LaRussa retires!

[SouthSideRyan]

Albert's looking for a long-term deal. Tony was never going to manage past his contract which ended after next season. Coming back to St Louis could never have been predicated on wanting to only play for LaRussa because everyone knew retirement was close. Besides, Tony doesn't manage for any other teams either. One may have an effect on the other, but I'd have a hard time believing anything other than offering him top dollar will have an impact on where Albert plays the rest of his career.

 

Pujols may not have been affected by LaRussa's status, but LaRussa may have been affected by Pujols's status.

 

Yeah, this is how I look at it. Which is why I said somewhere earlier that LaRussa's decision may have been influenced by Pujols' decision (if he's made one).

Unless ownership has gone to Tony and said they don't have the money or won't spend the money necessary to bring Pujols back, this is dubious.

 

Yeah, it's not like Pujols and LaRussa had a close relationship.

[Guest]

I wonder if this has anything to do with Albert?

 

This was my thought. Maybe Albert told him he's not coming back no matter what.

Lots of signs pointing to him leaving, he asked Tony to sign a photo from his rookie year before game 6. That doesn't sound like someone who was planning on being together much longer.

 

 

Maybe I was the one who heard the story wrong, but the way I heard the story, Pujols asked him to sign that picture after his rookie year. Tony asked if he could have a couple of days to think about what to write, and he wrote, "To the best player I've ever managed," or something along those lines. The story, as I understood it, was that he wrote that right after Albert's rookie year. Not before game 6.

[jersey cubs fan]

I wonder if this has anything to do with Albert?

 

This was my thought. Maybe Albert told him he's not coming back no matter what.

Lots of signs pointing to him leaving, he asked Tony to sign a photo from his rookie year before game 6. That doesn't sound like someone who was planning on being together much longer.

 

 

Maybe I was the one who heard the story wrong, but the way I heard the story, Pujols asked him to sign that picture after his rookie year. Tony asked if he could have a couple of days to think about what to write, and he wrote, "To the best player I've ever managed," or something along those lines. The story, as I understood it, was that he wrote that right after Albert's rookie year. Not before game 6.

 

It was a very poorly told story, but yes, I think your interpretation is right, despite it sounding different at first.

[cardslesson101]

Duncan was in the dugout the last game of the season.

[wolf stansson]

Albert's looking for a long-term deal. Tony was never going to manage past his contract which ended after next season. Coming back to St Louis could never have been predicated on wanting to only play for LaRussa because everyone knew retirement was close. Besides, Tony doesn't manage for any other teams either. One may have an effect on the other, but I'd have a hard time believing anything other than offering him top dollar will have an impact on where Albert plays the rest of his career.

 

Pujols may not have been affected by LaRussa's status, but LaRussa may have been affected by Pujols's status.

 

Yeah, this is how I look at it. Which is why I said somewhere earlier that LaRussa's decision may have been influenced by Pujols' decision (if he's made one).

Unless ownership has gone to Tony and said they don't have the money or won't spend the money necessary to bring Pujols back, this is dubious.

 

Yeah, it's not like Pujols and LaRussa had a close relationship.

I don't understand what point you're trying to make. Of course they're close. What I'm saying is that the ball is in the owner's court. If the money is equal, Pujols will stay in St. Louis. Pujols hasn't hit the open market so he doesn't know for sure what his market value is so he has no idea if the money the Cardinals offered last summer is equal or not. Thus, Pujols has no idea whether or not he's staying or going at this point, Tony has no idea if Pujols is staying or going unless ownership told Tony they weren't going to resign Pujols, and since that's not very realistic, the obvious conclusion to draw (re: the non-pipe dream Cubs fan wishful thinking conclusion) is that his retirement and Pujols' return are going to have very little to do with one another. Considering his age, the physical toll the season took on him, his prolific winning career, the fact that he has the opportunity to retire after being at the helm of one of if not the most improbable World Series champions of all time and that he's more than likely going to win Manager of the Year, now would seem like a pretty ideal time to bow out on top regardless of Pujols' somewhat uncertain status.

[SouthSideRyan]

I'd imagine Pujols has a decent idea of what kind of contract they'll be offering him. He told Drunky LaShingles that he won't be coming back. LaRussa ran and hid.

