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November 2, 2009

A-Rod homer topic of local debate



PLATTSBURGH — In a World Series with innumerable crucial, game-changing plays and calls, one of the most talked about remains Alex Rodriguez's disputed home run in Game 3 Saturday night.

The New York Yankees' third-baseman had smacked a ball that hit a camera behind the right-field wall, and it bounced back onto the field.

At first, the play was called a double, but after the first replay review in World Series history, game officials agreed that it was a home run.

Eric Omalley, 34, of Plattsburgh has been a Phillies' fan for 10 years, initially because his dad is from Philadelphia.

He was upset about A-Rod's home run and said the umpires went to a back room for two minutes, then ruled the call a homer.

"It was a bogus call."

But Scott Smith, 34, a bartender at Woodstock in downtown Plattsburgh, thinks the call was right on.

He has been a Yankees fan for 10 years. His favorite player is captain Derek Jeter, whom Smith describes as "a real hard-nose player."

Jim Manchester, 37, of Plattsburgh is also a Yankees' fan and also a big Jeter fan.

"He does everything right," said Manchester, who coaches baseball for Plattsburgh High School.

Manchester also brought up A-Rod's homer.

"I'm very happy about that," he said with a smile.

Not all the love was for the Yankees, though.

Victor Gabriel, 23, a student at Plattsburgh State, is a Red Sox fan but has been rooting for the Philadelphia Phillies for the World Series — he just doesn't want to see the Yankees win.

Matt Kipp, a Plattsburgh State student, has been a Yankees' fan his entire life.

"The first thing I remember is watching games with my grandpa."

Kipp's favorite player was Mike "Moose" Mussina, who retired last year.

"I don't have a favorite this year. Hitting has been a little slow."

But Kipp remains optimistic.

"We need to get on Cliff Lee," he said Sunday. "Then we could take the series."

Caitlin Haggerty, 21, another student at the college, said she is a Yankees' fan, which she attributes to her father, who is an avid sports fan.

"I love watching," she said. "I like (Jorge) Posada. It takes skill to be a catcher. It's the hardest position."

Ravi Brahmbhatt, a resident assistant at Plattsburgh State, showed Game 4 on a big-screen projector for a floor program Sunday evening.

"I'm expecting 40 people to show up," he said. "There will be free pizza and chicken wings."

Jenna Manders, 21, a Plattsburgh State student, said she loves Andy Pettitte.

"He has the most pickoffs of any pitcher at first base."

The highlight of Game 3 for her was Hideki Matsui's home run.

Manders said that she is a Yankees' fan because her parents are.

"That's just how I was raised."

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