I hope somebody questions why LaRussa brought Lynn to intentionally walk ONE BATTER.

Or why Craig tried to steal

NA-PO-LI

Apparently he wanted Motte to get warm, but Lynn got up instead.

As was noted in the game chatter, if anybody ever wants to question Cardinals' fans' desires to see TLR gone, the stock answer henceforth will be "2011 World Series Game 5." He didn't cost the Cardinals the game by himself, but he certainly made things worse.

I want to know why no "baseball man" can give Mike Napoli any respect.

Or why Craig tried to steal

Twice.

Apparently he wanted Motte to get warm, but Lynn got up instead.

Is that really the reason? That can't be the reason. LaRussa would have acted strangely to seeing the wrong pitcher come trotting in from the bullpen. Maybe he did.

It was reported prior to the game that Lynn was unavailable because he had pitched 2 1/3 innings on Saturday. To still use him but only to buy Motte extra time is an all-time classic LaRussa but ingenious nevertheless.

Craig or Pujols missed a hit-and-run sign in the 7th.

In the 9th the Cardinals were trying to stay out of a double play. Two strikes on the best hitter over the last ten years facing a guy throwing 100, and La Russa's first thought is staying out of the double play. LOL.

As was noted in the game chatter, if anybody ever wants to question Cardinals' fans' desires to see TLR gone, the stock answer henceforth will be "2011 World Series Game 5." He didn't cost the Cardinals the game by himself, but he certainly made things worse.

I know it's small consolation right now, but considering where y'all were at, say, the end of August, the mere fact that the Cardinals were IN Game 5 of the World Series is a pretty big feather in TLR's cap, though. But yes, bringing in a guy to intentionally walk the only batter he faced could well be the lasting image of Tony LaRussa's managerial career.

It's house money, but there's no need to waste house money. Terribly managed game. All the runnners LOB were infuriating enough without all the usual TLR ########.

I know it's small consolation right now, but considering where y'all were at, say, the end of August

It's not small consolation to me. Post-2006 I laugh at nights like this, maybe because I also remember 1985.

Anyway, I'm not sure how much credit I would give to La Russa on that. Whatever the case, Tony La Russa has games where he's got no clue, and he has them at some really inopportune times.

Post-Game 2 Headline - "Albert Pujols lacks leadership"
Post-Game 5 Headline - "Albert Pujols assumes too much leadership"

The phrase "too clever by half" was invented for TLR, but doesn't quite capture nights like this. Too clever by one-tenth, maybe. That the Motte scenario "worked" will just bring out more "experts" convinced they saw the emperor's fine clothes. Argh, but whaddya gonna do?

As was noted in the game chatter, if anybody ever wants to question Cardinals' fans' desires to see TLR gone, the stock answer henceforth will be "2011 World Series Game 5." He didn't cost the Cardinals the game by himself, but he certainly made things worse.

It's not like using the ROIWGY backfired. And it still wasn't as peculiar as the bases empty IBB to Albert

Now the ninth-inning hit and run - that was just asinine.

This game was a perfect example of why we have to confine a certain ideology to Anaheim and not allow it to become national Scioscialism.

Some initial mixed signals on who called the Craig SB attempt in the 9th, based on the post-game interviews - Pujols or the bench. And the Lynn issue still being sort out.

Will be interesting for some to find out the reasons - but not the "post-game interviews are irrelvant" crowd on BBTF. Ignorance is bliss. Reporting is irrelevant. Why find out the details?

This was definitely a case where I was looking forward to the post-game interviews and where they were quite enlightening, apart from LaRussa's refusal to clarify what happened on the Craig CS in the 7th other than "it was a mix-up." I thought ESPN's coverage of the Scrabble/Lynn/Motte debacle was VERY good, in particular Tim Kurkjian's explanation of the hows and whys and consequences of what happened.

Apparently he wanted Motte to get warm, but Lynn got up instead.

Yes, Tim Kurkjian said there were problems with the bullpen phone. And you thought that thread wasn't relevant!

TLR has officially gone around the bend. Wait til you hear the press conference.

