As you are probably aware if you read this blog regularly, I am a big St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan.
So with that in mind let me say congratulations to two former Cardinal managers, Tony La Russa and Joe Torre who were inducted in the National Baseball Hall of Fame earlier this afternoon. I wasn't always a fan of La Russa's, especially when he decided to bat the pitcher eight, but I do respect what he did and what he has done for the game of baseball. La Russa won three World Series. He won one of the Series with Oakland in '89 and the other two with the Cardinals in '06 and '11.
Joe Torre played for and managed the Cardinals during his career. He played third base for the Redbirds in the early 70's and in 1971 won the National League MVP award for the monstrous year he had at the plate. As a teenager I can remember going to Busch Stadium and knowing that Torre would be hitting wicked line drives against whomever the opponent sent out. Torre, as he stated in his induction speech, was elected to the Hall of Fame for one reason; he won four World Series while managing the New York Yankees. But, he also managed the Cardinals in the early to mid '90s. Those teams weren't very good and Torre didn't have much talent to manage. Still, I always liked the way he handled his pitching staff and his regulars.
Again, congratulations Joe Torre and Tony La Russa!
Showing posts with label Tony LaRussa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tony LaRussa. Show all posts
July 27, 2014
February 17, 2014
Tony LaRussa
Since, I last posted, former St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa was elected to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. Congratulations to you Mr. LaRussa on your selection. I was not a big fan of yours while you managed the Cardinals. In fact I publically was critical of some of your moves such as hitting the pitcher eighth. But, I do respect you and what you accomplished in Saint Louis by winning two World Series championships.
I wish you had chosen the Cardinals hat on your HOF plaque, but again I respect your decision in not wanting to short the fans of Oakland where you also managed a World Series champion and the Chicago White Sox where you got your start as a big league skipper.
Congratulations on a job well done!
I wish you had chosen the Cardinals hat on your HOF plaque, but again I respect your decision in not wanting to short the fans of Oakland where you also managed a World Series champion and the Chicago White Sox where you got your start as a big league skipper.
Congratulations on a job well done!
November 02, 2011
What a Weekend
The Cardinals won the Series on Friday night. Then on Saturday Mizzou came from an eleven point deficit to win on the road, and the St. Louis Rams pulled off a huge upset on Sunday afternoon against the powerful New Orleans Saints.
What do the football wins have in common? Both of their coaches cited the Cards never say die attitude. Coach Gary Pinkel guided his Tigers to a 38-31 OT win over Texas A&M. It was the first time in years Missouri had beaten a ranked opponent on the road. Afterwards he told reporters, the Cards were his team's inspiration.
On Sunday, the Cardinals were on the sidelines at the Jones dome prior to kickoff and players from both St. Louis franchises mingled and traded handshakes. The Rams then went out and won their first game of the year over New Orleans who had been a huge 13 point favorite on the road. When the game ended coach Steve Spagnuolo gave credit to Cardinal manager Tony LaRussa for bringing his team to the game and cited them as the Ram's inspiration.
What do the football wins have in common? Both of their coaches cited the Cards never say die attitude. Coach Gary Pinkel guided his Tigers to a 38-31 OT win over Texas A&M. It was the first time in years Missouri had beaten a ranked opponent on the road. Afterwards he told reporters, the Cards were his team's inspiration.
On Sunday, the Cardinals were on the sidelines at the Jones dome prior to kickoff and players from both St. Louis franchises mingled and traded handshakes. The Rams then went out and won their first game of the year over New Orleans who had been a huge 13 point favorite on the road. When the game ended coach Steve Spagnuolo gave credit to Cardinal manager Tony LaRussa for bringing his team to the game and cited them as the Ram's inspiration.
September 29, 2011
Congratulations Cardinals and Rays
Six weeks ago I gave up on the St. Louis Cardinals and declared them to "officially suck". Apparently, I was wrong. The team completed an improbable run to the playoffs with an 8-0 win last night over the hapless Houston Astros and finished the season as the National League Wild Card champion.
This Cardinal team trailed the Atlanta Braves by 10 1/2 games in late August and to be honest I had stopped watching. I just couldn't stand the poor defense, mediocre relief pitching and crappy management by Tony LaRussa. But, with the aid of one of the biggest chokes of all times by the Braves, the Cardinals are now in Major League Baseball's 2011 World Series tournament.
As amazing as the Cards were in overcoming that huge deficit, the Tampa Bay Rays overcome even bigger odds. The Rays clinched the Wild Card spot in the American League with a come from behind win over the evil New York Yankees. The Yanks led at one point 7-0, but the Rays kept battling and came back to tie it with a two out solo homer in the bottom of the ninth. Then in the bottom of the 12th Evan Longoria hit a walkoff homerun to win the game 8-7. At the same time an even bigger choke artist, the Boston Red Sox, blew a lead to a bad Baltimore Orioles team, and the Rays are in the playoffs. Hey Boston, don't let the door hit you in the ass.
