St. Louis Cardinals’ Tony La Russa fined for comments to home-plate umpire – MLB News
The St. Louis Cardinals’ manager Tony La Russa was fined by Major League Baseball after his televised in-game comments. During Sunday nights Game 2 against the Philadelphia Phillies, La Russa was apparently angry at the home-plate umpire Jerry Meals.
The manager on Tuesday, October 4 expressed his regret over the comment whereby he had referred to Jerry Meals as having “two different strike zones” for the respective pitchers of both the teams, Cliff Lee and Chris Carpenter.
Engaged in a tough game of the National League playoff series, the Cardinals eventually got the better of the Phillies and won the game 3-2. Nonetheless, the pitching spell of the Cardinals’ Chris Carpenter and the Phillies’ Cliff Lee was the biggest part
of the competition.
Once asked for the explanation when the MLB called the Cardinals’ team manager, La Russa said he had no disagreement. Part of the reason why he became angry might be the nature of the game and the uncertainty it involved.
Carpenter soon had to leave with his 12.00 ERA and five hits that he gave up, with no less than four runs and having only two strike-outs. It was therefore unsurprising to see why he felt displeased. Nonetheless, he emphasised he has absolutely no disagreements
with MLB over it.
"I have no disagreement at all," La Russa said. "As soon as MLB called, my response was, 'Whatever is imposed, you'll get no argument.' I'm embarrassed that I crossed the line. I know what the line is.”
Since the Cardinals eventually won the game, La Russa’s anger subsided well enough to say that he would apologise to the home-plate umpire if he got an opportunity. “If I get a chance, I will apologize to Jerry. Like I said, I've never had any problems with
him. He's a pro. He has my utmost respect. We were competing, and I got upset and crossed the line."
The Phillies now have a 2-1 lead in the five-game National League Division Series as the Cardinals are looking to fight back and even it up.
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