2007 All-Star Game Thread, 7:00 CT FOX

[J.R.]

A good game marred by Tony's silliness at the end. Albert has to get a chance in that situation.

[Laura]

Unless you don't want to win.

[dew1679666265]

The game counts, but it's still the All-Star game. He didn't want to play multiple guys out of position and have no one off the bench if someone were to get hurt. It's not like he let the pitcher hit for himself.

 

Chances are better that Pujols wins the game, not just send it to extras. With the bases loaded and Derrek Lee standing at second, chances are a basehit scores two and, thus, wins it.

 

I still don't think you can risk it. And again, Rowand isn't a pitcher up there, it's not like letting him hit is throwing the game.

 

I understand Rowand is a good hitter, but Pujols is in a completely different ballpark. With home-field advantage on the line, I think you have to take the chance, especially when the odds are so much on your side.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Rowand's career numbers: 283/341/450

Pujols' career numbers: 330/418/619

 

 

I think you have to go with Pujols there.

[dew1679666265]

Unless you don't want to win.

 

This idea continues to intrigue me. I don't think he threw the game, but my opinion has always been that LaRussa is a better manager than to let Pujols sit on the bench.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

The game counts, but it's still the All-Star game. He didn't want to play multiple guys out of position and have no one off the bench if someone were to get hurt. It's not like he let the pitcher hit for himself.

 

Chances are better that Pujols wins the game, not just send it to extras. With the bases loaded and Derrek Lee standing at second, chances are a basehit scores two and, thus, wins it.

 

I still don't think you can risk it. And again, Rowand isn't a pitcher up there, it's not like letting him hit is throwing the game.

 

I understand Rowand is a good hitter, but Pujols is in a completely different ballpark. With home-field advantage on the line, I think you have to take the chance, especially when the odds are so much on your side.

 

We're going to have to agree to disagree. No matter the hitter, you can't use the last position player you have in that situation, especially considering the defensive positioning issues it would've caused the very next inning, never mind concerns from playing with an empty bench.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

The game counts, but it's still the All-Star game. He didn't want to play multiple guys out of position and have no one off the bench if someone were to get hurt. It's not like he let the pitcher hit for himself.

 

Chances are better that Pujols wins the game, not just send it to extras. With the bases loaded and Derrek Lee standing at second, chances are a basehit scores two and, thus, wins it.

 

I still don't think you can risk it. And again, Rowand isn't a pitcher up there, it's not like letting him hit is throwing the game.

 

I understand Rowand is a good hitter, but Pujols is in a completely different ballpark. With home-field advantage on the line, I think you have to take the chance, especially when the odds are so much on your side.

 

We're going to have to agree to disagree. No matter the hitter, you can't use the last position player you have in that situation, especially considering the defensive positioning issues it would've caused the very next inning, never mind concerns from playing with an empty bench.

 

Wouldn't the move just have been to have Rowand come out, Soriano move to CF and Pujols to LF which he has played before.

[dew1679666265]

The game counts, but it's still the All-Star game. He didn't want to play multiple guys out of position and have no one off the bench if someone were to get hurt. It's not like he let the pitcher hit for himself.

 

Chances are better that Pujols wins the game, not just send it to extras. With the bases loaded and Derrek Lee standing at second, chances are a basehit scores two and, thus, wins it.

 

I still don't think you can risk it. And again, Rowand isn't a pitcher up there, it's not like letting him hit is throwing the game.

 

I understand Rowand is a good hitter, but Pujols is in a completely different ballpark. With home-field advantage on the line, I think you have to take the chance, especially when the odds are so much on your side.

 

We're going to have to agree to disagree. No matter the hitter, you can't use the last position player you have in that situation, especially considering the defensive positioning issues it would've caused the very next inning, never mind concerns from playing with an empty bench.

 

Yeah, it doesn't appear either of us is going to convince the other. On one last note, though, LaRussa said before the game he had no problem playing Pujols anywhere. So his going to left wouldn't be an issue and I don't think it would have hurt Sori to play a couple innings at second.

[IWU_CUBS_FAN]

It was the bottom of the ninth with two outs.

 

You play to win, not to tie.

 

They're not his players though, he has to feel some obligation to not put them in a situation that's out of their element, could hurt them if they are playing out of position, etc.

 

I think we probably agree on the fact that HF advantage resting on this is a farce.

 

Still ... I'm not asking for a hard slide at the plate. Lope on in. But when a hit wins the game, you send up your so-called best hitter.

 

That's not a managerial move, that's a political statement.

The thing that bugs me is that they interviewed TLR during the game about holding pujols out until the right time when he needed him and he said he can play a lot of positions...including second, left, and shortstop...boo TLR boo

[dew1679666265]

The game counts, but it's still the All-Star game. He didn't want to play multiple guys out of position and have no one off the bench if someone were to get hurt. It's not like he let the pitcher hit for himself.

 

Chances are better that Pujols wins the game, not just send it to extras. With the bases loaded and Derrek Lee standing at second, chances are a basehit scores two and, thus, wins it.

 

I still don't think you can risk it. And again, Rowand isn't a pitcher up there, it's not like letting him hit is throwing the game.

