The holding him back argument is moot as with the bases loaded and 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth down by 1 what are you waiting for. I can understand holding back pitchers but not hitters. Let the guy bat. If he gets a hit the NL wins game over. If he gets an out NL loses game over. Only a very shallow hit or a walk puts this game into extras and if it does just move guys around to fill the positions. You had several guys on the field that could have played outfield if needed.
2007-07-11 04:32:32
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answer #1
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answered by SoccerClipCincy 7
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I can understand keeping JJ Hardy and DerekLee to hit but bases loaded 2 outs in the bottom of ninth, Aaron Rowand is up?! No offense but Rowand isn't the guy you want to be hitting in a clutch moment. Down 5-4 on the scoreboard, any base hit is most likely going to score at least 2 runs since the bases are loaded. So there's a very very high chance that it won't go to extra inning, no need to hold back a player. LaRussa should have pinch hit Pujols in, that was a manager mistake. Pujols is the man you want in that situation, he's proven he can do it before.
2007-07-11 07:14:41
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answer #2
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answered by badaboom 3
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I think LaRussa sat Pujols so he'd be completely rested up when the regular season returns. He probably figured he could force every other teams top players to play one extra game of baseball, while his star sat on the bench and rested. I'm not sure how great an advantage that will really give the Cards, I mean 1 extra exhibition game where everyone half-a**es it isn't going to make much of a difference in a season with 162 games. Plus Pujols is ticked off at LaRussa for not letting him play, so he'll have that to deal with for the next few weeks. Seems like an over-elaborate ploy which won't gain much of anything.
2007-07-11 06:59:52
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answer #3
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answered by numbnuts 3
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I agree with "badaboom". Pujols has every right to be p'd off at LaRussa if LaRussa did not discuss this strategy w/ him beforehand, and get his "okay".
Pujols is not only his star player, but along with Bonds - has been the best player in the NL since he entered the major leagues in 2001. Yes, Rowand is having a good year for him, and Pujols is having a down year by his lofty standards. But, even in a down year, Pujols is less likely to strike out, much more likely to walk, and given his career numbers, he was easily the player that any baseball fan (even me, a Phillies fan) would rather see up there.
Again, if he discussed it before with Albert, and Albert "forgot", then maybe I give LaRussa a pass here. Otherwise, LaRussa is an idiot!
2007-07-11 09:15:01
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answer #4
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answered by Da Whispering Genius 4
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LaRussa said he was holding Pujols back in case the game went into extra innings and he needed another hitter. Managers have to do that in an all star game.
It wasn't that bad of a move, since Pujols' versatility would have allowed LaRussa to use him at several positions if the game went long.
2007-07-11 06:33:53
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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How quickly people forget. Remember the All-Star Game just a few years ago that had to be called off in extra innings due to no available players left on the bench? Managers from here on will be holding back a player or two in close games to prevent that from ever happening again.
2007-07-11 07:09:51
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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Thats because now that Pujols is 34 years old (I dont care what it says he's listed at) and cant get his HGH supply anymore, his numbers are way down and Rowand had a better chance to get a hit.
2007-07-11 09:13:24
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answer #7
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answered by J-Far 6
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I just don't buy this "resting his best player" argument. If he had pinch hit in the ninth with the bases loaded, gotten a hit, and ended the game, how tired could he have gotten? And if he had made an out instead, how tired could he have gotten? Doesn't make sense and I don't blame Albert for being pissed.
2007-07-11 09:01:23
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answer #8
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answered by Sarge 3
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I wonder if, when the All-Star game comes to St.Louis in 2009, and, if LaRussa is still manager of the Cardinals, and, if any Cardinals are in the line-up, if LaRussa will put any of them in to play. ;)
2007-07-11 08:16:21
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answer #9
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answered by Dorth 6
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That was actually smart. Instead of letting his player run the risk of getting hurt, he let everybody else's.
2007-07-11 06:34:37
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answer #10
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answered by Ashleyjr09 2
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