Tim Kurkjian said there were problems with the bullpen phone.

I blame the phone phreakers.

Are hitters usually able to call hit-and-runs? Or is that a special privilege awarded to Pujols?

Some initial mixed signals on who called the Craig SB attempt in the 9th, based on the post-game interviews - Pujols or the bench. And the Lynn issue still being sort out.
Will be interesting for some to find out the reasons - but not the "post-game interviews are irrelvant" crowd on BBTF. Ignorance is bliss. Reporting is irrelevant. Why find out the details?

Find out the details? Do you think post game interviews will reveal the truth? How can you discern BS you are fed from the truth?

It was reported prior to the game that Lynn was unavailable because he had pitched 2 1/3 innings on Saturday. To still use him but only to buy Motte extra time is an all-time classic LaRussa but ingenious nevertheless.

Lynn was unavailable but apparently warmed up instead of Motte due to a bullpen phone miscommunication.

As Ozzie Guillen said on the BBTN set, there is no way the Cards would make up something like "We got the wrong guy warmed up" so I'm inclined to take the story at face value. So yes, the post-game pressers were important to "finding out the details."

2 IBBs ordered by LaRussa.

4 IBBs ordered by Washington, including 3 of Pujols, including 1 of Pujols with a 1-1 count and bases empty. And with two elite hitters -- Holliday and Berkman -- up behind him. What is the advantage gained there? You're putting Pujols on to face two hitters who are almost as good (and who were every bit as good if not better this year)? That is crazy.

3 sac bunts by LaRussa.

Do these managers not understand that the idea is to keep runners OFF the bases on defense and to NOT make outs on offense?

I don't know what to make of the Lynn-Motte thing. I thought it was crazy for the LHP to face Napoli with the game on the line. And thought LaRussa didn't need to burn Lynn just to issue an IBB (why not use last night's starting pitcher to soft toss four balls in there?) Now apparently the wrong guy was warming up, which is perhaps even more bizarre.

(What was the playoff game a few years ago, where the third base coach said he yelled "No, no, no!" and the runner said he heard "Go, go, go!" and so he blew through the stop sign to get thrown out on a back-breaking play at home?)

Finally, the capper was Craig getting caught stealing not once, but twice with Pujols at the plate. (I thought Napoli sucked at catching and couldn't throw?) The 7th inning one, with McBuck speculating that Pujols put on the hit-and-run (Why would Pujols do this? Why would LaRussa let him do this?) was bizarre enough.

But then LaRusssa continually sending Craig on 3-2 in the 9th inning with Pujols up as the tying run (and Holliday and Berkman to follow) was the final step on the way to Funnyland. What does sending Craig buy you? You maybe avoid a force at second, maybe stay out of the double play. But the chance of Craig getting doubled up on a line drive offsets that. And the chance of Craig getting thrown out at second on a strikeout makes the decision insane. And Pujols almost looked like he was swinging at ball fours just to protect Craig, given the randomness of the strike zone.

Truly wild game.

Kurkjian also pointed out that you can't see the visitor bullpen from the visitor dugout at the Ballpark in Arlington. Throw in the fact that Lynn and Motte are both bearded guys who kind of look alike and the Cards had no idea what was actually going on.

It's not small consolation to me. Post-2006 I laugh at nights like this, maybe because I also remember 1985.

All you can do is laugh.

I certainly don't have the words to express how I feel about that game. Just trying to find the words would probably result in me staying up all night and re-enacting the intro scene of Apocalypse Now...

House money. Home field advantage. Put everything else out of your mind.

LaRussa's refusal to clarify what happened on the Craig CS in the 7th other than "it was a mix-up."

Just guessing that might indicate Pujols put on the play, since TLR would be extremely reluctant to point the finger at his star player at a time when retaining his services beyond this year is in some doubt.

Possibly, but I took it to mean either the 3B coach flashed the wrong sign or Craig mis-read the sign.