[XZero771679666304]

A few thoughts:

 

1. I don't know why anyone is really surprised by this.

 

2. I don't think this really hurts the Cardinals that much.

 

3. While he and Albert were/are close, I don't think one staying/leaving was contingent on the other. That said, LaRussa retiring might make a difference if competing offers are close. There was definitely a comfort zone for Al with Tony that won't be there. It's not a huge deal, but it's not completely insignificant, either.

 

But if one of the big market teams get involved (especially if multiple teams do), the Cardinals offer likely won't be competitive and the issue will be moot.

[davearm2]

A few thoughts:

 

1. I don't know why anyone is really surprised by this.

 

2. I don't think this really hurts the Cardinals that much.

 

3. While he and Albert were/are close, I don't think one staying/leaving was contingent on the other. That said, LaRussa retiring might make a difference if competing offers are close. There was definitely a comfort zone for Al with Tony that won't be there. It's not a huge deal, but it's not completely insignificant, either.

 

But if one of the big market teams get involved (especially if multiple teams do), the Cardinals offer likely won't be competitive and the issue will be moot.

Well said @ 3. For as much crap as folks hurl at TLR, the way he handled Pujols was pretty close to ideal.

[Mark Priors Calves]

He wants to open a book store? He really has been focused on baseball the last 20 years.

[imb]

He wants to open a book store? He really has been focused on baseball the last 20 years.

 

Hahahahaha

[Clem Fandango]

According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan plans to return in 2012.

Duncan has one year remaining on his contract and a mutual option for 2013. Some speculated that he might walk away following Tony La Russa's retirement and his wife's illness, but that's apparently not the case. However, he has ruled himself out as a managerial candidate.

[illiniguy]

I wonder if this has anything to do with Albert?

 

This was my thought. Maybe Albert told him he's not coming back no matter what.

Lots of signs pointing to him leaving, he asked Tony to sign a photo from his rookie year before game 6. That doesn't sound like someone who was planning on being together much longer.

 

 

Maybe I was the one who heard the story wrong, but the way I heard the story, Pujols asked him to sign that picture after his rookie year. Tony asked if he could have a couple of days to think about what to write, and he wrote, "To the best player I've ever managed," or something along those lines. The story, as I understood it, was that he wrote that right after Albert's rookie year. Not before game 6.

Buck said that Pujols came to him before game 6 and that Tony didn't want to sign the photo.

[Banedon]

Buck said that Pujols came to him before game 6 and that Tony didn't want to sign the photo.

 

Buck told the story weirdly. This article is from June:

 

Tony La Russa doesn't tell this story often, but he thought it was worth repeating late Sunday afternoon in his office. After Albert Pujols had won a second consecutive extra-inning game against the Chicago Cubs with, in this case, a high-stepping, walkoff home run, the Cardinals' manager hearkened to the night in Phoenix in October 2001, when his team was eliminated in the last inning of the last game of a playoff series by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

 

The team had gathered at a steakhouse for a party sponsored by Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr., and, at one point during the night and early morning of commiseration and celebration, Pujols, then a rookie, asked La Russa to sign a photo of the two of them. La Russa said he "wanted to do right by it" and said he would give it to Pujols on the plane ride home the next morning.

 

When La Russa presented Pujols the photo, he had inscribed, "To Albert. The best player I've ever managed."

 

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_393b5c14-0f31-53d0-8977-b108de3b3298.html

[jersey cubs fan]

According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan plans to return in 2012.

Duncan has one year remaining on his contract and a mutual option for 2013. Some speculated that he might walk away following Tony La Russa's retirement and his wife's illness, but that's apparently not the case. However, he has ruled himself out as a managerial candidate.

 

If you are under contract you should plan on returning if you actually want that money. Management could still buy him out if they go with a new staff.

[Mike_Mun]

LaRussa retiring can only be a good thing for Cubdom. He was a manager Chicago loved to hate, but he was always prepared and exacted superb effort from his players. One of the game's great icons is departing the scene and leaving St Louis with a few questions at a vulnerable moment. Reportedly, LaRussa made his mind up in August. While he may have suspected that Albert was leaving, I doubt the leaving (or not), per se, played a focal part in his decision-making. LaRussa was tired of the second guessing by St Louis' scribes and the fan base. He was tired of the "faction" which has always chosen to look past his successes and hate him, anyway.

