Comments on: Don’t Boo Izringhauzen, Boo the Guy That Kept Putting Him In There http://grubbhub.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/dont-boo-izringhauzen-boo-the-guy-that-puts-him-in-there/ It Reads the Posts From Start to End or Else It Gets the Hose Again. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:54:39 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Grubb http://grubbhub.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/dont-boo-izringhauzen-boo-the-guy-that-puts-him-in-there/#comment-109 Grubb Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:53:03 +0000 http://grubbhub.wordpress.com/?p=31#comment-109 I would like to give La Russa a good deal of credit for what the Cards have done this year, I really would (not). But when I think about what guys like MVP candidate Ryan Ludwick have done, I'm reminded of how La Russa was all too happy to bring Juan Gonzalez into spring training, and fiercely campaigned for management signing Barry Bonds. Seeing as how La Russa played Ludwick about 4 times a week and after two months, when he was leading the team in HRs and RBI in spite of this, La Russa finally decided he ought to play him every day. I can't help but think that guys like Ludwick, Schumaker, Mather, maybe even Rick Ankiel, would have sat the bench so geezers like Gonzalez and Bonds could plug up our outfield - if La Russa had had his way. That is assuming they would have stayed healthy, of course, which they would not have. But why do EVERY and ALL options have to be exhausted and then some before La Russa will turn to a younger, albeit talented, player. Ludwick showed signs of being a good hitter with his performance last year. So did Ankiel. You would think this would carry more weight with our manager than a guy that hasn't played in three years (Gonzalez) and a team cancer no longer capable of playing the outfield (Bonds). So the way I see it, La Russa tried to play a guy that was MVP 10 years ago (Gonzalez), but instead lucked into a guy (through no doing of his own) that will make a very darn good case for MVP this year in Ludwick. Just remember, <a href="http://grubbhub.wordpress.com/2008/03/07/rasmus-hits-second-hr-bobby-bonilla-on-the-mend/" rel="nofollow">Bobby Bonilla had to get hurt in order for Albert Pujols to get a chance</a> to become Rookie of the Year and All-Time Cardinal great in 2001, despite a monster spring. How many more years would Pujols have languished in the minors if not for that fortunate injury? La Russa may be a great manager based on his record, but he's one of the worst judges of young talent in the history of the game...mainly because he refuses to do so until forced. I would like to give La Russa a good deal of credit for what the Cards have done this year, I really would (not). But when I think about what guys like MVP candidate Ryan Ludwick have done, I’m reminded of how La Russa was all too happy to bring Juan Gonzalez into spring training, and fiercely campaigned for management signing Barry Bonds.

Seeing as how La Russa played Ludwick about 4 times a week and after two months, when he was leading the team in HRs and RBI in spite of this, La Russa finally decided he ought to play him every day. I can’t help but think that guys like Ludwick, Schumaker, Mather, maybe even Rick Ankiel, would have sat the bench so geezers like Gonzalez and Bonds could plug up our outfield – if La Russa had had his way.

That is assuming they would have stayed healthy, of course, which they would not have. But why do EVERY and ALL options have to be exhausted and then some before La Russa will turn to a younger, albeit talented, player.

Ludwick showed signs of being a good hitter with his performance last year. So did Ankiel. You would think this would carry more weight with our manager than a guy that hasn’t played in three years (Gonzalez) and a team cancer no longer capable of playing the outfield (Bonds).

So the way I see it, La Russa tried to play a guy that was MVP 10 years ago (Gonzalez), but instead lucked into a guy (through no doing of his own) that will make a very darn good case for MVP this year in Ludwick.

Just remember, Bobby Bonilla had to get hurt in order for Albert Pujols to get a chance to become Rookie of the Year and All-Time Cardinal great in 2001, despite a monster spring. How many more years would Pujols have languished in the minors if not for that fortunate injury? La Russa may be a great manager based on his record, but he’s one of the worst judges of young talent in the history of the game…mainly because he refuses to do so until forced.

]]> By: The artist formerly known as "The Rube" http://grubbhub.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/dont-boo-izringhauzen-boo-the-guy-that-puts-him-in-there/#comment-108 The artist formerly known as "The Rube" Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:04:12 +0000 http://grubbhub.wordpress.com/?p=31#comment-108 Can I get an AMEN brotha'........If Tony "get me a beer" Larussa isn't careful he could manage his way out of a top three in manager of the year yet again. To do what the Cards have done this year with what they if is incredible. That said the bullpen (to my estimation the hardest part of a managers job) has been pathetic from the begining. Not just the fact that they lead the Universe in blown saves, but as long as Duck and Conver Isringhausen keeps plodding back out to the bump the Cards will continue to miss opportunity after opportunity to gain ground on the Evil Brewer's in the Wild Card. I know that Izzy's mentality is that of a closer still....at least thats what he says, but to be honest from time to time I have the mentality of a 10 century Roman Gladiator, but you don't see me wondering about with a net and sword dueling with passers by! Larussa needs to keep in mind that sometimes your the Lion and other times your the crippled Gladiator with nothing but a handful of sand to defend yourself with, which is what Izzy has become unfortuenatly. My softball team could use a closer.....I wonder if Izzy could come to the 'Paign for that!!?!?! Can I get an AMEN brotha’……..If Tony “get me a beer” Larussa isn’t careful he could manage his way out of a top three in manager of the year yet again. To do what the Cards have done this year with what they if is incredible. That said the bullpen (to my estimation the hardest part of a managers job) has been pathetic from the begining. Not just the fact that they lead the Universe in blown saves, but as long as Duck and Conver Isringhausen keeps plodding back out to the bump the Cards will continue to miss opportunity after opportunity to gain ground on the Evil Brewer’s in the Wild Card. I know that Izzy’s mentality is that of a closer still….at least thats what he says, but to be honest from time to time I have the mentality of a 10 century Roman Gladiator, but you don’t see me wondering about with a net and sword dueling with passers by! Larussa needs to keep in mind that sometimes your the Lion and other times your the crippled Gladiator with nothing but a handful of sand to defend yourself with, which is what Izzy has become unfortuenatly. My softball team could use a closer…..I wonder if Izzy could come to the ‘Paign for that!!?!?!

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