Rolen and Eckstein Speak...

by thewizard3 on Feb 25, 2008 2:23 PM EST

I just read the Matthew Leach article on the official website that includes quotes from Rolen and Eckstein concerning their exits from STL. Eckstein was not surprised he was let go, but how he was let go? I understand what he is saying, yet I don't.

As far as Rolen goes, I like what he says but the comment that he and LaRussa have different morals is very interesing. Is he talking about animal rights? Drinking and driving? Maybe he is a NRA member or something. Or is it more related to baseball?

I'm curious to hear everyone's thoughts. Sorry if this has already been brought up.

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Being from near Terre Haute

which is about 90 miles from Jasper it could be multiple items. I played high school ball at the same time he did and was 2 years behind him. There is a big German history there with a big Strassenfest in August. Trust me I've been there and slept in the truck instead of trying to get back to my Uncle's which was about 45 miles. I'm sure Scotty doesn't condone drinking and driving or endorse it. He may find Tony being a vegetarian a little hard to swallow. I'm sure that it's much like it is here down there from what I've seen, a lot of country boys in pick ups with shotguns in the back window and they don't use them to shoot each other just put meat on the table. That being the case and with Tony's views on all that it's very possible it wasn't all baseball related.

by DJ4508 on Feb 25, 2008 3:07 PM EST reply actions

if Scott

thinks his "morals" are better or different because he's a redneck makes him look really, really, silly.

SUBURBS: Where Americans cut down trees and then name streets after them.

by beanocook on Feb 25, 2008 3:42 PM EST up reply actions

That's not what I said

it was the environment he grew up in. It is the environment i have grown up in. It's not about morals. It's about what you have come to believe in based on the influences you have growing up,
not a difference of right and wrong as it would be. Tony doesn't eat meet and is an animal rights activist. That's good for Tony, but I eat meat and hunt. That's fine for me. If some one told me I was wrong or a redneck as you put it that's detrimental to the relationship I have with the individual. Who knows for sure if Tony
asserts the views he has around the team. If he does I would assume some one would eventually call him out on it and not buy in to his..... Never mind don't want to get into that but you see where I'm going with this. Maybe he wanted Scott to do some animal stunt or something with him and he refused because he didn't feel as strongly about the same issues as Tony. I get along with a lot of people who don't have the same beliefs as I do but the ones who constantly needle you I can't stand. I'm sure Scott doesn't think he's better because of his views but who's to say Tony doesn't believe that he is.

by DJ4508 on Feb 25, 2008 10:23 PM EST up reply actions

I feel sad

about Eck. He seems really disappointed. Awww. =(

Rasmus or bust.

by Zoop on Feb 25, 2008 5:12 PM EST reply actions

He was.

I think I'm going to use money I would have spent on Cards tickets to go see a Jays-Royals game or two in KC just so I can see him play and get him to sign my picture frame already.

by Elle on Feb 25, 2008 6:36 PM EST up reply actions

make sure

you wear your cardinals gear there, they HATE it...it's great. I went to a Royals/Yankees game wearing my pujols jersey over my A-Rod shirt and my girlfriend had the Royal Blue Cardinals jersey...I think we were by far the most hated people there. Apparently there's a one sided Royals/Cards rivalry...who knew?

"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"

by rocKStark5 on Feb 26, 2008 12:49 AM EST up reply actions

Depends...

That's never been my experience at "the K". I've had some pretty good random baseball conversations with some nice people in Kansas City. I think that the "rivalry" has been so one sided for so long that if you approach them from the standpoint of being baseball fans, it's pretty easy to get along, whatever jersey you're wearing.

Now, that time I wore my Chiefs polo to Coors Field...that's a whole other story.

by Martini Agonistes on Feb 26, 2008 9:51 AM EST up reply actions

oh I'll wear it with red ribbons in my hair

I've noticed from Royals Review that there is a one-sided rivalry, kind of like they're the little kid trying to attack the big guy who's just holding his arm out and firmly pressing against the little kid's forehead. Most of us don't really think a rivalry with the Royals is worth it and maybe it's just a little cheap. Besides, we would really rather save all the vitriol for the Cubs.

by Elle on Feb 26, 2008 10:35 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah

hanging around a bunch of KC fans before the inception of interleague play was obnoxious. I heard the line "they only played each other once..." far too many times.

by Valatan on Feb 26, 2008 11:28 AM EST up reply actions

FWIW

8.5 Angles to the I-70 Series

yes, Royals fans are committed to the rivalry. a great many of us also consider the yankees rivals as well

generic but true

www.royalsreview.com

by Freneau on Feb 26, 2008 1:51 PM EST up reply actions

Mr. Rolen didn't elaborate on what he meant by

"baseball morals" but the first thing that came to my mind when I read that phrase was the World Series, Kenny Rogers, and the substance on his pitching hand. Mr. LaRussa didn't stick up for his players IMO that day. It was reported that some of the players were upset about it too.

She isn't crazy, she's just not impressed.

by jillsinmo on Feb 25, 2008 10:53 PM EST reply actions

PED's?

LaRussa has shown absolute tolerance for players involved with PED's. In fact he embraces them (Bonds, Juan Gone, Big Mac, Clemens)

"Ding-dong the wicked witch is dead!" - Wayne Hagin after the cardinals snapped a losing streak

by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Feb 25, 2008 11:03 PM EST reply actions

Bingo....# 1 across...

Yessir, give Tony a double order of Jaun Bonds with a little Clemens on the side. Block positions with Mitchell re-loaders vs. young potential re-builders.

#2 down: Drinking and driving.

#3 diagonally: Airing out his complaints and benchings with the press before talking to his own players.

If we can't be good, can we at least be lucky?

by cardschinmusic on Feb 26, 2008 4:15 AM EST up reply actions

Tough to say...

But I would have to say that Rolen and LaRussa are very, very different people. Tony is an iron fisted, organisational freak, while Rolen is an Ayn Rand worshipping, anti establishment iconoclast. The animal right things and stuff like that are all part of the issue too. These are two extremely strong willed, stubborn men who probably don't have a whole lot of common ground.

I think 'beliefs' would have been a better choice of words on Rolen's part; unfortunately, when you say someone has different morals from you, it ends up sounding like a qualitative comparison. Having different beliefs doesn't carry the same negative connotations.

I don't think Rolen was trying to portray himself as morally superior to Tony, necessarily, but it's clear that there are a lot of things LaRussa does, and believes, that Rolen is not at all on board with.

"An informed citizenry is the enemy of the despot, the zealot, and the sports columnist."