Tony LaRussa, Larry Stone and a hypothetical.
Edit: Fixed the link.
We all know that LaRussa has the reputation for being egotistical, and I'm sure he would drive much of the blogosphere bananas from time to time. We also know that he probably comes packaged with Dave Duncan. So humor me, LL, with this hypothetical scenario and question following it:
Assume A) Tony LaRussa takes away 0 to 5 wins per season, B) Dave Duncan adds 0> wins to the team, and C) we have to deal with LaRussa's baggage. How do you feel about it? Good idea? Bad idea? Don't know? Uneasy?
Put me in the uneasy camp.
Second edit: Thanks to Poochie, I'm going to rephrase the question: Do you suspect that LaRussa+Duncan is a net positive?
over 1 year ago
Double06
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I don't see how he's any worse than any other manager, added that he brings Duncan with him he's probably a net positive
Considering the sad state of the Cards MiL system, they need people in 2011 that can get the most out of cheap reclamation projects
by Poochie on Oct 14, 2010 8:30 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Values verteran leadership over "unproven" rookies, makes millions of pitching changes in the span of one inning, is a lecherous drunk.
Yeah, he’d be a perfect fit for the Mariners next season. Poor Dave’s head would explode on Opening Day when LaRussa pencils in Griffey to DH and takes out Felix for Sean White in the middle of the fifth inning.
LaRussa actually has a fairly decent track record with rookies
Remember when the A’s had three rookies of the year in a row in the 80s (Canseco, McGwire, Weiss)? What about Jaime Garcia this year? What about him letting Pujols play everyday in 2001 even though he had only a few games experience above A-ball? How about his decision in the 2000 playoffs to let Rick Ankiel start game 1 of the playoffs over veteran 20 game winner Darryl Kile?
He also has nearly as many run-ins with younger players, too.
Most notably Rasmus this season. It’s obviously not a clear-cut preference but LaRussa has achieved just notoriety for putting younger players in his doghouse quite frequently.
He's just as combative with his veteran stars
Most notably he’s gotten into tiffs with Scott Rolen and Jim Edmonds
There seems to be a common theme
LaRussa getting into feuds with superstar players to the point where they request to be traded.
by vivaelpujols on Oct 14, 2010 7:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Eh, the MiL system has gotten much better the past two years
I think they’ll be in the top 15 by the next rankings.
Also, I think it’s fair to blame LaRussa for Miles, Suppan, Stavinoha, and Feliz being on the roster and getting such a ridiculous amount of playing time for players of their caliber. Matt Pagnozzi also got playing time ahead of Bryan Anderson and the end of this year, and this doesn’t even touch on the fact that he had a public fight with our 23 year old future 5 WAR centerfielder (who requested a trade because he wasn’t being played enough). This doesn’t mention the insane in game tactics.
I think LaRussa is without a doubt the worst manager in baseball. I would give up Duncan to get rid of him.
by vivaelpujols on Oct 14, 2010 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions
I think that's a pretty crazy thing to say
Just wait until he leaves, I guarantee you whoever the Cardinals hire will make moves that are equally as puzzling PLUS they’ll find new ways of upsetting you.
This is the kind of positive thinking you get from the Mariner's fanbase!
Hard work never killed nobody, but I won't take my chances.
LaRussa only wants to manage on year-to-year contracts at this point.
That alone makes me wish the Mariners steer clear of him before I even consider any other factors. The team needs some stability at the manager position and even if LaRussa was as brilliant as he thinks he is it’s just not worth heading into each offseason wondering if the manager will be back.
No matter where you go, there you are.
Sigh. Any manager who has Pujols, Carpenter, and Wainwright at the top of their roster is going to be brilliant.
I am going to come into your house at night and rec up the place.
Disagree with your logic.
1) LaRussa hasn’t always had Pujols, Carpenter and Wainwright at the top of his roster, and 2) the Cardinals haven’t been brilliant. (Although “brilliant” is subjective and depends the user’s definition.)
Surely we remember hearing the same about Johnson, Griffey, and Rodriguez.
It takes more than 3 guys to make a good team.
by Rollo Tomasi on Oct 14, 2010 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Well...
If LaRussa takes away 0-5 wins, and 0 is greater than the number of wins Duncan gives, it seems pretty obvious the answer is no.
Morgan Ensberg for Manager 2011!
AL Scout on Rendon: "I would peg him as a poor man's Jose Lopez."
by joof on Oct 14, 2010 2:34 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Indeed! =(
Morgan Ensberg for Manager 2011!
AL Scout on Rendon: "I would peg him as a poor man's Jose Lopez."
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