The problem with that team was that EVERYTHING sucked. 2006 was the nadir of Rangers Baseball. We had a terrible product on the field, we had the DVD combo that busted out (at least we got Hamilton out of it), and traded Adrian Gonzalez to the Padres for Adam Eaton. ughOriginally Posted by mattndallas
A strong finish to June and the Chisox are back in first again! The offense sputtered a bit this month, but they are hanging in there. Stole one from the dreaded Yankees last night. This is fun after last year's disappointment.
Johnny Cueto -- easily one of the three most dominant NL pitchers -- was left off the NL All-Star roster.
The coach who selected the pitchers: Tony LaRussa -- the guy who coached the Cardinals when a whole bunch of players from both the Cards and Reds acted like douches a couple years ago during one of the stupidest feuds and brawls of all time.
Stay classy, Tony.
(Two Reds were named to the team by LaRussa, but neither had any role in the brawl.)
(And if you think I'm imaging that this was an intentional snub, apparently the Cardinals announcers said today that it was "karma" that Cueto and Brandon Phillips were left off the rosters.)
Cancer sucks.
And now, for the rest of the story.
All-Star selections are always hard because very deserving players get left home every year.The non-selection of Cueto, he said, was because the righthander, who is 9-4 with a 2.26 earned run average, is slated to pitch next Sunday for the Reds and would be unavailable to pitch in an All-Star Game two days later. La Russa said he also removed Milwaukee's Zack Greinke (9-2) from consideration because he had been told Greinke would be pitching next Sunday.
"If Dusty had been more interested in Cueto being on the team, then he wouldn't be pitching him on Sunday," said La Russa, speaking exclusively to the Post-Dispatch.
"The comments Dusty made clearly disappoint me and are attacking my integrity. The All-Star experience is too important to let anything stand in the way of a decision like that. No way am I going to penalize anybody for any kind of past history. The fact is that Cueto is going to be pitching on Sunday. Some other day, he's probably on the team.
"Tell Dusty he can look in the mirror for Cueto not being on the All-Star team."
As for Phillips, La Russa's hands were tied somewhat because Houston's Jose Altuve surprisingly won the players' vote at that position and Dan Uggla of Atlanta won the fans' vote. La Russa added four position players to the team — catcher Carlos Ruiz of Philadelphia, Washington shortstop Ian Desmond, Florida right fielder Giancarlo Stanton and Cincinnati outfielder Jay Bruce.
"Maybe Dusty could let me know who he would like to take off the team to put Phillips on," said La Russa. "Which of these guys would he like me to kick off? I'd like to know that. There's a second baseman over in Arizona (Aaron Hill) who has credentials to be on the team.
Officer Mitchell, I thought you said you didn't want to have to come back here this evening.
Except that LaRussa specifically ignored terms of the CBA that allow Sunday pitchers to receive the honor they deserve, but not take up an All-Star roster space:
It's no coincidence that the two deserving, yet snubbed pitchers (Greinke and Cueto) are from teams that have had significant feuds with LaRussa in the last couple years.(ii) Sunday Pitcher Rule. Any starting pitcher elected or selected to the All-Star team who makes a start on the Sunday immediately preceding the All-Star Game (“Sunday Pitcher”) shall have the option to participate or not participate in the All-Star Game. If such starting pitcher elects to participate in the All-Star Game, he will not be permitted to pitch for more than one inning, and he may also inform his manager that he should be removed from the game if he reaches a certain pitch count (irrespective of whether he has completed one inning), provided such pitch count is reasonable. If a Sunday Pitcher who was originally named to the team elects not to participate in the All-Star Game, he will be replaced on the roster but treated in the same manner as other All-Stars who are excused from participation, and he will be encouraged to attend and be announced at the All-Star Game.
It stinks, no matter how you cut it.
BTW, this is pure, unadulterated BS from LaRussa:
“If Dusty (Baker) had been more interested in Cueto being on the team, then he wouldn’t be pitching him on Sunday."
He knows it's complete crap, but he said it anyway. Everything he said in that article is politically charged. I might have been willing to let it slide if he was simply ignorant of the rules -- but he KNEW what he was doing all along, and his snide remarks prove it. That's even worse than being ignorant.
If you think those are the only two deserving pitchers who didn't make it, then you simply aren't paying attention. Have a nice day, I am not getting into this with you any further.
You know that your point is fatally flawed. But because you're slinking away, everybody will get to know the truth except for you:
LaRussa specifically said that Cueto and Greinke would have otherwise made the team. They are not merely good players left out, as happens every year -- they are players who LaRussa admits were worthy of an All-Star selection, but were exempted due to their own coaches' desire to maintain a normal rotation. As proven, that's a faulty explanation in conflict with the CBA.
The Sunday start was the only reason he didn't select Cueto. Using his own statement, not mine, he either screwed up, or acted like a complete jerk.The non-selection of Cueto, he said, was because the righthander, who is 9-4 with a 2.26 earned run average, is slated to pitch next Sunday for the Reds and would be unavailable to pitch in an All-Star Game two days later.
Your choice.
....and then they lost the series with the Yankees. haven't looked....where are they now? aren't they behind the Royals????
