First, Albert spouted off about losing the MVP to Ryan Howard last year. Now, he's spouting off about not getting to play in the All-Star Game.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/allstar07/news/story?id=2932400

 

From the games I have watched in the past, there is usually a player or pitcher who is held out in case the game goes to extra innings (except for the game in Milwaukee that ended in a tie). He was there in the first place because of his manager, so I don't know why he is angry at him. Get past his wife and her child, and there isn't much to salute Albert the person. With his whining about him, he should opt out and sign with the Yankees. He'd be a good fit in that clubhouse.

I kinda agree with him, he is having a down year this year but he IS the BEST player in the NL and he should have gotten in...

I can completely understand about the ASG. Why would any player want to go across the country and miss out on a 3 day break to sit the bench? If he wasn't going to play him, LaRussa shouldn't have selected him.

Get past his wife and her child, and there isn't much to salute Albert the person. .

 

 

Apparently you don't know all that he does in the city of St. Louis.

 

Wouldn't you think that your own manager would find a spot for you in the game?

First, I'm sure Albert gets an All-Star bonus just for appearing. Second, he competed in the HR contest, something he couldn't have done sitting at home. Third, what about the prestige of just being an All-Star? I'll bet you there are several players with numbers close to or better than Albert's this year who would have liked to have sat on the bench of an All-Star game. His comments in the past year really make me question whether he is really a team player or not.

First, Albert spouted off about losing the MVP to Ryan Howard last year. Now, he's spouting off about not getting to play in the All-Star Game.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/allstar07/news/story?id=2932400

 

From the games I have watched in the past, there is usually a player or pitcher who is held out in case the game goes to extra innings (except for the game in Milwaukee that ended in a tie). He was there in the first place because of his manager, so I don't know why he is angry at him. Get past his wife and her child, and there isn't much to salute Albert the person. With his whining about him, he should opt out and sign with the Yankees. He'd be a good fit in that clubhouse.

You obviously don't know much about Albert other then he plays first base for the Cardinals.

First, I'm sure Albert gets an All-Star bonus just for appearing. Second, he competed in the HR contest, something he couldn't have done sitting at home. Third, what about the prestige of just being an All-Star? I'll bet you there are several players with numbers close to or better than Albert's this year who would have liked to have sat on the bench of an All-Star game. His comments in the past year really make me question whether he is really a team player or not.

What comments are you talking about?

First, I'm sure Albert gets an All-Star bonus just for appearing. Second, he competed in the HR contest, something he couldn't have done sitting at home. Third, what about the prestige of just being an All-Star? I'll bet you there are several players with numbers close to or better than Albert's this year who would have liked to have sat on the bench of an All-Star game. His comments in the past year really make me question whether he is really a team player or not.

 

I believe that as a competitor, you want to be up to bat with the game on the line. When you are widely held as the best hitter in the game, I feel that you truly know that you should be at bat. Finally, when your manager is also your manager for the regular season, and sees you everyday, you absolutely should be the one at bat. LaRussa dropped the ball and Pujols should be fired up. This is like sitting Griffey Jr. in the early 90's in the anticipation that the game will go into extra innnings.

How about retitling this thread?

 

Tona LaRussa = Idiot!

I believe that as a competitor, you want to be up to bat with the game on the line. When you are widely held as the best hitter in the game, I feel that you truly know that you should be at bat. Finally, when your manager is also your manager for the regular season, and sees you everyday, you absolutely should be the one at bat. LaRussa dropped the ball and Pujols should be fired up. This is like sitting Griffey Jr. in the early 90's in the anticipation that the game will go into extra innnings.

:thumb: :ylsuper: :ylsuper:

 

Couldn't agree more.......

I know he married a woman with a child who had Down's Syndrome and adopted her. I know they set up a foundation for it. I know that he and his wife are Christians. Again, get past that and I see a troubling pattern when it comes to his train of thought. I find it interesting that last year, his trainer was linked to supplying HGH and this year he in the worst HR slump of his career.

Any player who is selected, wants to play....that is the competitive nature and mindset, anyone would have.

 

This would be a perfect time, to implement the following....All-Star DH. I would propose the following:

 

Each team would have DH, regardless of NL/AL city. The DH is an extra batting position (or can be for pitcher) only. Another DH can enter the game, for a defensive position, but would still bat in the same DH position.

 

A player who was designated as a DH, could could then enter the game defensively for another player but would still bat in the same slot. A new player, would then be inserted into the batting lineup and would hit, where the defensive player did...(for example) #7 hole is DH. In the 6th inning, DH goes in for 3rd basemen, who is hitting in the #8 hole. DH remains in #7 batting spot but plays 3rd. A new player, not in the game, would then bat in the #8 hole and would assume DH role.

 

Just a thought....

What comments are you talking about?

 

Pujols on Ryan Howard winning the MVP ahead of him --

 

“I see it this way: Someone who doesn’t take his team to the playoffs doesn’t deserve to win the MVP.”

 

Pujols seemed to forget that the Phillies won more games than St. Louis last year.

 

Last night --

 

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."

 

All about Albert

First, Albert spouted off about losing the MVP to Ryan Howard last year. Now, he's spouting off about not getting to play in the All-Star Game.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/allstar07/news/story?id=2932400

 

From the games I have watched in the past, there is usually a player or pitcher who is held out in case the game goes to extra innings (except for the game in Milwaukee that ended in a tie). He was there in the first place because of his manager, so I don't know why he is angry at him. Get past his wife and her child, and there isn't much to salute Albert the person. With his whining about him, he should opt out and sign with the Yankees. He'd be a good fit in that clubhouse.

Spouting off? Or answering a question. Did he just come out and voice his displeasure, or was he asked the question by media? Many times media will asked the loaded question to bait the athlete into making a controversial statement. I believe the intent in such questioning is not for good journalism, rather the intent is to see what they can get someone to say. As far as Pujols not being a team player, I'd say there are many teams that would welcome him open arms.

Here's the problem. If LaRussa hits Albert in the 9th and he ties the game, the NL is out of position players. Then everyone blasts Larussa for not keeping a player back, much like they did Torre and Brenly in 2002. Leyland didn't play Michael Young. I haven't come across any comments from him today about him not getting the play in the game. In past years (except 2002), it has always been a practice to keep a player back in case of extra innings or injury. Pujols can play three positions. LaRussa had an explanation for it. Pujols should accept it or simply decline future invitations in favor of players who want to be there and who wouldn't mind sitting the bench as the so-called "extra inning" player.