Is Tony over reacting just like the media???

nwbearcat · Post by **nwbearcat** » April 3 07, 10:16 am

Redbirds skipper Tony La Russa voiced displeasure after Monday's optional workout at Busch Stadium about what he considered excessive attention paid to Duncan's absence against Mets lefthander Tom Glavine.

Typically generous with explaining the construction of his lineup, La Russa suggested he might remain more closed-mouthed if the undue scrutiny persists. La Russa said he thought critiques of Sunday's explanation suggested "a lack of believability or credibility."

"If Chris goes out and goes 0 for four, is that a good move to play him?" La Russa asked. "I think it's a much better move to play the other two guys and let Chris get his shot another day. He might have got 'em, but I don't understand ... a lack of believability or credibility with the reasoning. I'm not talking about being second-guessed. That wasn't, in my opinion, one of those controversial moves that deserves that much attention."

I think this is somewhat thin skinned on Tony's part. I think he left himself open for some questions when he names Duncan his every day left fielder then sits him on opening day. If Tony had felt that Duncan would be a right left platoon guy then he needs to say that, and I don't think he would be answering those types of questions. I do agree with Tony that I don't think the decision was a huge deal, but he is adding to the attention by his continued comments. If I open the paper this morning and there is no mention of Duncan not starting in the opener, I forget all about it because there is a game tonight. However, it is now right there in the forefront again because Tony didn't let it go

GatewaySnayke · Post by **GatewaySnayke** » April 3 07, 10:18 am

Tony wrote:"If Chris goes out and goes 0 for four, is that a good move to play him?" La Russa asked. "I think it's a much better move to play the other two guys and let Chris get his shot another day. He might have got 'em, but I don't understand ... a lack of believability or credibility with the reasoning. I'm not talking about being second-guessed. That wasn't, in my opinion, one of those controversial moves that deserves that much attention."

Yep.

cardfaninfla · Post by **cardfaninfla** » April 3 07, 10:25 am

Was it thin skinned? Maybe a little. It certainly didn't seem odd to me that you would hold a young left handed hitter out against a veteran left handed pitcher like Glavin, but some in the medis seemed to want to make a big thing of it.

jim · Post by **jim** » April 3 07, 10:28 am

I'll bet managers hate off days more than fans, especially after a loss. C'mon press, drop it. He's a left handed hitter with bad platoon splits and Tony decided to go another route.

fulldeck · Post by **fulldeck** » April 3 07, 11:26 am

I think this goes hand in hand with the over/under rated thread. TLR is taking the heat for keeping Duncan out of the game. Once again, he seems to be trying to put his players in the best spots to succeed.

skmsw · Post by **skmsw** » April 3 07, 11:29 am

I think batting Duncan against Glavine would have been the questionable move, not the other way around.

Now, if anyone wants to question batting Yadi 5th . . .

Jocephus · Post by **Jocephus** » April 3 07, 12:40 pm

are we over-reacting to tony over-reacting to the fans over-reacting to his lineup from sunday?

maddash · Post by **maddash** » April 3 07, 1:06 pm

I think one of the main reasons people are complaining about Tony's lineup, is because Opening Day/Night is an event for you to showcase your "team" for the year. It's where teams get to roll out their best players for the fans to see. Starting the first game off with a platoon (while it may give you the best chance to win) sets a strange tone for the fans. Opening Day is hardly a throwaway game, but keep in mind that most fans view this game as the start of a whole new year for them. Rolling out Taguchi in left and Wilson in right, while benching fan favorites Duncan and Spiezio, makes most fans go "ugh".

It would be like Tony benching Yadi because Bennett hits Glavine better. Who cares if it's true, the fans want the '07 Cardinals playing on opening day, not some platoon or second squad team.

raddy · Post by **raddy** » April 3 07, 1:09 pm

I understood this a lot more than benching Matheny in place of Defielce sp

on opening day after Matheny had won a gold glove.

Richie Allen · Post by **Richie Allen** » April 3 07, 2:16 pm

maddash wrote:I think one of the main reasons people are complaining about Tony's lineup, is because Opening Day/Night is an event for you to showcase your "team" for the year. It's where teams get to roll out their best players for the fans to see. Starting the first game off with a platoon (while it may give you the best chance to win) sets a strange tone for the fans. Opening Day is hardly a throwaway game, but keep in mind that most fans view this game as the start of a whole new year for them. Rolling out Taguchi in left and Wilson in right, while benching fan favorites Duncan and Spiezio, makes most fans go "ugh".

It would be like Tony benching Yadi because Bennett hits Glavine better. Who cares if it's true, the fans want the '07 Cardinals playing on opening day, not some platoon or second squad team.

I think in addition to playing the percentages he was, to some extent, giving his veteran players the nod on opening day. It could well possibly be each of their last.