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Levine: Long Season Taking Toll On Abreu

(CBS) -- The numbers certainly don't lie when looking at Jose Abreu's season.

The Rookie of the Year candidate has continued to build his batting average while his power numbers have shrunk. In baseball jargon, the 27-year-old Cuban has gone to his "emergency swing: over the past 50 games.

With the Rookie award in the bag, Abreu's accomplishments have been documented, despite the drastic drop in run production the past month. Abreu, who was once on pace for 45 home runs and 120 RBI, has stopped driving runs. He is sitting on zero home runs and zero RBI in a September that covers 30 at bats.

"I don't see him backing off of his work," Manager Robin Ventura says. "Most guys, when they get tired, they really don't want to do anything. He still comes in early and works out. Part of it is dealing with a long season. You will have spurts where you don't hit it that well. He has made a big comeback, average-wise."

Abreu has added 25 points to his batting average, despite losing his power stroke the past six weeks. That type of adjustment speaks volumes about his baseball IQ and the unselfish way he approaches his at-bats. A part of the experience of playing the 162-game schedule for the first time is just getting used to the drill.

"It took me  a few years to be able to do it," says Ventura, who came from Oklahoma State playing an 85-game schedule, including college World Series action.

"You go from the amateur schedule to 162 games -- that really jumps on you. Once you get to 125-130, you realize the enormity of it. The quality of pitching is also something that impacts the transition," he adds.

Teammate and fellow Cuban Alexei Ramirez, had to deal with the same problem of adjusting to 162 games after playing a 95-game schedule in Cuba.

"The most we played in Cuba would be 120, but that included the playoffs," Ramirez said "As a player, you just learn to prepare yourself for more games. There is an adjustment, but we all learn how to make it. I only told him to enjoy the game. He has really done that all season. I think he has done great."

The slugging first baseman/DH will look at the power numbers drop as part of his transition to major league baseball. Even the most savvy veteran runs out of gas after playing the long season.

"He really has uncanny way of getting things done," catcher Tyler Flowers said. "Once in a while, he will take a swing that does not look good, compared to the rest of us; not as often. I believe he has solidified his role as the leader of this team and the new staple of the organization, offensively."

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