LaRussa is Back

At least, that’s what Bernie is saying.  A 1 PM press conference will tell us more about it.  I’m sure the various forums around the net (most certainly CardsClubhouse) will be great places to be today before and after the press conference.  As for me, I think it’s probably the best move, if, and only if, TLR realizes that 1) he may have to submerge his wants to what the GM wants, especially if the philosophy is to swing toward player development and 2) the GM gets the final call.  I’m afraid that we’ll have a situation where the GM feels like the owner is listening more to the manager than to him.  Hopefully the chain of command and areas of responsibility will be all lined out.

Purely on the field and dealing with the players, though, I think it’s a fine move.  There aren’t too many better in the clubhouse, really.  He knows the organization, etc.  Now, it would be nice if he’d spend some time grooming a successor (Oquendo?), because I figure the end of this contract should be the end of his career.  Three years, at his age, gives him a chance to have a nice swan song.

(I know, it’s rare for me to have two posts up within an hour.  Regular readers–if there are any!–get a treat today!)

Not So Surprising

A few days ago, I wrote this:

“Problem is, the ALCS isn’t over yet. If the Sox could pick a pitcher to keep their season alive, it’d be Josh Beckett. He’s looked great this postseason, and he’s already beaten Sabathia once. Put that with the fact that a lot of this team remembers climbing out of the 3-0 hole in 2004 and it’s not like they are going to roll over and play dead.”

And that’s just what happened.  When the Indians weren’t able to solve Beckett in Game 5, I knew Cleveland was in trouble.  Carmona had shown he had trouble pitching in Fenway, and that flared up again in Game 6.  Then you get to a Game 7, when anything can happen.

This is very reminicent of the 1996 NLCS, Cardinals vs. Braves.  It was the first year of LaRussa in St. Louis and the Cardinals had made it to the postseason.  They swept the Padres out of the way and got up 3-1 to the Braves.  However, the Braves had the better pitching setup for the last three games, and their bats just pounded the Cardinals.  They outscored St. Louis 32-1 in the last three games and went on to lose to the Yankees in the World Series.

While Cleveland didn’t lose quite that badly (they were only outscored 30-5), it was pretty darn close.  And Cleveland has to wait another year for a chance at a title.

Rockies and Red Sox.  You’ll hear a lot of Todd Helton talk, since the two teams almost made a deal involving him in spring training.  Hope he has a huge series and Colorado takes the title.  Unfortunately, I’m afraid that it’s getting close to midnight on Cinderella’s dance.