Regardless if the New York Yankees hang on to eliminate the Philadelphia Phillies and win the World Series, fans won’t be able to hang the blame on Alex Rodriguez.

This year, the Yankees have had to rely on Rodriguez more than ever in the postseason despite the fact they have the highest payroll in Major League Baseball history. When New York needed a big hit during its run to the verge of winning the World Series, Rodriguez has come through more times than not.

This is a change from the last few postseason appearances for Rodriguez. In 2007, Rodriguez hit a respectable .267, but when it came time to drive in runs in the clutch — he was a disappointment. He managed one home run and that accounted for his lone run batted in as the Yankees were knocked out of the Division Series by the Cleveland Indians in four games.

It wasn’t much better for Rodriguez in 2006. Rodriguez hit a meager .071 and didn’t manage to record a home run or a RBI as the Detroit Tigers bounced the Yankees out of the postseason in four games in the Division Series.

Once again, the 2005 postseason was not kind to Rodriguez. He hit .133 and once again was unable to register a home run or a RBI in the Yankees’ loss to the Los Angeles Angels in five games in the Division Series.

This season, Rodriguez is tearing the cover off the baseball and making up for his mediocre postseason appearances. While putting up big numbers this season will not make up for his failures during the other postseason appearances, it does help to make people forget.

Before Wednesday’s game, Rodriguez was hitting .360 with six home runs and 18 RBI during the playoffs. The home run and RBI totals nearly doubled what he had accomplished during his other playoff appearances with the Yankees and the Seattle Mariners. Rodriguez had seven home runs and 17 RBI during his postseason career before his offensive explosion this year.

Rodriguez’s bat has been so potent this postseason, Angels manager Mike Scioscia intentionally walked Rodriguez on several occasions leading off an inning during the American League Championship Series.

Even though Philadelphia’s Chase Utley is ripping through the Yankees’ pitching staff like Reggie Jackson did for the Yankees in the 1977 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Rodriguez is still “Mr. Playoffs.”

As Jackson was hitting five home runs against the Dodgers to earn the nickname “Mr. October,” few remember his struggles against the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS. Jackson hit only .125 against the Royals and didn’t slug a home run and only drove in one in the series.

While I’m not huge fan of Rodriguez, it is good to see him succeeded on the baseball’s biggest stage, especially this season. During the spring, when he half-heartedly admitted using steroids and missed the first part of the season with a hip injury, he could have tossed in the towel on the year and no one could have blamed him.

Instead, he battled back and continued down the path towards a possible induction into the Hall of Fame. Before he admitted taking steroids, no one would argue he was a near lock for a first ballot selection.

This season may be a turning point in Rodriguez’s career where he now becomes a threat not only during the regular season, but the postseason as well. And more importantly, understands what it takes to fulfill his potential as the best player in baseball.