Still has 21 HRs and 97 RBIs ...

... and it's mid-August:

"A-Rod was leading the AL with 97 RBIs going into last night, one up on Detroit's Miguel Cabrera, but his power output has diminished dramatically, with 21 home runs in 426 at bats. That represents one for every 20.3 at-bats, after coming into the season with one for every 14.3 at-bats, a significant difference.

There's also been a noticeable difference in Rodriguez's range at third base, where he's not making plays on balls he ate up his first few seasons in The Bronx."

That's funny.

ARod's defense has clearly improved. Not on days when his hip is sore, of course. Not on days when he's the designated hitter, either.


I guess I shouldn't complain.

This is clearly ARod's worst season, despite the RBIs.

At first, I was mystified by the lack of criticism: "ARod is a new man and he won a ring!"

But then when everybody notices he's having a bad year -- clearly because they started paying attention when he stalled slightly on 599 HRs -- the reaction is over the top.

This useless player will probably hit 40 HRs next year.