AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: MARINERS v YANKEES

October 15, 2000

Alex Rodriguez

ALEX RODRIGUEZ: Obviously, I think last night for the first time it hit me. I had a hard time sleeping a little bit; because, you know, you might be facing the end, and you don't know really what the future holds fore me. And for the most part in the season, I've been able to put that behind me and worry about the present. But for the first time last night, I had a hard time sleeping about the possibilities that this could be maybe it.

ALEX RODRIGUEZ: It's been very easy for me to focus this year. I've come in very determined with a goal in mind. Like I said, yesterday, for the first time, I had some thoughts creeping into my mind. But I finally got a couple hours of sleep and got ready for the game.

ALEX RODRIGUEZ: It was big, obviously. We're down 2-1; we have not really had too many big hits in this series, obviously, with the amount of runs that we've scored. I guess, like Jeff Nelson, it showed how important a situation it was for Joe to bring him in that early in the game. I was looking for a pitch, and I got it. A big hit.

ALEX RODRIGUEZ: You know, I felt that a little bit in September, because I felt an obligation as one of the leaders of this team to get this team to post-season. But for some reason, this post-season, I've been very relaxed and I felt quite at home. I haven't felt that, to be really honest with you. Perhaps against Roger last night, it looked like I was a little nervous, but he was just dominant. He dominated all of us last night. But, no.

ALEX RODRIGUEZ: Well, the thought never really crossed my mind. With Edgar behind me, I have known the success that he's had against the Yankees. He's been a Yankee killer over the years. So I felt that I wanted to be aggressive. I didn't want to put myself in a vulnerable position with two strikes, where Jeff Nelson can do many things with that sweeping slider or that sinker in on your hands. My main goal was to stay inside on the ball, and two was a big bonus.

ALEX RODRIGUEZ: Well, pray a lot, for one. He's a great pitcher. We've had a little success against him this year early in the year, and he had success against us last time in New York. But he's going to be ready. I think the way you attack him is that you have to be aggressive. You have to be selective. But he's going to give you a pitch to hit. We just want to get it to Game 7 and extend it somehow, some way, and make it a little difficult on these New Yorkers.

ALEX RODRIGUEZ: I'm not sure. Jeff Nelson can be very slow or he can be very fast to the plate. I was ready to go every pitch. And if he would have given me the leg kick, I was gone. But he kept slide-stepping. And perhaps, just perhaps, he threw a fastball over the plate where he didn't want it, but I'm not sure.

ALEX RODRIGUEZ: I'm not sure. I think it's good that we finished with a victory. Obviously, in your mind you would like to think that we're going to have another chance to play here. But the one thing I am sure of is you don't want any team celebrating on your field, if, indeed, it is going to be your last game. You don't want anybody celebrating on your field.

ALEX RODRIGUEZ: You're right. Obviously, you become a bit apprehensive about the possibilities. And my mom has always told me, "Sometimes it's not greener on the other side." That's something that when it is all said and done, I'm going to sit down and have a talk with my loved ones and hopefully make a wise decision.