We all know that Albert is a bit arrogant.  That's fine - if we had his talents, we'd be arrogant too.  But to really snub one of the top 5 hitters in the all-star game (maybe the best)when the guy is from your own team - that's too much.  Jeez, have some love for your own.

And take Dunc with you.  He's not a genius, he's a pitching coach.

Guess not.

We already know that Rolen doesn't like Tony.  You have to wonder whether Edmonds does after being put on the DL without consultation.

Tony's burning his bridges.  Wonder why?

Rowand's line isn't much different than Pujols' this year when you consider that a base hit wins it and reaching base ties it.  Pujols doesn't give the NL a better chance of winning but increases the NL's chance of a tie by 2.6%.

If the game does go to the 10th, that mean Pujols would need to be played out of position in left.  (I assume Sorinao would move to center.)  Also the next time the pitcher's spot comes around, the NL would be left without a pinch hitter.

Lastly as I said before the 2007 Pujols hasn't been the same as the 2001-2006 Pujols.  Look at his line with RISP and 2 out; compare it to Rowand's:

          avg  obp  slg
Rowand   .395 .500 .605
Pujols   .313 .593 .563


Again to use an analogy pinch hitting Pujols for Rowand is the statistical equivilent of pinch hitting So Taguchi for Aaron Miles.  It gets us little if anything but we'd pay for it defensively.

         avg  hr  rbi  obp   slg
Miles   .290  0   14  .328  .332
Taguchi .293  2   15  .348  .377


Think about this. We won the WS last year w/o home field advantage. Losing the ASG and WS home field isn't an end all to the season. Risking to further injur or cause injury to Pujols would be for the Cardinals. In my opinion, and I sure hope I'm right, TLR was simply doing what he has always done and that is protecting his guys at all costs. And it sure looks like the cost could be pretty high for this one.

What I don't understand, and where I can't forgive TLR is his post game quotes. That is what has me pretty irked at this point. I can get over Pujols not playing and getting some extra rest, but what in the world is TLR thinking with those quotes!!?? I just can't understand why he'd take that stance instead of just taking a minute to truely explain himself and his reasoning.

But I guess that's TLR. He's a genius, we aren't and he doesn't need to explain himself....oof.

Of course, with the reports of dissent and apathy on this team, I'm not sure that will be the response. It'll likely be more along the lines of grouchiness and silent treatments as Pujols finishes the year with 22 home runs. Lots of bat-slamming during walks and staring at fly balls to the warning track. Fun fun.

But he obviously did not. Then in postgame comments he throws Albert under the bus with his "this is America" comment.

I think this is the last straw and the momentum against TLR, from the players, is advancing at an ever rapid pace.

TLR has lost this team's respect and I cannot imagine anyone running through a wall for him.

As one friend told me this morning, TLR needs to take a hike and spend time with his older children whom he hasn't spoken to in decades.

My only other thought here is that perhaps LaRussa feared getting blasted for favoring his own guy at a key moment if Pujols doesn't come through. But so what? Pujols isn't some one-year-wonder scrub who lucked onto the All-Star team, he's one of the two or three greatest players (and greatest clutch players) in the game today. No one would've faulted LaRussa for homerism if he sends Albert up there in that spot.

 This is much to do about nothing. Pujols is a man he will get over it.

"Yes, Tony, we understand, the game could have gone into extra innings, and it's possible the National League would have run out of players. But Christ, man, you've got Albert Pujols with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth of a one run game! What do you want, anyway?"

Check it out...funny stuff.

http://deadspin.com/sports/all-star-game/in-case-you-forgot-who-was-managing-the-nl--277129.php

I'd want to see Albert up - create some drama, make it exciting.  Nothing against Rowand, but to the average joe - Albert is more exciting than he is.

June 2007
Pujols  326/458/620
Rowand  297/388/446

July 2007
Pujols  345/429/345
Rowand  263/288/421

Pujols year is badly tainted by an abysmal April.  Since he has been his usual self (although he hasn't homered in nearly a month).  Rowand got off to a hot start, but has cooled significantly.  The important numbers here are average (likelihood of driving in multiple runs with a base hit) and OBP (likelihood of driving in one run by reaching).  It's not even close!!!

Shall we look at career numbers, or would you prefer to base your opinion on April 2007?  

Whilst we look at this, let's not forget that Rollins, Utley, Burrell, Victorino, and Howard are in that lineup with Rowand daily...all of whom are better right now than anyone not named Pujols or maybe Duncan in the Cards starting 8.

Is La Russa taking the fall in the media for his star player's decision to skip out early? Or was he taking hacks behind the scenes?

i see both sides of the argument. yes pujols is the best hitter in the game and probaly should have gotten a chance to bat with the bases loaded. a hit wins it and if you don't get a hit the games going to be over (pujols doesn't walk).

on the other side, albert simply hasn't been albert this year. he hits with 2 outs and RISP are on the decline this year and he just hasn't been as godly. aaron rowand on the other hand is having a break out year and is hitting as decent as many of the stars (including pujols).

aaron rowand last night had about as much of a chance to get a hit as albert pujols did, espcially after TLR said he wasn't going to play.

edge: zubin and aaron rowand even though you know i would have loved to see pujols.