The St. Louis Cardinals are the defending champions, a title displayed at Busch Stadium and burned into the psyches of red-clothed fans.
But it takes more than a banner or a DVD to reconcile this year’s team with last season’s accomplishment. St. Louis features one all-star, Albert Pujols, landing a berth as a manager’s choice. Or in this case, the choice of his manager, Tony La Russa.
“It shows me that the fans and players are watching us play in the first half,” La Russa said of the scant representation. “We really haven’t been outstanding throughout the ballclub.”
This isn’t a team, it’s a Rudyard Kipling poem. If Chris Carpenter and Mark Mulder return with a vengeance in August, if Jim Edmonds and David Eckstein stop making co-pays on the medical insurance, if Scott Rolen rediscovers his power and if Milwaukee wilts in the September spotlight, it’s possible the Cardinals’ season won’t end in September.
The bigger question emerging in St. Louis is this: Will La Russa return next season? Could he end up with the New York Yankees?
There’s growing, if not informed, speculation La Russa might seek a new challenge. He has won a world title, although he has never completely won over the fans in St. Louis. There’s still grousing about the fact that he doesn’t live full time in the city, returning to California in the winter. His arrogance, though earned, rubs some the wrong way.
La Russa is brilliant but hasn’t been given many desirable pawns for his nightly chess game this season. St. Louis, by all accounts, is profiting from its new stadium and its World Series crown. And yet the Cardinals’ biggest offseason acquisition was light-hitting second baseman Adam Kennedy. Rather than make a play for Ted Lilly, Gil Meche or even Randy Wolf, they went bottom-feeding for Kip Wells, who’s on pace to lose 20 games. Not even pitching coach Dave Duncan can make Armani from polyester cloth every time.
The Cardinals’ lack of spending didn’t go over well with some of the players I talked to in spring training, especially when contrasted to the Cubs’ financial bender.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported in the last week that La Russa and Walt Jocketty could wind up in Cincinnati as a package deal. Reds owner Bob Castellini was an investor with the Cardinals. Jocketty going to Cincinnati would be a good fit. He would be given time to rebuild, and he has obviously grown accustomed to the Midwest.
La Russa? Not so much. Three words: Great American Smallpark. There’s no way La Russa would enjoy managing where home runs are frequent and bullpens are gassed. If he had any thought of taking this job, I would tell him to call his good friend Jim Leyland. Leyland figured he could survive Coors Field in 1999, pre-humidor, and it nearly killed him and his managerial legacy.
Besides, when was the last time La Russa oversaw a rebuilding effort? His next job would likely be his last. He would want a chance at a title. The Yankees provide that every season.
Not sure how La Russa would handle the media crush? He’s the antithesis of Torre when it comes to holding court and suffering fools well. But as a final act, Broadway makes a lot of sense.
Reds alert
The Reds have contacted Joe Girardi, the Hope Diamond of managerial candidates, about their opening. He could have the job, if he wanted it. If he has the stomach, there should be better spots open. (See Cardinals, above.) Here’s a candidate to keep in mind for Cincinnati: Bob Brenly. He has a World Series ring, knows the division as a broadcaster for the Cubs and wouldn’t mind getting back into the game. His name should be pushed by at least a couple of club insiders.
Footnotes
The Angels remain interested in third baseman Garrett Atkins, but there is no indication the Rockies will move him. To even consider it, the price would be beyond steep and require the Rockies to fall out of contention in the next few weeks. The Twins have also called about Atkins. … Here’s a suggestion: If the Rockies aren’t going to revisit trading Todd Helton this winter, they should move Triple-A first baseman Joe Koshansky for pitching help. They benefited from a similar deal last season with Ryan Shealy, netting reliever Jeremy Affeldt. But it’s fair to say interest at this point has been tepid. … Having manager Jerry Narron around provided a comfort level for Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton, who turned his life around after a public bout with drugs. The Reds need to make sure this kid has the support needed as he continues his recovery…. Agent Scott Boras was right: Moving Byung-Hyun Kim to the Florida Marlins and their spacious park has rejuvenated his career. He’s 3-2 with a 4.30 ERA in 10 games for the Marlins. Jorge Julio, meanwhile, has helped stabilize the Rockies’ bullpen….Mark Buehrle could still be dealt if the Chicago White Sox can’t work out an extension with a suitable no-trade clause. Consider the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox as the front-runners.
Staff writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
EYE ON …
HIDEKI OKAJIMA, PITCHER, RED SOX
Background: After 12 years in Japan, Okajima quietly made himself available to major-league teams. A left-hander with a good off-speed pitch, the 31-year-old oddly didn’t command much attention. So the Red Sox, already courting Daisuke Matsuzaka, swooped in with one of baseball’s best bargains, signing Okajima to a two-year, $2.5 million deal with an option for 2009.
What’s up: Okajima was a stud for the Nippon Ham Fighters last season, reviving his career. But no one expected he would morph into arguably the league’s best setup man. He entered the weekend with a 2-0 record, 0.88 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 41 innings. “We thought he would be in our bullpen and that performance would dictate how much we used him. We would be lying if we said we aren’t surprised,” Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said. The Red Sox liked a lot of things about Okajima, mainly his terrific curveball, a 10-year track record of success and a chilling strikeout-to-walk ratio.
What’s next: The fans now like a lot of things about him too, electing him to the American League all-star team through the last-man Internet balloting. Rarely do setup men get this type of recognition, but if there’s ever been somebody deserving of the honor, it’s Okajima.
Renck’s take: It would be unfair to expect Okajima to continue on this arc. He hasn’t been good – he’s been nearly perfect, even closing on occasion when Jonathan Papelbon isn’t available. What separates Okajima is how he has responded to the bright lights. Many players arrive in Boston and immediately press – see Julio Lugo and J.D. Drew – but Okajima has allowed one earned run at Fenway Park this season. He’s been brutal on lefties and righties overall – .156 average against.
Have hit .225 with RISP since June 5.
AT ISSUE
ALL-STAR TEAM SHOULD BE ALL STARS
What: Is an all-star from every team really necessary?
What: The all-star selections were accompanied by the usual whinefest. Every season somebody inevitably gets hosed because of baseball’s rule that each team must have a representative.
Background: This was a wonderful idea in the early days of color TV, when seeing players from outside your hometown was a treat. Even getting a glimpse of different uniforms was cool. Now, you can watch every player on every team on your iPhone while saying your vows at your rehearsal.
Renck’s take: In truth, we know too much about the players now, which makes selecting pedestrian players from bad teams an insult to fans. The idea that kids are staying up in Pittsburgh to see Freddy Sanchez is ridiculous. Remember last season, when Kansas City’s Mark Redman was picked? This year, he’s not on any team, deemed unworthy of a rotation spot by 30 clubs. Tigers manager Jim Leyland defended the current system, saying: “I am one that believes every team and every uniform should be represented. If not, it could turn into a major-market-teams-only if we aren’t careful. We could end up with just Red Sox and New York Yankees in some areas.” His point would be accurate, but it doesn’t account for technology. While attendance helps players in the voting, the Internet levels the playing field. Besides, as fans have evolved, their ballots are much more a reflection of production than popularity.
