Should Pujols have been batting yesterday instead of Rowan?

Question

All-Star Game
Bases Loaded 2 outs, down by 1, Pujols should have been up there.

Answer 1

Yes. The NL was down by one run and needed to have someone with a better chance to end the game.

Answer 2

Obviously, Pujols is a much better hitter. If he did get a hit, and only tied the game, I don't think he could have done too good of a job playing center, even though he used to play left field early on in his career. Another excuse, though maybe not to verifiable, is that it was one of Rowand's few All-Star appearances, while Pujols will be an All-Star for years to come. It did not really matter if LaRussa won or lost anyways; the chances of the mediocre Cardinals making the playoffs are slim at best. To leave your own player out, arguably the best in baseball, is definetely not the smartest move, but really, has La Russa ever done the smartest thing (having the pitcher bat 8th). He does what he wants and tries to look like a mastermind, and in this case, he failed miserably.

Answer 3

If anything he should have went before Rowand. But yes he most likely would have been better. And caprinicerus_cub it was a 0-1 pitch Rowand hit on. The first pitch was a fastball down the middle. But whos saying Pujols wouldnt have done the same thing. Plus you cant put the blame on Rowand. Some of the pitching was bad. Were the 2 home runs to give the AL a bigger lead.

Answer 4

What was La Russa waiting for? Either bat Pujols for Orlando Hudson or Aaron Rowand. As a pinch hitter Pujols probably would have come out hacking. Frankie Rodriguez grooved a first pitch fastball that Pujols might have driven, but we'll never know.

Answer 5

im a cub fan, but i'd take pujols over rowand any day. pujols would have NEVER swung at a 1-0 pitch that was off the plate & high. la russa said he was 'saving pujols 4 ltr'. what later?! i mean c'mon! we could have won. a 2-run shot by soriano, then 3 strait patient at-bats that resulted in 3 stait BB's. & rowand comes up. it makes me pretty mad, but i guess its just a game, & a non-important game as far as standings go. its just that we've been beat 10 times in a row! as we cub fans so often say, maybe next year.

Answer 6

Actually he should have been sent up the batter before Rowand hit. There were 2 outs with runners on 1st and second. La rusa got lucky there was walk there or else people would be saying Pujols should have hit there.

Answer 7

YES. I asked this question earlier myself. Pujols is a proven hitter in the clutch and is easily one of the top 3 hitters in the game. And the fact that his own manager wouldn't put him in that situation either proves that Tony LaRussa is an idiot or the All Star game really doesn't matter.

Answer 8

Yes, pujols is their for his bat, and he is a better player, and a big game player. So, absolutelyhe should have been up at the plate in that situation instead of aaron rowand, who is known more for his defense.

Answer 9

With out a doubt, down by one Rowan at bat, Pujols on the bench?

Larussa should be FIRED!

But then what does he care about home field advantage in the World Series, he'll be watching it on TV this season.

Answer 10

I think he should have been up when Hudson was batting but with the bases loaded Pujols definetly should have won. I guess since La Russa wasnt going to get homefield advantage he didnt want anybody in the National League to get it.

Answer 11

No doubt they should've let Pujols hit.
But you really can blam La Russa, he said he was saving Pujols in case the game went on to extra innings.