In case you missed it: Trailing 5-4 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, NL manager Tony LaRussa decided to keep Albert Pujols on the bench.
Four times in a row.
After Alfonso Soriano hit a two-run dong to bring the NL within striking distance, the Senior Circuit found themselves with a chance to break their ten-year losing streak.
After Alfonso Soriano hit a two-run dong to bring the NL within striking distance, the Senior Circuit found themselves with a chance to break their ten-year losing streak.
LaRussa, as the Cardinals manager, had an opportunity to get home-field advantage should his team turn it around and make it to the Promised Land again this year.
And what did he do?
He let J.J. Hardy bat, who walked to first.
He then let Derek Lee bat, who also walked to first.
Next up was Orlando Hudson. Would LaRussa pull him for Pujols?
Nope, he stuck with Hudson. Who also, magically, walked to first.
The bases were now loaded with All-Stars. Perhaps LaRussa's patience was going to pay off: Albert Pujols, the National League's best hitter, would come to bat and reverse ten years of bad memories with one swing.
He then let Derek Lee bat, who also walked to first.
Next up was Orlando Hudson. Would LaRussa pull him for Pujols?
Nope, he stuck with Hudson. Who also, magically, walked to first.
The bases were now loaded with All-Stars. Perhaps LaRussa's patience was going to pay off: Albert Pujols, the National League's best hitter, would come to bat and reverse ten years of bad memories with one swing.
Two outs, bottom of the ninth, bases loaded in a 5-4 game—the moment was perfect.
The 2007 All-Star game had somehow turned meaningfull. Even in a day and age of $20 million salaries, where Pete Rose running over Ray Fosse at home plate seems like something from a distant galaxy, this game was going to matter.
Everything that's special about baseball could be defined by the moment. There were no seconds ticking away on a clock; the talents of the pitcher and hitter alone would determine how long the game would go on.
The air was tense in Pac Bell Park. But it seemed to finally be the NL's time. And who better to take that final at bat than Albert Pujols?
But somehow, some way, Albert Pujols never came to the plate.
The air was tense in Pac Bell Park. But it seemed to finally be the NL's time. And who better to take that final at bat than Albert Pujols?
But somehow, some way, Albert Pujols never came to the plate.
Instead, to the shock and awe of millions of fans across the country, Aaron Rowand determined home field advantage in this year's World Series.
Rowand flied out and the game was over. Tony LaRussa had done the unthinkable: He took a giant crap all over the National League and his star player.
You know something's wrong with the game when one of the greatest managers in recent memory decides to keep Albert Pujols on the bench in case "they needed him in extra innings."
You know something's wrong with the game when one of the greatest managers in recent memory decides to keep Albert Pujols on the bench in case "they needed him in extra innings."
Newflash, dumbass: THE BASES WERE LOADED. A single by Pujols and the game is over.
Extra innings? The game should have been won right then and there. This can't be the real reason Tony LaRussa didn't play Pujols, could it? Maybe he was worried that Albert would pull a hamstring with that at bat?
I have the utmost respect for Tony LaRussa as a person and manager, but he seriously disappointed me last night. He showed the lack of a spine that defines the modern era of baseball, and proves that the players and managers no longer really care about the game's history.
I have the utmost respect for Tony LaRussa as a person and manager, but he seriously disappointed me last night. He showed the lack of a spine that defines the modern era of baseball, and proves that the players and managers no longer really care about the game's history.
During the most important moment of the game, Tony LaRussa took the easy way out to save his star player...whether it be for extra innings or later this season.
Pete Rose ending Ray Fosse's career for the love of the game; Tony LaRussa acting like a sissy and letting the National League lose for a tenth straight time.
These are two moments, stretched years apart, which occurred during what's alleged to be the same game traditionally played midway through the season.
But only a true jackass with half a brain could say the same sport was being played in each instance. Pete Rose played baseball in the 1970 All-Star game; Tony LaRussa played vaginaball last night.
What has happened to the national pastime?
What has happened to the national pastime?
comments (9) write a comment »
write a new comment
about 1 year ago
I love how baseball and FOX shove the notion of this game meaning something down our proverbial throats, and then we're fed the same sour taste that was left in our mouths after the All Star game ended in a tie. As a fan of baseball, and as someone who was sitting at the edge of my seat for the entirety of the 9th inning, I am insulted.
Not only did Larussa neglect to bat Pujols in that pivotal moment, but he also allowed for his middle of the order to feature the weakest bats on the squad for pulling Beltran, Wright, and Griffey. Don't tell me that the king of baseball strategy and foresight didn't notice this.
I wonder if he regrets taking Freddy Sanchez over Jason Bay now. He did not get to utilize Sanchez's position flexibility, which is the reason he selected him as the Pirates lone representative, b/c he did not pinch hit in the most crucial portion of the ball game. Furthermore, Bay probably would've been the OF sub batting with the bases loaded instead of Rowand. Angered, am I? A bit.
about 1 year ago
Stupid, stupid, only way to describe it, but then I've seen LaRussa make plenty of stupid moves over the years.
about 1 year ago
Perhaps it's time for LaRussa to consider his decisions (or lack thereof) more thoroughly. It's hard to believe a manager with his history could be so blatantly stupid. As the article stated-you play to win the game-not for a potential chance to go into extra innings. Could you imagine Phil Jackson sitting Michael Jordan down in a Bulls-Knicks playoff game with 3 seconds to go? Not only that, but Phil stating that the reason he sat Jordan was to save him for possible overtime? Complete and total nonsense. Pujols (barring any serious injury) will probably go down as one of the greatest hitters ever. No offense to the other players that batted, but if I have a chance to use perhaps the best player in the game to give me the win I'm going to do it every time. LaRussa was a disgrace last night and an embarrassment to the fans of baseball who wanted to see the best.
about 1 year ago
Vaginaball was an excellent touch.
about 1 year ago
i couldn't agree more. fucking nonsense. if there were is one person on that all star squad you wanted to see bat at that exact time it would be Pujols. not anyone else. and wtf was Rowand even on the all star team for?!?!
about 1 year ago
Rowand was on the team because he is good at vaginaball; and also breaking his nose on center field fences.
about 1 year ago
Word on the street is that Mr. Pujols was already down to his skivvies by the 9th inning and couldn't have been put in.
about 1 year ago
Yet another loss for the NL, and I am getting tired of it. I happen to despise the Cardinals and LaRussa. I had respect for him until after the All-Star Game. What a joke.... They should have let Bruce Bochy be the GM for the All-star game. I am a huge San Francisco Giant fan..and I, like other NL fans, were appalled at LaRussa's bone headed decision to keep Pujols on the bench, because he might have to use him for extra innings. I hope they don't make LaRussa the All-Star Game GM next year....God forbid! I also have to agree with the author - that LaRussa doesn't give a damn about the history of baseball.
5 days ago
Vaginaball? Genius.
write a new comment