Watch out now, because while the Yanks (the best team money could buy) had the best record in the American League this year, I believe the Rays are to them what Kryptonite is to Superman. It should be a fun post season.
This Cardinal team trailed the Atlanta Braves by 10 1/2 games in late August and to be honest I had stopped watching. I just couldn't stand the poor defense, mediocre relief pitching and crappy management by Tony LaRussa. But, with the aid of one of the biggest chokes of all times by the Braves, the Cardinals are now in Major League Baseball's 2011 World Series tournament.
As amazing as the Cards were in overcoming that huge deficit, the Tampa Bay Rays overcome even bigger odds. The Rays clinched the Wild Card spot in the American League with a come from behind win over the evil New York Yankees. The Yanks led at one point 7-0, but the Rays kept battling and came back to tie it with a two out solo homer in the bottom of the ninth. Then in the bottom of the 12th Evan Longoria hit a walkoff homerun to win the game 8-7. At the same time an even bigger choke artist, the Boston Red Sox, blew a lead to a bad Baltimore Orioles team, and the Rays are in the playoffs. Hey Boston, don't let the door hit you in the ass.
Watch out now, because while the Yanks (the best team money could buy) had the best record in the American League this year, I believe the Rays are to them what Kryptonite is to Superman. It should be a fun post season.
August 21, 2010
Redbirds are Stinking it Up
This year's version of the St. Louis Cardinals is an enigma. They win when they have to against relatively good teams, but then when they play the lower division outfits, they stink up the place.
The team has lost four in a row now and really aren't playing very good defense and at times just lack hustle. This squad should have been 5 - 10 games out in front of the rest of the division by now but instead are 4.5 behind the Cincinnati Reds at the start of play today. Granted the Cards have been beaten up by injuries all year and have lost their 4 & 5 starters. They've also lost games at third base and in the outfield due to injuries.
But, as hurt as the team has been this year, they still have more raw talent than anyone else in the NL Central. My thought is something is missing from this squad. And my guess is there is a divisiveness or dissension on the team. If that's the case it's manager Tony LaRussa's job to figure out how to make everyone play nice together. But, the bottom line is the Birds are not winning like they should be and now are in serious danger of missing the playoffs. I may be wrong, but this club doesn't look like it has any fight in it and it is just going through the motions.
The team has lost four in a row now and really aren't playing very good defense and at times just lack hustle. This squad should have been 5 - 10 games out in front of the rest of the division by now but instead are 4.5 behind the Cincinnati Reds at the start of play today. Granted the Cards have been beaten up by injuries all year and have lost their 4 & 5 starters. They've also lost games at third base and in the outfield due to injuries.
But, as hurt as the team has been this year, they still have more raw talent than anyone else in the NL Central. My thought is something is missing from this squad. And my guess is there is a divisiveness or dissension on the team. If that's the case it's manager Tony LaRussa's job to figure out how to make everyone play nice together. But, the bottom line is the Birds are not winning like they should be and now are in serious danger of missing the playoffs. I may be wrong, but this club doesn't look like it has any fight in it and it is just going through the motions.
July 07, 2010
Bad Times for the Redbirds in Denver
The St. Louis Cardinals had the dubious distinction of giving up 9 runs in the ninth inning last night and losing to the Colorado Rockies 12-9. The Cardinal bats have been quiet much of the season, but broke out last night in a big way and the team actually led 9-2 in the seventh inning.
But then the arson squad...er, bullpen, came in and played giveaway with the Rockies. Well not the entire bullpen. The 6th and 7th innings went well enough as manager Tony LaRussa burned through three pitchers to get six outs. In the 8th and 9th Dennys Reyes and Ryan Franklin couldn't throw strikes and the Rockies teed off on them when they did. Franklin ended the game by hanging a pitch over the plate that was driven out by Seth Smith for a three run dinger.
In fairness to LaRussa, he was playing in Coors Field where a four run lead doesn't mean much. But, why did he take starter Blake Hawksworth out after only five innings when he had a 6-2 lead? And why didn't LaRussa use Mitchell Boggs who was available and who has been pitching fairly well lately? LaRussa's actions at times are hard to comprehend. Again I'll give him the Coors Field angle of being in a place where a lot of runs can be scored in a hurry (as the Rockies proved last night). But, at this rate his relief staff is going to be worn out by September. Let's hope the Cardinal hitters come to life and pick up the slack.
And to top off the bad news from Colorado, Brad Penny attempted to throw yesterday and reported morepain. That stopped the session short and Penny is back in St. Louis looking at medical options.
But then the arson squad...er, bullpen, came in and played giveaway with the Rockies. Well not the entire bullpen. The 6th and 7th innings went well enough as manager Tony LaRussa burned through three pitchers to get six outs. In the 8th and 9th Dennys Reyes and Ryan Franklin couldn't throw strikes and the Rockies teed off on them when they did. Franklin ended the game by hanging a pitch over the plate that was driven out by Seth Smith for a three run dinger.
