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Yankees drop A-Rod from Game 5 lineup

Tweeps responded quickly and enthusiastically this afternoon to manager Joe Girardi's decision to bench Alex Rodriguez for tonight's deciding match up against the Orioles. Desperate move or genius play? The game begins at 5 p.m.

Storified by Maclean's Magazine · Fri, Oct 12 2012 11:34:04

We reported early this morning #AROD was benched for game 5. And now it is confirmed #postseason #yankees http://pic.twitter.com/FeTzKi9lB Minus Blogs

Bombers bench struggling A-Rod for ALDS Game 5 http://dlvr.it/2Jg6JgRene Levy - Abdo

THANK GOD WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO AROD U SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUK http://pic.twitter.com/euWczcyqMR.ESTRELLA

No A-Rod in the lineup tonight for the Yankees. Benched in favor of Chavez. Say what you want about the Yankees, but Joe Girardi is a very good manager. I'm impressed with his baseball knowledge and ability to make gutsy decisionsVince Maughan

A-Rod no estará en el lineup para el Juego 5. http://pic.twitter.com/d0qxEl8sOdalíz López Benítez

A-Rod benched. WowJack Tilghman

Crazy how AROD gets all the blame, when cano, granderson and Swisher are doing just as badJude Legiste

Dear rest of the Yankees (minus Jeter), feel free at any time to hit a baseball. It's not just A-Rod. I guess you can't bench the whole starting lineup....Christian Uhl

BEST NEWS ALL DAY!!! Arod not in game 5 lineup ✌ http://pic.twitter.com/VdEXiB5QMari§a

Girardi sits A-Rod, smart and daring move regardless of the outcomeMichael Fishman

A-Rod benched for game 5 ALDS. Never thought i would see this in my whole entire life.Anthony Gigante

HAHA arod thats what you get goin 0-12 http://pic.twitter.com/UfUsY1nukelly

Arod is not in the lineup tonight. #SorryImNotSorryKelsey Hays

Sit down Arod. #Rauuuuul http://pic.twitter.com/5uWVP5orSarah Walewski

Screw my self imposed Twitter ban for now. LOL A-Rod.Josh Batelli

We still owe arod another 150 mil. Not bad.Jeremy Knap

Thanks coach.Paul Kimball