[外電] Pujols, La Russa: still friends
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Pujols, La Russa: still friends
By Joe Strauss
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
07/14/2007
PHILADELPHIA — Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and first baseman Albert
Pujols spoke at length Friday for the first time since La Russa's
much-discussed decision not to use his own player in Tuesday's All-Star Game.
Each reinforced points made to the media in the previous two days and
insisted that there is nothing but respect for the other.
"My belief has always been that a deep respect exists between us," La Russa
said. "If what happened had done something to damage that, it would have
bothered me because it would have shown that respect to be superficial. To an
extent, I think I've been a father figure to him. I know he means a great
deal to me. It would have really hurt to see that diminished."
Pujols repeated that he remained available after returning to the National
League clubhouse to stretch and apply a balm.
Told about reports that he had changed out of his uniform into his suit as
the National League rallied for two runs in the ninth inning, Pujols enlisted
bullpen coach Marty Mason to corroborate his account that he was in the
clubhouse stretching with Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Jose Valverde. Mason,
in the clubhouse at the time, said that Pujols absolutely was available.
La Russa allowed Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Aaron Rowand to hit with
the bases loaded and two outs in a 5-4 game. Rowand popped out, leading to a
stream of criticism over La Russa leaving his former MVP and batting champion
on the bench.
"I just told him I was concerned for him because of all the ripping he was
getting from the media," Pujols said. "I didn't really care that much for
myself, but I know everybody was criticizing him."
"If I come up and walk, the game goes extra innings and he's got nobody else
to play, and what happens if somebody gets hurt? The media criticizes him.
I'm pretty sure he's going to be criticized any way he goes unless we win the
game right there," Pujols said.
La Russa re-stated he "missed the moment" by not embracing the dramatic
significance of having Pujols hit. In hindsight, he said he should have
risked a potential forfeit had one of his last eight position players been
hurt.
"I was thinking about the professional side of it, not about the emotional
side of it," La Russa said. "I knew it would be dramatic, but I thought about
what a walk or a wild pitch and the position that might put us in."
La Russa denied he was in a no-win situation.
"If we win, I win," he said.
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