A-Rod homer topic of local debate

Local News

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.

comments powered by Disqus

November 2, 2009

By VANESSA WHITE The Press Republican Mon Nov 02, 2009, 11:46 PM EST

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."