Okay, I'm calling BS on La Russa's explanation for using Lynn against Napoli. He's covering for someone or someone else. I don't believe for one second, he called two different times for Motte and neither time it was heard. Listen...I know I'm nobody, but if I was a Cardinals media member or fan...I would be coming unglued! Don't forget, this is the same manager that said he didn't see or know about steroid usage in his locker rooms...did he forget McGwire and Canseco were on his teams? He's known as a button pusher and micro-manager, and this shouldn't be allowed to go away. This isn't getaway day in Pittsburgh, game number 101...this is Game 5 of the F$%^ing World Series.
This was his response...
"Hey, it's my fault," he said. "Maybe I slurred it, whatever it is. It comes down to who has the responsibility when there's those kinds of miscommunications."
Love the fact, he's finally taken responsibility, but if this was the Cubs, the phone would be ripped out of the dugout and replaced with live video screens with facial recognition. Can you imagine this being another franchise, that hadn't won a Championship in the last 10 years? What about it being the Nationals or Mariners who've never even been to a World Series...it would be the only thing talked about in those cities if they didn't win the series.
Why is La Russa not getting completely grilled right now? I know he's getting asked questions, but what warrants him getting the benefit of the doubt? He just spent the entire NLCS getting kudos for the way he used his bullpen. Now he makes moves, says it isn't what he wanted and we all blame the phone. No...not going to happen with this over-the-top baseball junkie. I think he's covering for his own behind...he also said Lynn wasn't going to be used, even though he hadn't pitched the night before. Yet, his bullpen coach still got Lynn up and he came in...when he wasn't going to pitch that night. Miscommunication??? Motte...Lynn, yep almost identical. This explanation just doesn't hold up.
La Russa has been a very successful manager, but that shouldn't lead to a free pass in the biggest series of the 2011 season. If you want all the glory for being a micro-manager when you succeed, then you deserve harsh criticism when you fail on the biggest stage.
© 2012