In fairness to LaRussa, he was playing in Coors Field where a four run lead doesn't mean much. But, why did he take starter Blake Hawksworth out after only five innings when he had a 6-2 lead? And why didn't LaRussa use Mitchell Boggs who was available and who has been pitching fairly well lately? LaRussa's actions at times are hard to comprehend. Again I'll give him the Coors Field angle of being in a place where a lot of runs can be scored in a hurry (as the Rockies proved last night). But, at this rate his relief staff is going to be worn out by September. Let's hope the Cardinal hitters come to life and pick up the slack.
And to top off the bad news from Colorado, Brad Penny attempted to throw yesterday and reported morepain. That stopped the session short and Penny is back in St. Louis looking at medical options.
February 29, 2008
A Double Standard
The St. Louis Cardinals have a double standard. This week they let utility player Scott Spezio go after he was indicted by a grand jury in California.
It seems Spezio has issues with alcohol and got himself in trouble with Orange County deputies. According to reports Spezio allegedly punched a neighbor after he ran his car into a fence in December after drinking. The Birds immediately released him and will pay him two plus million dollars this year. And then buyout his contract next year.
But the double standard lies in the way the Cardinals treat different individuals. Redbird manager Tony LaRussa was convicted of driving while under the influence last year and the Cardinals rewarded him by renewing his contract for two years.
It seems to me LaRussa should be canned too. If the Cardinals are serious about alcohol and substance abuse then LaRussa needs to be fired for his drunk driving.
It seems Spezio has issues with alcohol and got himself in trouble with Orange County deputies. According to reports Spezio allegedly punched a neighbor after he ran his car into a fence in December after drinking. The Birds immediately released him and will pay him two plus million dollars this year. And then buyout his contract next year.
But the double standard lies in the way the Cardinals treat different individuals. Redbird manager Tony LaRussa was convicted of driving while under the influence last year and the Cardinals rewarded him by renewing his contract for two years.
It seems to me LaRussa should be canned too. If the Cardinals are serious about alcohol and substance abuse then LaRussa needs to be fired for his drunk driving.
September 20, 2007
Bye Bye Birdies
Ten days ago I wrote the St. Louis Cardinals were taunting their fans by playing poor baseball but still hanging around in the National League Central pennant race.
The Cardinals are no longer contenders and their season is done except for playing out the final week and a half of the season. Granted the primary reason for the collapse from their world championship last year to also rans this year is very simple; injuries. But in the past two weeks the Cardinals managed to lose eleven of 13 games to prove to the rest of the world just how bad they are. Some of the Redbirds are already just going through the motions.
It will be an interesting off season around the Cardinal front office. In the case of Tony LaRussa his imminent departure may be addition by subtraction. He has won two World Championships and I respect him for that. But, his personality and style leave much to be desired. He has insulted the intelligence of Cardinal fans, whom I believe to be the most knowledgeable in the nation. LaRussa continues to try and prove managers of the past 120 years wrong by hitting his pitcher eighth. And he must also be responsible for the demise of his pitching staff. He had a five man rotation that was struggling but winning. Then out of the blue he goes with a six man rotation and the Cards immediately started to lose. Hey Tony baseball isn't rocket science. You see the ball, you hit the ball. You pitch the ball, and you catch the ball.
If I were in General Manager Walt Jocketty's position I would make everyone available for trading this winter with three exceptions; Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright. But, it may be someone else who pulls the trigger on those trades. Jocketty is also said to be leaving with his buddy LaRussa at the end of the season.
The Cardinals are no longer contenders and their season is done except for playing out the final week and a half of the season. Granted the primary reason for the collapse from their world championship last year to also rans this year is very simple; injuries. But in the past two weeks the Cardinals managed to lose eleven of 13 games to prove to the rest of the world just how bad they are. Some of the Redbirds are already just going through the motions.
It will be an interesting off season around the Cardinal front office. In the case of Tony LaRussa his imminent departure may be addition by subtraction. He has won two World Championships and I respect him for that. But, his personality and style leave much to be desired. He has insulted the intelligence of Cardinal fans, whom I believe to be the most knowledgeable in the nation. LaRussa continues to try and prove managers of the past 120 years wrong by hitting his pitcher eighth. And he must also be responsible for the demise of his pitching staff. He had a five man rotation that was struggling but winning. Then out of the blue he goes with a six man rotation and the Cards immediately started to lose. Hey Tony baseball isn't rocket science. You see the ball, you hit the ball. You pitch the ball, and you catch the ball.
If I were in General Manager Walt Jocketty's position I would make everyone available for trading this winter with three exceptions; Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright. But, it may be someone else who pulls the trigger on those trades. Jocketty is also said to be leaving with his buddy LaRussa at the end of the season.
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