You knew he couldn't stay quiet forever. Its just not in his nature, especially when it is about the team he controls.
St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa stayed relatively quiet throughout this entire contract negotiation between the organization and star first baseman Albert Pujols.
A week ago we wondered where Tony was and when he would give his input (click here.)
Today, we got our answer and La Russa did not disappoint.
The manager, with the third most victories in Major League Baseball history, had some pointed words regarding the players' union and its influence over the entire situation.
Without any specific evidence from Pujols or the organization, here is what La Russa had to say on Tuesday.
"I'm not saying that if I was a union representative I would do it differently," the manager said. "I'm just saying I think it diminishes the other factors that a player looks at. ... I think each negotiation should be based on what's the best decision -- taking everything into account, not taking one thing into account."
La Russa wasn't done. Why would he be?
"[This is} not just arm-twisting. It's dropping an anvil on your back through the roof of your house."
Well done Tony and likely spot on.
Unions in professional sports seem to be rearing their ugly heads more and more and you wonder if they are truly in the business of making sports better.
Sure they exist to "protect the players." But protect them from what?
Calling out the union is exactly what needed to be done, so thank you La Russa for doing so. You are likely correct. Pujols has probably been given orders to get as much money as possible, despite the unions claim they have had zero contact with Albert or his agent.
Great job for calling a spade what it is. Crooked.
And once again and probably most importantly, Tony has shown that he is literally a PR genius.
For a small time today, the media wasn't talking about the contract negotiations. They were talking about you.
And during a time when baseball and preparing for a long and grueling 162 game season, that is exactly what your team needs right now.
A distraction.
A distraction from the circus that is the epic contract negotiation that has caught the attention of the national media and ESPN.
A distraction that turns great teams into mediocre ones.
La Russa will do everything in his power to make sure that there is less focus on Albert so that there can be more focus on baseball.
So far in 2011, La Russa is doing a great job.
St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa stayed relatively quiet throughout this entire contract negotiation between the organization and star first baseman Albert Pujols.
A week ago we wondered where Tony was and when he would give his input (click here.)
Today, we got our answer and La Russa did not disappoint.
The manager, with the third most victories in Major League Baseball history, had some pointed words regarding the players' union and its influence over the entire situation.
Without any specific evidence from Pujols or the organization, here is what La Russa had to say on Tuesday.
"I'm not saying that if I was a union representative I would do it differently," the manager said. "I'm just saying I think it diminishes the other factors that a player looks at. ... I think each negotiation should be based on what's the best decision -- taking everything into account, not taking one thing into account."
La Russa wasn't done. Why would he be?
"[This is} not just arm-twisting. It's dropping an anvil on your back through the roof of your house."
Well done Tony and likely spot on.
Unions in professional sports seem to be rearing their ugly heads more and more and you wonder if they are truly in the business of making sports better.
Sure they exist to "protect the players." But protect them from what?
Calling out the union is exactly what needed to be done, so thank you La Russa for doing so. You are likely correct. Pujols has probably been given orders to get as much money as possible, despite the unions claim they have had zero contact with Albert or his agent.
Great job for calling a spade what it is. Crooked.
And once again and probably most importantly, Tony has shown that he is literally a PR genius.
For a small time today, the media wasn't talking about the contract negotiations. They were talking about you.
And during a time when baseball and preparing for a long and grueling 162 game season, that is exactly what your team needs right now.
A distraction.
A distraction from the circus that is the epic contract negotiation that has caught the attention of the national media and ESPN.
A distraction that turns great teams into mediocre ones.
La Russa will do everything in his power to make sure that there is less focus on Albert so that there can be more focus on baseball.
So far in 2011, La Russa is doing a great job.
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