 

His thoughts regarding Pujols may well be less directed at where Pujols plays than how he does. Albert is aging and while it's still somewhat graceful, parts of this year shows that it will become less so in the years to come. Pujols bounced into the most DP's of any player in either league. (The Cardinals at one time led the NL with all three of the top spots in that ignominious category, Pujols, Molina and Holliday). As it pertains to Pujols, the Cards are in something of a can't win series of options: The two leading candidates are 1) he goes 2) he stays and gets another year older and as Tennessee Ernie Ford used to croon (DeWitt) deeper in debt. I don't think LaRussa felt either scenario was going to be fun for him to preside over.

 

Of course the Cardinals farm system has become one of the best in the majors. They have 3 potential #1's percolating in the system with Miller, Martinez and Jenkins...and a not very far behind #2 in Rosenthal. Figuring that Wainwright and Garcia will be there for quite a while, the rotation is in great shape. Their bullpen will be well stocked as well....Sanchez, Lynn, Cleto, Swagerty, Gast, etc Some of the position players pushing up the system are no slouches as well. Adams (1B), Jackson (SS), Wong (2B), Carpenter and Cox (3B) Taveras (OF), Cruz ©, Tommy Pham (CF).

 

Perhaps LaRussa thought this was a good time to bow out and let someone else nursemaid all this young talent. No doubt Coby Rasmus took a lot if not all the reserve LaRussa had in dealing with problem children.

 

If you ask me, LaRussa did what was best for St Louis by leaving when he did. He figures that Duncan, the power behind the throne, would stick around for another year or two and help the new guy get settled. For me, that is the guy whose departure will have the greater impact. Then again, if he stays two one of his star pupils will become a potential candidate for the job. Don't laugh but Carpenter is a student of the game and a coach to the others.

 

Anyway, LaRussa is gone and Cubdom should rejoice...for the time being.

[MWV]

Cubdom

Please don't.

[SouthSideRyan]

Who could possibly consider Carlos Martinez and Tyrell Jenkins on the same level as Shelby Miller??

 

Oh a Cardinals fan posing as a Cubs fan. Got it.

[SouthSideRyan]

But seriously guys, watch out for that 21st round pick who put up an ok line at A ball at the age of 21. He's a star I tellz ya

[Mike_Mun]

Who could possibly consider Carlos Martinez and Tyrell Jenkins on the same level as Shelby Miller??

 

Oh a Cardinals fan posing as a Cubs fan. Got it.

 

 

This guy here. And I don't think he's a Cards fan posing as anything. Get it?

[MWV]

Are you addressing all of cubdom, or just SSR?

[SouthSideRyan]

Who could possibly consider Carlos Martinez and Tyrell Jenkins on the same level as Shelby Miller??

 

Oh a Cardinals fan posing as a Cubs fan. Got it.

 

 

This guy here. And I don't think he's a Cards fan posing as anything. Get it?

 

So not at the same level as Miller then. Got it.

 

ETA: Weirdo.

[SouthSideRyan]

Are you addressing all of cubdom, or just SSR?

 

LOOK HE'S A CUB FAN OK

[Mike_Mun]

Who could possibly consider Carlos Martinez and Tyrell Jenkins on the same level as Shelby Miller??

 

Oh a Cardinals fan posing as a Cubs fan. Got it.

 

 

This guy here. And I don't think he's a Cards fan posing as anything. Get it?

 

So not at the same level as Miller then. Got it.

 

ETA: Weirdo.

Don't take your anger out on me Bubby. If you have an issue with what I said you haven't articulated it yet. Sickles is the guy who's fired up about their farm. I'm pretty sure I described his comments correctly.

 

If you don't like it, take it up with him. It's not a prerequisite to hate the Cardinals in order to like the Cubs. You've just made it an art form.

[Guest]

I'm not kidding around when I say I want the forum to be more civil.

 

 

 

 

(see what I did there?)

[SouthSideRyan]

Who could possibly consider Carlos Martinez and Tyrell Jenkins on the same level as Shelby Miller??

 

Oh a Cardinals fan posing as a Cubs fan. Got it.

 

 

This guy here. And I don't think he's a Cards fan posing as anything. Get it?

 

So not at the same level as Miller then. Got it.

 

ETA: Weirdo.

Don't take your anger out on me Bubby. If you have an issue with what I said you haven't articulated it yet. Sickles is the guy who's fired up about their farm. I'm pretty sure I described his comments correctly.

 

If you don't like it, take it up with him. It's not a prerequisite to hate the Cardinals in order to like the Cubs. You've just made it an art form.

 

Fired up about your farm.