The NL blew another All-star game last night. They haven't won since 1996. Although I must admit the game was pretty exciting especially in the bottom of the ninth when Soriano hit a two run homer and the NL managed to load the bases off of K-Rod (all with two outs). Alas it was not to be as Aaron Rowand flew out to right field. (It perplexes me why Mr. Genius Tony Larussa never brought in Pujols to pinch hit).
Of note Ichiro was named MVP as he hit the first inside-the-park homerun in All-Star game history.
Now the AL has home field advantage which probably isn't that big of a deal but still when you root for NL teams (the Padres and Cubs) that might have a shot at the postseason than it does slightly frustrate you that the NL can't do anything in the All-Star game. Oh well it was a really good game.
2 comments:
Forget Neifi Perez, I think LaRussa was doped up last night. Unless he knows something about Pujols that we don't there's absolutely no excuse for not bringing him in for Aaron freaking Rowand once the bases were loaded (I sort of understood him leaving Orlando Hudson in there since at that point the NL just needed baserunners as they were still down 3 runs I think). And I don't buy LaRussa's excuse that he was saving him for extra innings--it's the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs and the bases loaded and you're down 1 run... any hit wins the game, any out and it's over... I'm not a rocket scientist like everybody makes LaRussa out to be, but that seems like a pretty easy one.
Apparently Pujols is perplexed too (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/specials/all_star/2007/07/11/bc.bbo.all.stars.pujols.ap/index.html). That's funny--as if the Cards weren't imploding enough already.
Oh well. As an NL fan, I'm disappointed--especially since I was rooting for Griffey to win MVP with his 2 early RBIs and that rocket putout of A-Rod at home--but as a fan of baseball it was an exciting, enjoyable game to watch.
When Hudson batted the score was 4-5...but I understand not sending Pujols up there because at that point K-Rod could have just worked around him (even though first base wasn't open...but there were only runners at first and second)...Assuming Pujols walks than Rowand bats with the bases loaded.
The bottom line and I completely agree with you Dirty is that Pujols should have batted with the bases loaded. That is the ideal situation. At the very least he could have worked a walk to tie the game. LaRussa dropped the ball and his reasons for not using Pujols in that situation is indefensible. Do you think for one minute if the Cardinals were in playoff contention this year that LaRussa would have chosen Rowand over Pujols. Yeah right...he didn't manage the game to the best of his ability or maybe he did because I do think that he is overrated as a manager.
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