Fans are taking sides in support of the St. Louis Cardinals manager or his centerfielder, but what about the team?
Sunday, September 5 was a sad day for the St. Louis Cardinals as long-standing internal matters became external, tarnishing the image of one of baseball’s proudest franchises.
We read about claims and counterclaims by player Colby Rasmus and his manager Tony La Russa. With fans already upset over the unraveling of the once-promising 2010 season, this latest news that Rasmus has allegedly made multiple requests to be traded has caused increasing polarization.
Team Tony vs. Team Colby.
One group would like to see the outfielder dealt away while the other doesn’t want the manager to return. They have their reasons and arguments, sharpened over time, and likely feel so strongly about them that their opinions aren’t going to change.
Superstar Albert Pujols weighed in, stating that if Rasmus doesn’t want to play for the Cardinals, then he hopes the second-year player can be accommodated. Further, the first baseman wished out loud that the matter had never reached the media.
Putting aside whether or not one thinks those comments are appropriate, the basic message is hard to argue with.
It should apply to the manager, too.
These individuals, Rasmus and La Russa, have become a major distraction, drawing focus to themselves and away from the greater good of the team. All over baseball, the Cardinals are being discussed – in non-complimentary tones.
Something has to change, and change in a substantive manner, not just window-dressing. They either need to pull together or be pulled together. On the other hand, if differences are truly irreconcilable, then the franchise needs to part ways with one or all – before it is pulled apart.
The team is the constant, not the individuals. Players come and go and so do managers, even future Hall of Famers.
The Cardinals have survived before and they will again.
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Back in 1996, Ozzie had a hard time stepping back to a senior statesman role. Mr. Smith is a proud person and this is understandable, even if regrettable.
TLR expects a lot of veterans and eventually grated on Rolen, who had been in MLB for circa 11 years. Understandable, though again regrettable.
Its more surprising a bonus baby would ask out. I am not sure how often this happens around MLB. Maybe it happens in other cases, but is more successfully kept inside the Clubhouse. Its hard to see how it does good for a player or MLB for such stories to leak.
We went through the McGwire stuff last winter. That was a vastly bigger news story yet it dried up and blew away. This too shall pass. A couple of weeks ago, Albert was honored at the Glenn Beckathon in DC. TLR introduced him. These are the faces the Cards like to display to the public. The hardworking star player who gives to charity and his admiring manager.
It sounds like this story of the trade request is confirmed by TLR. While honesty can be a good thing, in many situations, it is also good to keep this topic inside the Clubhouse. TLR should not be confirming such stories.
Also threatening to send Rasmus to Memphis for being late to the ballpark sounds disproportionate and non-constructive. Its also an empty threat, since Mo was unlikely to agree.
Blustering threats are not a way for TLR to earn respect.
Who is the lame brain that started this anyway? Jeebus.
Lineup: Schumaker-4, Jay-9, Pujols-3, Holliday-7, Rasmus-8, Feliz-5, Molina-2, Ryan-6, Westbrook-1
Pitching matchup is against us this game and next. I hope Jake has another great outing.
Maybe TLR is setting the stage for his exit come October?
Classic defense attorney move. Give the jury another villain.
Muddles do not have to owe to villainous intent.
No they don’t. Sometimes they do.
Yes, sometimes they do. I am keeping my eyes and mind open.
Glad we have Studbrooke on the hill today.
I laughed when Pedro Feliz got some early hits. Alas, Pedro has gone cold. I doubt he hooks on with another team next spring. If he wants to do so, he needs to get it in gear, now.
Yadi is the Man.
Let’s get those 2 runs back.
Remember Colorado.
I hate these nail biters.
Whew.
We beat a sub .500 team and the Red lost. I think my head is going to explode.
Jake’s head is probably ready to explode too. Toughest place to get a win he’s ever pitched.
Tomorrow I hope Tony doesn’t press his luck with Lohse. The first inning is likely to be rough.
Fine year by Yadier. He is a hard working guy.
Four games the Cards have a pitching edge. Tomorrow is the fifth game. Lets hope Lohse can build for next year.
There is a very “Adult” story developing here……… A few PG rated clips to consider.
Tony/AP have just stated in a very backdoor fashion…………that they are both on the same page for 2011………………….concerned about a player as teammate and coachable ball player……………..
This is a tactic, premature it would seem, but necessitated by the “slide”……. to counter an eroding negotiating position for AP which of course is linked to Tony.
T-Rex all of a sudden is BD……….. the seed planted in February with the GB introduction, was played with predictable success in my view. AP tunneled in 09 after his emotional All Star decelerations concerning God doing his managing………. Lozano is the dupe here…he allowed it…….. Albert’s response to the rally was predictable, his reaction and performance a reasonable gamble against the risk of a popularity boost effecting his negotiating posture for BD………………….
Tony’s comment that the Cardinals had made several waver claims on hitters that didn’t pan out.??????????………. does that suggest that he he “knows” some of the negotiating details? Or is he just cozying up…………..offering Mo a little cover…………..it was an odd statement for the current climate.
For those that haven’t figured this out………….the implication that a mega contract to AP, would mean an even weaker and less dynamic team than the present one, has now been established by BD, .with his careful grooming of this looser………………..I would guess that Colby knows that all resources that remain will be starved and beaten by the PR apparatus to control there value in arbitration scenarios……………… they are working on him a bit right now it would seem. Tony’s pushing ahead this story and AP chiming in is cloyingly obvious……………….
Anyone watching this “show”………must recognize that there is a “hidden” variable here. One that both adversaries are aware of………………. I can speculate on its makeup, but I do not know it.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/jeff-gordon/article_f52c26b8-ba95-11df-adca-0017a4a78c22.html
“So the Cards organization will remain on its current course until somebody convinces DeWitt it is wrong. Good luck trying that. Strong player development is a more reliable and cost-efficient route to perennial contention. Strong player development could allow the Cards to move forward with Albert Pujols making huge dollars – or that program could help the franchise overcome his departure, if No. 5 opts to chase top dollar.”
The Cards are on the right track. If the organization can keep the childish bickering to a minimum, the plan will play out nicely over the long haul.”
The struggle to control the dialog continues………..BD fights back………bends over and puts his ball back on the tee.
Westy you ought to be a mystery writer.Everything in your world must have to have 57 subplots and a conspiracy around every corner.Watch out for the gunman in the greaasy knoll and stay away from Hangar 51 and the Bermuda Triangle.
A sick man is the megalomaniac who relentlessly bids others to live in his world of espionage and intrigue. Get help WestCoast!