FanNation

PUJOLS GROSSLY INSULTED BY LA RUSSA

That last All Star game still baffles me!  I cannot believe how La Russa systematically (and in a premeditated fashion), insulted and embarrassed the greatest player in the game today, his own Albert Pujols.  Tony, it was an unforgiveable sin.  And because of your faux paux, you have fallen from grace in St. Louis. 

Why, Tony?  Why would Pujols' own manager try to embarrass him before multi-millions of fans?  Pujols took it like the champ and gentleman that he is, but YOU, Tony, exited the All Star game as a villain. 

Oh yes, Tony, we heard you claim that you were "saving" Pujols for an emergency.  Huh?  That doesn't make sense, Tony.  You could easily have put Pujols into the game by, at least, the eighth inning.  You were not "saving" Pujols, you had to be purposefully disgracing him for some sadistic, vindictive personal reasons.   

Here's what I think, Tony.  You were doing a dirty power-play, pure and simple.  In the All Star game, you displayed who you really are:   a small-minded and obviously retaliatory tyrant manager who cared more about yourself than your own Hall of Fame team mate--Albert Pujols, who carried you on his back to last year's World Series. 

The Cards and the fans adore Albert.  That adoration for him is obviously part of the problem for you.  Much of the adoration for Pujols you obviously believe belongs to you.  

Tony La Russa evidently viewed his prize player as upstaging him way too much.  Fan worship for Pujols was cutting too deep into worship that Tony felt should be his own.  Well, Tony, since the All Star game, the team and the fans have lost most of the respect and esteem they had for you.  You've alienated not only Albert and the team but also the St. Louis fans--fans who will not forget your mean-spirited attack on their beloved Pujols. 

Now, here's my prediction, Tony (and you have earned it).  Worship for you in St. Louis is now over.  Your days of "walking on water" are sunk.  You've exposed yourself for what you are.  St. Louis fans don't like mean, arrogant people--even if they are Cardinal managers.  I am predicting that you will not have your Cardinal contract renewed because, if the fans know, the Cardinal front office knows.  Tony, you're done.  You're finished, and you engineered this whole thing by yourself.