No, they split the four games series in NY and are still in first. I know, when the Yankees lose it is strangely difficult to find coverage on ESPN.....and then they lost the series with the Yankees. haven't looked....where are they now? aren't they behind the Royals????
Cueto shot himself in the foot for any future selection by making a comment about the Cardinals Managers GFs. between that and trying to tenderize one of the STL players in that brawl, I would say unless he gets clearly voted in by the fans, he'll never see an All Star Game unless he's purchased tickets.
don't get me wrong, I personally like the guy....as a player. heck of a pitcher, as is Greinke, but if they keep having run-ins with other teams, that will eventually bite them in the @$$ for any All Star consideration. just sayin.....
No, they split the four games series in NY and are still in first. I know, when the Yankees lose it is strangely difficult to find coverage on ESPN.
LOL....no kidding. the only coverage we heard here in Central Indiana was that the Sox LOST. they even eluded to a sweep, but I did think I read where the won at least one game.
but hey, how about dem Cubs!!!
That's true. AJ Pierzynski deserves to start at catcher but the fans will NEVER vote him in.
I neither agree nor disagree with any of that. Some of it is fair, but it avoids the issue at hand:
LaRussa used the faulty Sunday excuse for a player he said was otherwise deserving -- costing Cueto a significant honor and paycheck. So, is LaRussa ignorant, or just a jerk, in your opinion?
agreed.
Last edited by Spares101; 07-02-2012 at 03:41 PM.
Yes, I believe Rizzo played every position, AT THE SAME TIME!!! Also took tickets and sold beerLOL....no kidding. the only coverage we heard here in Central Indiana was that the Sox LOST. they even eluded to a sweep, but I did think I read where the won at least one game.
but hey, how about dem Cubs!!!Poor guy can't possibly live up to the hype.
Astros swept by the Cubs. Great.
And only 1 All STar selection, 2B Jose Altuve. Hopefully he gets more than a pinch hit appearance, since he is hitting 70 points higher than the starting 2B for the National League.
After years of fighting and a split, guess what, we are all IndyCar
October will always be a sad racing month for me. RIP Greg and Dan. You both were great and we miss you.
and while we're on the subject, WHY IN GODS NAME did they come up with this crap about whichever league wins the All Star Game gets home field advantage in the World Series? to make the game mean something? for most of the players on the field, they're not going to be playing in the WS, so what does it mean to them in regards to that rule? its just BS.....IMO of course!
Yes, I believe Rizzo played every position, AT THE SAME TIME!!! Also took tickets and sold beer
that's what I'm afraid of. look at Castro. has shown traces of brilliance, but then makes some boneheaded play on the next at-bat. yea, he's only 20-21 (whatever) but he's been playing for years. not concentrating on the game is not acceptable.....especially when you're IN the game! if you're on the bench, eh...so what. so far Rizzo seems to be more mature than Castro and keeps his head in the game. plus you should see him toss a bag of peanuts from the lower deck at Wrigley to the upper deck.....at Cellular Field! LOL
Just checked the MLB standings for the 1st time in weeks. Some things never change... the Cubs are 14 games back.
"If you wait, all that happens is you get older" - Mario Andretti
Pierzynski can't be a dick and then expect fans to vote him in. While I think that Napoli shouldn't be in the All-Star Game, popularity with the fans determined the starting lineup for the game. Pierzynski then goes off on Ron Washington saying that he doesn't think that Wash feels bad because he didn't select him, but the Twins had to have a representative and Mauer was the guy no matter what. What's even better is that the players had a chance to vote him in and chose Wieters over Pierzynski. If your peers don't think you deserve to be in the game after the starters are chosen, then maybe you either aren't that great on the field or off the field.
I know AJ is unpopular, with fans AND players, but I'm glad he's on my team.
That's actually pretty good considering they've only won 29 games so far this season.
Have a very blessed day!
Blame FOX, IIRC. They wanted to boost the ratings by making the game meaningful and convinced Bud Selig this was the thing to do.and while we're on the subject, WHY IN GODS NAME did they come up with this crap about whichever league wins the All Star Game gets home field advantage in the World Series? to make the game mean something? for most of the players on the field, they're not going to be playing in the WS, so what does it mean to them in regards to that rule? its just BS.....IMO of course!
It's a Hoosier thing, you wouldn't understand...
Can you imagine the uproar if the winner of the Pro Bowl got to choose whether to kick or receive in the Super Bowl?
Not the same as home field advantage in a seven game series. Not saying there wouldn't be an uproar though.
Also, there's already a built-in mechanism before the game for determining the opening kickoff.
I like the added intrigue, however small, of the MLB ASG. It's certainly better than just alternating between leagues every year.
Tony's got a good case, many points you're either ignorant of or refuse to admit. But the bottom line is Cueto got what he deserved, as did Phillips. A parting shot, if you will. It’s not like the integrity of the game is at risk, it’s the All Star “festivities”, for cryin’ out loud. You kick my guy in the head with cleats on and end his career, maybe you’ll think twice about fighting like a girl next time. And now you let your agent whine for you? Yeah, that’s classy.
Dusty’s just being Dusty. He’s done nothing but let Tony get in his head game in and game out. One goes in the hall with multiple rings, one does not. He should shut his trap before Gibby puts him in his place again..
yawn
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