Now PUJOLS is hacked off at LaRussa.

Article below. My 3am spewage first: I find it odd that Tony's excuse
for benching Pujols is "versatility." When is the last time Albert
played anywhere besides 1b ????
On the other hand, perhaps Albert should be glad to have been added to
the roster and asked to fill a spot in the HR derby.
Still, players have started the ASG based upon previous year's
performance numerous times. The fact that Fielder is hot
notwithstanding, Albert deserved a showing in the game. He's not a
first year popularity winner or a washed up dignitary. Even though
Albert looks bad for kvetching, I'll take his side on this one.


Pujols Angry After Being Left on Bench
By JANIE McCAULEY,AP
Posted: 2007-07-11 01:11:51
Filed Under: MLB
SAN FRANCISCO (July 10) - Albert Pujols was angry about being left on
the All-Star bench and the St. Louis slugger took aim at the National
League manager - who just happened to be Tony La Russa of his own
Cardinals.
"It's the All-Star game. He can do what he wants," Pujols said Tuesday
night. "He does whatever he wants. If I wasn't expecting to play, I
wouldn't have come up here."

Pujols, the NL MVP in 2005 and key to the Cardinals' win in the World
Series last year, said La Russa didn't talk to him the entire game.

Pujols could only watch when Aaron Rowand flied out with the bases
loaded to end the American League's 5-4 win.

"If he wants to get upset, he can get upset," La Russa said. "Whatever
he wants to do, he can do. It's America. That wasn't the most
important thing tonight."

With the 32-man rosters, it's not uncommon for few players to be left
out. The AL used 27 players, while the NL used 28.

Pujols and Texas shortstop Michael Young - last year's All-Star game
MVP - were the only position players who didn't get into the game.
Ever since the 2002 event ended in an extra-innings tie, managers have
tended to hold a hitter back just in case.

La Russa said he indeed was saving his star player in case the game
went long.

"Once we lost (Miguel) Cabrera and (Freddy) Sanchez, he was the guy we
were going to use to protect ourselves in case we kept playing because
of Albert's versatility," La Russa said. "I think we had the right guy
at bat."

A six-time All-Star, Pujols finished about 770,000 votes behind
starting first baseman Prince Fielder. He played left field regularly
in 2002 and '03 and also saw time at third base in 2001 and '02.

Pujols said he was getting his body loose the whole night.

"I was ready to go since the game started," Pujols said.

Pujols is mired in a career-worst home run slump - 22 games and a
career-worst 74 at-bats. He is tied with Chris Duncan for the team
lead with 16 homers and his last homer was off Kansas City's Jimmy
Gobble on June 14.

On Jul 11, 11:14 am, Tom <drso....TakeThisOut@aol.com> wrote:
> On Jul 11, 3:38 am, LidsvilleNine <LidsvilleN....TakeThisOut@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> > Article below. My 3am spewage first: I find it odd that Tony's excuse
> > for benching Pujols is "versatility." When is the last time Albert
> > played anywhere besides 1b ????
> > On the other hand, perhaps Albert should be glad to have been added to
> > the roster and asked to fill a spot in the HR derby.
> > Still, players have started the ASG based upon previous year's
> > performance numerous times. The fact that Fielder is hot
> > notwithstanding, Albert deserved a showing in the game. He's not a
> > first year popularity winner or a washed up dignitary. Even though
> > Albert looks bad for kvetching, I'll take his side on this one.
>
> > Pujols Angry After Being Left on Bench
> > By JANIE McCAULEY,AP
> > Posted: 2007-07-11 01:11:51
> > Filed Under: MLB
> > SAN FRANCISCO (July 10) - Albert Pujols was angry about being left on
> > the All-Star bench and the St. Louis slugger took aim at the National
> > League manager - who just happened to be Tony La Russa of his own
> > Cardinals.
> > "It's the All-Star game. He can do what he wants," Pujols said Tuesday
> > night. "He does whatever he wants. If I wasn't expecting to play, I
> > wouldn't have come up here."
>
> > Pujols, the NL MVP in 2005 and key to the Cardinals' win in the World
> > Series last year, said La Russa didn't talk to him the entire game.
>
> > Pujols could only watch when Aaron Rowand flied out with the bases
> > loaded to end the American League's 5-4 win.
>
> > "If he wants to get upset, he can get upset," La Russa said. "Whatever
> > he wants to do, he can do. It's America. That wasn't the most
> > important thing tonight."
>
> > With the 32-man rosters, it's not uncommon for few players to be left
> > out. The AL used 27 players, while the NL used 28.
>
> > Pujols and Texas shortstop Michael Young - last year's All-Star game
> > MVP - were the only position players who didn't get into the game.
> > Ever since the 2002 event ended in an extra-innings tie, managers have
> > tended to hold a hitter back just in case.
>
> > La Russa said he indeed was saving his star player in case the game
> > went long.
>
> > "Once we lost (Miguel) Cabrera and (Freddy) Sanchez, he was the guy we
> > were going to use to protect ourselves in case we kept playing because
> > of Albert's versatility," La Russa said. "I think we had the right guy
> > at bat."
>
> > A six-time All-Star, Pujols finished about 770,000 votes behind
> > starting first baseman Prince Fielder. He played left field regularly
> > in 2002 and '03 and also saw time at third base in 2001 and '02.
>
> > Pujols said he was getting his body loose the whole night.
>
> > "I was ready to go since the game started," Pujols said.
>
> > Pujols is mired in a career-worst home run slump - 22 games and a
> > career-worst 74 at-bats. He is tied with Chris Duncan for the team
> > lead with 16 homers and his last homer was off Kansas City's Jimmy
> > Gobble on June 14.
>
> I think these guys need to work at McDonalds for a year before they
> ever are allowed on a ball field. Then they would know what it's like
> to have a boss and follow instructions.
>
> I feel like I'm in an endless episoe of "Who's the Boss."
>
> Tom

Tom, I would agree with you, but this is not a regular part of the
job, despite Selig's interference.
We've got a game that counts, but the fans pick their favorite
players, and so on...
This isn't a mandatory game for any of the players. This is the only
instance throughout the season in which I disagree with your
statements.