What do you think about La Russa not playing his own player ALBERT PUJOLS in the All Star game?

Question

First off, I am a Cardinals fan. And when I saw that it was the 6th inning then into the 7th inning, I was already getting pissed off that Pujols had not been in the game yet, especially considering La Russa was the manager of the NL All Star team. Then came the 9th inning and it was clear Pujols was not gonna play at all. I was pissed and confused at the same time. Why wouldn't La Russa play his own player who he claims to love and respect so much? He knew Pujols wanted to play. Then after the game and after Pujols understandably questioned why he didnt get to play, La Russa said things, like how he would play him12th and after Freddy Sanchez

pujols is a lower priorty than freddy sanchez to la russa??? are u ******* serious???

larussa said...
"If he wants to get upset, he can get upset, whatever he wants to do, he can do. It's America. That wasn't the most important thing tonight."

You're referring to why you didn't play Pujols and saying that "it's America".......?

I couldn't fit anymore.....but if La Russa wants to put Freddy Sanchez and 3 other back ups in front of Pujols, then La Russa needs to leave St. Louis. I dont care if hes trying to send a message to Pujols to get him to play better. Everyone has their off years and this is Pujols' worst year so far and he still is the most productive player on the Cardinals and still made the All Star team. I have always been indifferent to La Russa but this just puts me more towards the side of not liking him. All La Russa has ever said about Pujols is that he is the best player. Now he is placing him behind Freddy Sanchez. Yea it was "just the all star game" but to not play him meant somethin to me. To be honest, I think La Russa needs to retire, and maybe go get drunk and drive and pass out at a stoplight again......worthless

"holdon"....you make a good point that larussa may be trying to save him for the season. but its just one little game. and pujols wanted to play in the all star game. la russa shouldve at least told pujols this, instead of just leaving his own player on the bench the whole game, waiting to be put in. especially since pujols has been considered the best player in the game the past 2 to 4 years, and now just because his production is down larussa wants to say hes not more valuable than other all star back ups. just doesn't add up to me.

richard, this had nothing to do with that tie game. that game was a conern about pitchers. players can stay in forever. especially longer than pitchers. pujols deserved to be in the game, period. pujols deserves to be in before the 9th inning, and before the 7th inning He deserves to be in the all star game by at least the 5th inning. its albert pujols....seriously come on

also, someone please explain to me what larussa means by "it's America" when referring to why he didnt play pujols

im not one to assume anyone is racist, so someone please explain to me what you think he is trying to say there

bencas, good point about the "its america" quote. i totally agree, he was referring to pujols being able to comment on being upset. but i still lost a lot of respect for larussa.

Answer 1

Personally I would have played him at some time.

Answer 2

I can't understand why Pujols wasn't put into the game either. I know if he had played earlier in the game then he would have had to play outfield instead of his regular position once the Cards got back out to the field. But...the 9th inning and National team has bases loaded with a chance to win or at least tie the game? I think LaRussa was not very smart for not having Pujols bat to give the National team a fighting chance. LaRussa says 'that wasn't the most important thing tonight.' What was the most important thing? Losing the game?

Answer 3

I was confused over Pujols not playing as well, but I was more confused over having Hudson and Rowand hit with 2 outs and down by one and didn't really care about Freddy Sanchez earlier in the inning. Then I started thinking about it and checking some stats. These 2007 stats helped me figure it out:

This season with runners in scoring position, Rowand hit .349, Hudson .280 and Pujols .281.

With bases loaded, Rowand hit .571, Hudson .500, and Pujols .400

Late Innings, Rowand hit .444, Hudson .400 and Pujols .227

With 2 outs, Rowand hit .352, Hudson .311 and Pujols .265

Overall, Pujols has been pretty crappy in the clutch this year whereas Rowand and Hudson have been exceptional. Add in the fact that Pujols is in the longest homerless drought of his career, 22 games and 74 at-bats, and I think you can see why LaRussa didn't put him in.

On top of all the stats, Pujols was the last position player to hit and would have had to play out of position since Lee was already at 1st base. Granted he could have played 3rd instead of last years NL batting champion Freddy Sanchez, but do you really want him playing a position he hasn't played in a couple years? And what happens if a player gets injured? Without a player on the bench, they would have had to put a pitcher out in the field.

Answer 4

It's F N rediculous!!!!! First of all Prince should have been pulled after his first at bat because of that 1st inning error he made. Utley threw a low ball to him and his fat *** couldn't bend over to catch it. Lee should have played for a little while, but when you got the bases loaded in a 1 run game with 2 outs who do you want? Pujols or **** Rowand. YOur an idiot if you say that Pujols is not one of the best clutch hitters in baseball. And give him rest???? are you serious, the dude was cranking homeruns in the derby, so i don't think 1 damn at bat would get him real tired. I love the Cards , but stupid move by Tony.

Answer 5

I don't know what has happened to LaRussa but he's been making mistakes lately and this one was the worst yet! Give me a break Rowand over Pujols with the bases loaded, even Dusty Baker would of put Pujols in and we all know how dumb that moron is.

Maybe he wanted to hand his buddy Jim, a win on a silver platter.

Answer 6

When Pujols plays 2nd, 3rd and SS like Sanchez can, then he can talk about value.
This is an all-star team, Fielder, Lee played 1st.

I admit I found it odd, but yea, Sanchez has more value.

Not playing him could also show Pujols is far more valuable to La Russa, keep him healthy and ready to go for the Cardinals when play restarts, Pujols is going to go on a run because of this.

Answer 7

LaRussa should have put Albert in to bat in the 9th inning. He would have made enough contact with the ball to garner a base hit that would have at least tied the game.

Who knows, maybe LaRussa didn't want one of his best players to get hurt.

Answer 8

With the game on the line we all know that Pujols comes thru another of La russa"s blunders, he wants to light a fire under albert i think he sure has, see what happens when they come come after road trip!!

Answer 9

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.

Answer 10

Giving his player a rest? How tired would Pujols have gotten coming in to pinch hit in the ninth with the bases juiced. A hit would have scored two runs, won the game, and he wouldn't even have had to play in the field.

Answer 11

I thought it was a bit odd that he didn't put Pujols in too.

As for the comment about America, I didn't hear it. But judging by the comment you posted it sounds like he wasn't referring to America as the reason he didn't play Pujols. It sounds like he's saying "It's America." as the reason Pujols has the right to feel upset about not playing.