St. Louis Cardinals’ Tony La Russa defends Albert Pujols – MLB Update
Before Tony La Russa answered any questions after the Workout Day at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri on Tuesday, October 25, the St. Louis Cardinals’ manager focused his attention on talking about All-Star slugger Albert Pujols and his contrasting performances
in Game 3 and 4 respectively.
There were questions surrounding the responsibility and authority of Pujols and the role he has in this ballclub. Playing down all talks, La Russa stressed that Albert has proved his worth day-in-day-out for the franchise and that he is not just a great
player, but plays smartly as well.
La Russa added that Pujols has produced brilliant plays in the postseason and that they have proved to alter the outcome of games as well. The manager continued that if you have a player, who has a thorough understanding of the game, he usually gets a lot
of leeway and thus goes a step ahead in being involved in the game and making decisions.
“Albert has the ability on this club for several years to put a hit and run on. Some of you guys have been around a while, Alvin Dark, d**k Groat from the old days, Edgar Renteria on this club,” La Russa said. “Whenever I've been a manager and a player has
a real good feel and can handle the bat and he wanted to be able to put a play on, he's been given that right.”
Commenting on how this materialises in the set-up, La Russa asserted that Pujols conveys his idea to him and if it is practical, a thumbs up is given for the execution of the idea. The manager continued that it is really important to be fair at the same
time and that the ability should not be misused.
Explaining the miss at 0-1 against Alexi Ogando, La Russa pointed out that the pitcher tossed the ball out of the strike zone and thus the intention of hit and run could not come into play. However, he was quick to add that Pujols is one of the best hit
and run batter in the Majors and this has nothing to do with his special privileges of calling plays.
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