Alex Rios Has Heart and Hustle

[DeadMoney]

Originally Posted by SoxSpeed22

I was one of the many who wanted Rios gone last season, but I'm more than happy to eat my words this season. It is pretty difficult to believe the differences between this season and last season for him.

I mean as of NOW, the comparisons are unheard of:
2011: 145 games, 122 Hs, 22 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 13 HRs, 44 RBIs, 11 SBs, .227/.265/.348
2012: 96 games, 115 Hs, 23 2Bs, 5 3Bs, 16 HRs. 60 RBIs, 14 SBs, .314/.350/.536

[SOXSINCE'70]

Originally Posted by cws05champ

That was when he was batting .220....

For me,it was in 2009 and 2011.

[palehosepub]

Originally Posted by Harry Chappas

This is anecdotal at best, but Rios' body language this season speaks volumes about where his mind is at. He's smiling in the dugout, fist-pumping after big hits, etc. It's like night and day. I don't recall a player in my lifetime going from loathed to loved like Rios. His 180 is even more shocking to me than Dunn and Peavy's.

In my opinion the mark of the true characther of a person is how they act when times are tough. Alex pouted last year. He did not always run hard. He was caught napping on a few plays in the outfield last year. He missed the cutoff man.

He is doing great this year, I agree he could be the team MVP. You could make a comparison to Swisher in 2008 who was "Mister Happy & Positive" until he slumped during the second half of the year and was benched frequently - then he pouted and became a distraction to the team.

I dont care about the award but I would hope we recognize people who show consistent character and act professional whether they are going bad or good. Like Baines. Konerko. And Buehrle.

I hope Alex can stay in the groove because he really does have a lot of talent and can elevate a team.

[doublem23]

Originally Posted by palehosepub

I dont care about the award but I would hope we recognize people who show consistent character and act professional whether they are going bad or good. Like Baines. Konerko. And Buehrle.

Isn't the flip to that, though, people who don't show signs of stress and disappointment when things are going bad, people who just don't care?

[palehosepub]

Originally Posted by doublem23

Isn't the flip to that, though, people who don't show signs of stress and disappointment when things are going bad, people who just don't care?

Theres a significant difference between showing stress and disappointment and losing your professionalism by not hustling or paying attention to a game situation. Alex's heart and head were not in the game at times last year because he was sulking.

[LITTLE NELL]

Originally Posted by JB98

Rios is the best player on the team this year. Who would have thought?

I would have traded him last year for a bucket of bolts. Got to give him tons of credit for changing that horrible batting stance and playing like the 5 tool player he should be.

[Irishsox1]

Look at the stats, he was horrible but he was out of position. Could the change to right and a change in batting stance make all the difference?

However, I'm going to hold onto my final grade on Alex Rios until the end of the season.

[TheVulture]

Rios' problems last year at the plate were purely mechanical - not just his stance, but mainly instead of simply dropping his hands into his swinging motion he was jerking his hands back and up while initiating his swing. I would imagine it a bit tough to hit major league pitching with that approach.

As far as his perceived attitude last year, let's not forget the Ozzie-taking-a dump-on-the-team factor.

[palehozenychicty]

I'm happy that Alex has played well. He should be a premiere player in the AL.

Let's see if he can sustain it and do that again next year.