 

I understand Rowand is a good hitter, but Pujols is in a completely different ballpark. With home-field advantage on the line, I think you have to take the chance, especially when the odds are so much on your side.

 

We're going to have to agree to disagree. No matter the hitter, you can't use the last position player you have in that situation, especially considering the defensive positioning issues it would've caused the very next inning, never mind concerns from playing with an empty bench.

 

Wouldn't the move just have been to have Rowand come out, Soriano move to CF and Pujols to LF which he has played before.

 

Had Pujols pinch hit for Hudson, Sori would have gone to second and Pujols in left. Pujols for Rowand would likely give your scenario.

 

By the way, who was in right for the NL?

[Laura]

If the game is tied after 9 and larussa is really that scared of players out of position, he throws up his arms and the team doesn't take the field. It's a forfeit or a repeat of the tie game.

 

But the home team does not play for the tie, they plan for the win.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

The game counts, but it's still the All-Star game. He didn't want to play multiple guys out of position and have no one off the bench if someone were to get hurt. It's not like he let the pitcher hit for himself.

 

Chances are better that Pujols wins the game, not just send it to extras. With the bases loaded and Derrek Lee standing at second, chances are a basehit scores two and, thus, wins it.

 

I still don't think you can risk it. And again, Rowand isn't a pitcher up there, it's not like letting him hit is throwing the game.

 

I understand Rowand is a good hitter, but Pujols is in a completely different ballpark. With home-field advantage on the line, I think you have to take the chance, especially when the odds are so much on your side.

 

We're going to have to agree to disagree. No matter the hitter, you can't use the last position player you have in that situation, especially considering the defensive positioning issues it would've caused the very next inning, never mind concerns from playing with an empty bench.

 

Wouldn't the move just have been to have Rowand come out, Soriano move to CF and Pujols to LF which he has played before.

 

There was already a public ordeal about moving Soriano away from CF earlier in the year. These aren't TLR's players, so he feels obligated not to put them in uncomfortable spots, especially when it's not an absolute necessity(i.e. Rowand is not a quadriplegic). And even beyond that, he risks playing extra innings with absolutely no one to play in the field if someone were to get hurt.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

By the way, who was in right for the NL?

 

Holliday

[Laura]

Again -- then he forfeits if he feels that strongly about it.

 

you don't lose with your so-called best hitter sitting on the bench in the bottom of the 9th with two outs and the bases loaded. indefensible.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Again -- then he forfeits if he feels that strongly about it.

 

you don't lose with your so-called best hitter sitting on the bench in the bottom of the 9th with two outs and the bases loaded. indefensible.

 

Agreed.

 

I can understand (though not agree) with not using Pujols for Hudson. Once the bases were loaded, there's no excuse.

[dew1679666265]

By the way, who was in right for the NL?

 

Holliday

 

Thanks.

 

That would mean Soriano in left. Makes things a bit more iffy, but not much.

[dew1679666265]

Again -- then he forfeits if he feels that strongly about it.

 

you don't lose with your so-called best hitter sitting on the bench in the bottom of the 9th with two outs and the bases loaded. indefensible.

 

Agreed.

 

I can understand (though not agree) with not using Pujols for Hudson. Once the bases were loaded, there's no excuse.

 

Exactly my thinking. With as unlikely as a tie is in that situation, there's no doubt you pinch hit the best hitter in the game.

[IWU_CUBS_FAN]

Again -- then he forfeits if he feels that strongly about it.

 

you don't lose with your so-called best hitter sitting on the bench in the bottom of the 9th with two outs and the bases loaded. indefensible.

 

Agreed.

 

I can understand (though not agree) with not using Pujols for Hudson. Once the bases were loaded, there's no excuse.

agreed, because with them loaded the game has more chances to end with that at bat then not...cuz a single scores Lee pry, an out ends it....

[Laura]

Did they show Pujols in the dugout in the 9th?

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

Did they show Pujols in the dugout in the 9th?

 

Yes. They showed a brief shot of him in the bottom of the ninth. I believe it was right before the Hudson at bat. But, he was in full uniform in the dugout.

[Omar]

Did they show Pujols in the dugout in the 9th?

 

Yes. They showed a brief shot of him in the bottom of the ninth. I believe it was right before the Hudson at bat. But, he was in full uniform in the dugout.

 

Some other boards are saying he left.

[Laura]

That's the rumor.

 

eta: being reported by wfan radio.

[Balsa]

Did they show Pujols in the dugout in the 9th?

 

Yes. They showed a brief shot of him in the bottom of the ninth. I believe it was right before the Hudson at bat. But, he was in full uniform in the dugout.

 

Some other boards are saying he left.

In which case, we'll never hear for sure. No way TLR is gonna throw his guy under the bus like that.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Pujols was there. They just showed his quote on BBTN. Pujols said he was ready to go in.

[reds44]

Pujols was there. They just showed his quote on BBTN. Pujols said he was ready to go in.

Yeah they showed him. Apparently Pujols isn't too happy.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

"It's the All-Star game. He can do what he wants," Pujols said Tuesday night. "He does whatever he wants. If I wasn't expecting to play, I wouldn't have come up here"

 

"If he wants to get upset, he can get upset," La Russa said. "Whatever he wants to do, he can do. It's America. That wasn't the most important thing tonight."