The N.L. stars had the bases loaded with 2 out and they send up Aaron Rowand. I'm not knocking Rowand but if I have a power hitter sitting on the bench and the game is on the line well then I want him batting.
2007-07-10 19:22:48 · 18 answers · asked by brothalove1987 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
He was saving Pujols? Uhh for what? You want to save one of the top power hitters in the game for extra innings, and send Rowand up to bat with the game on the line? Crappy managing... Is it just me or was what Pujols and La Russa said to each other after the game seem like there is some friction between the two? Pujols saying he doesn't care what La Russa says, and La Russa saying he doesn't care what Pujols thinks. I think that La Russa should have shown more respect to his best player for the the past 4,5 years.
2007-07-10 19:32:02 · answer #1 · answered by Jujubear. 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't know if you can knock LaRussa for letting Rowand hit. They didn't need a power hitter at that point. They only needed a single to win the game. With 2 down, the runners would have run on contact and not had a problem scoring from 2nd on a single. Rowand and Pujols are both currently hitting .310 and Rowand was already in the game. That being said, he could have put Pujols in as well and no one would have second guessed him. Pujols has performed in the clutch, 05 NL playoffs against Brad Lidge. Also, he has a higher On Base percentage, strikes out less and walks more. Putting Pujols in though at that point might have sparked conversations though of LaRussa favoring his player though if he didn't deliver and we also don't know what other factors went into him not entering the game at all so NO!
2007-07-11 02:36:19 · answer #2 · answered by Christopher B 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Of course he should have, even if Rowand is having his best offensive year ever, he's 4-7 with the bases jammed this season, and he has the same BA as Pujols this year.
But all that aside, this situation was crying for Albert to take a shot. Even in a comparatively down yeat, he walks more, strikes out less, and is still the much, much better hitter of the two.
No true baseball fan would have second-guessed LaRussa for 'favoring' his own player there, any baseball fan worth his salt would've thoroughly enjoyed the drama of Pujols v. K-Rod with two outs int he bottm of the 9th, bases loaded, down by one.
LaRussa blew it!
2007-07-11 09:46:38 · answer #3 · answered by Da Whispering Genius 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LaRussa is a moron. Pujols is a better power and AVG hitter than Rowand by a long shot. Its not even close. Bases were LOADED. All LaRussa needed was a single from Pujols the game is over.
What is this nonsense about extra innings.
Bases WERE LOADED!
IT WAS TWO OUTS!
RUNNERS TAKE OFF ON CONTACT!!
LARUSSA YOU ARE AN IDIOT!!
and OF ALL THE PEOPLE IT IS ROWAND!! OH MY GOD!! ROWAND CANT HIT FOR ****!! WAKE THE HELL UP!!
2007-07-11 06:19:36 · answer #4 · answered by jasonpickles 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so because Aaron Rowand is an all-star too and he deserved it and LaRussa said that he was keeping Albert Pujols just in case the game went into extras. We don't want a replay of 2002...
2007-07-11 02:38:39 · answer #5 · answered by Toxic Valentine 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it is just an All-Star game, not life and death! I think people should just pipe down, it does not matter. Now if it did matter the fans wouldn't be voting. Home field doesn't mean a thing in baseball, not in the 2-3-2 format. If it mattered, then when Lee struck out it would have been called. Yes, Lee struck out but because it's an Exhibition they didn't call it. Frankly some teams are better off not having home field because they are better on the road. So LaRussa didn't play Pujols when you thought he should have, Big Deal! I am sure he is just going to lose so much sleep tonight because people disagree with his moves. Apparently he isn't so bad because the last time I checked he has won more than one World Series. So all you armchair managers can just leave the tough decisions to the people with the jobs!
2007-07-11 02:56:18 · answer #6 · answered by Veritas et Aequitas () 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Game on the line, Rowand was the last batter, unless he walked. A hit, game over. Gotta put in Pujols, if nothing else but for the drama. Rowand is a fader anyway. Great, gutsy fielder, but please: who do you really want to see with a bat in his hands and the game on the line?
2007-07-11 03:25:42 · answer #7 · answered by janeynbruce 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
This is a fan's game and I'm sure the fans would of wanted to see the best player at bat with the game on the line. La Russa made a stupid move. I still say: Go National League!!
2007-07-11 03:50:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Na he did right. Lucky Young got up to make it interesting, otherwise it would've gone 1-2-3 to end the game. Tony is a great manager almost tied it and a chance to win so close but a job well done. The American league has great players. Amazingly great players. Specially them boyz from the D. Yes I'm talking about Detroit Tigers, I think they have the best team in baseball. LOL can you tell I'm a Detroiter yet? National league needs to switch up and have a DH. You might get some real all stars to play in that league. More runs in a game, its just better. Until then happy losing trails. Peace.
2007-07-11 02:38:58 · answer #9 · answered by "Priest" 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I totally agree that was by far the dumbest move. Don't know if he would of been able to do any better, but I'm guessing he probably would of done better than Rowand.
2007-07-11 03:18:59 · answer #10 · answered by amethyst 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