Finally, the capper was Craig getting caught stealing not once, but twice with Pujols at the plate. (I thought Napoli sucked at catching and couldn't throw?) The 7th inning one, with McBuck speculating that Pujols put on the hit-and-run (Why would Pujols do this? Why would LaRussa let him do this?) was bizarre enough.

But then LaRusssa continually sending Craig on 3-2 in the 9th inning with Pujols up as the tying run (and Holliday and Berkman to follow) was the final step on the way to Funnyland. What does sending Craig buy you? You maybe avoid a force at second, maybe stay out of the double play. But the chance of Craig getting doubled up on a line drive offsets that. And the chance of Craig getting thrown out at second on a strikeout makes the decision insane. And Pujols almost looked like he was swinging at ball fours just to protect Craig, given the randomness of the strike zone.

Truly wild game.

If you read this in James Mason's voice, it is truly exquisite.

It's not like using the ROIWGY backfired. And it still wasn't as peculiar as the bases empty IBB to Albert

The IBB was merely goofy, although it doesn't speak well of the Cardinals that the bullpen coach apparently didn't know that Lance Lynn was unavailable tonight. Ultimately they walked Cruz so they could face Napoli, which is peculiar in a bad way.

Some initial mixed signals on who called the Craig SB attempt in the 9th, based on the post-game interviews

This is baloney. Craig was running on the two previous pitches.

Are hitters usually able to call hit-and-runs? Or is that a special privilege awarded to Pujols?

I don't understand why hitters would be allowed to do this. What is the thinking behind the manager allowing them that power? I can see, say, the manager giving a good base stealer the perpetual green light, but what is the comparison to a hitter being allowed to call hit-and-run? Why not have the first baseman make pitching changes, while he's at it?

Will be interesting for some to find out the reasons - but not the "post-game interviews are irrelvant" crowd on BBTF. Ignorance is bliss. Reporting is irrelevant. Why find out the details?

What that crowd actually said was that demanding that a player "stand up and be accountable when he screws up" is silly. Not that it was silly to ask him what he was thinking on a particular play.

Why not have the first baseman make pitching changes, while he's at it?

Keith Hernandez used to call pitches!

Seriously, #### Game 5.

As Ozzie Guillen said on the BBTN set, there is no way the Cards would make up something like "We got the wrong guy warmed up" so I'm inclined to take the story at face value. So yes, the post-game pressers were important to "finding out the details."

“To talk to Motte, you’ve got to talk to 30 different coaches, and then to the bullpen catcher, who talks to Arthur Rhodes. Arthur calls Octavio, Octavio say he’s with Marc, Marc say he’s with Lance.”

Just guessing that might indicate Pujols put on the play, since TLR would be extremely reluctant to point the finger at his star player at a time when retaining his services beyond this year is in some doubt.

If Pujols put on the play, then why didn't he swing? It's not optional with the hit-and-run (unless the count is full Albert - you can take that one).

Craig: has stolen 5 of 6 bases in the majors. 14 of 18 in the minors.

Still made zero sense for him to go. And after LaRusssa "spoke to him" after the first CS, to find the two of them (or three, if we include Pujols) up to the same nonsense in the 9th, this time with everything on the line, was hilarious.

I don't like the hit-and-run on 3-2 with less than two out when the run actually MEANS something. When the run means nothing it is truly unfathomable.

Is it just me or have IBBs exploded this year? Managers seem to be using them all the time (and it pisses me off almost all the time).

although it doesn't speak well of the Cardinals that the bullpen coach apparently didn't know that Lance Lynn was unavailable tonight. Ultimately they walked Cruz so they could face Napoli, which is peculiar in a bad way.

If Tony LaRussa tells you to warm a guy up in a World Series game, you warm him the #### up. What kind of bullpen coach is gonna say "Nope, can't do it Tony, Lynn is off today"?

Now, whether LaRussa ever asked for Lynn to warm up is an open question, but if I hear my manager tell me to warm a guy up... I warm him up.

If Tony LaRussa tells you to warm a guy up in a World Series game, you warm him the #### up. What kind of bullpen coach is gonna say "Nope, can't do it Tony, Lynn is off today."?

What kind of a bullpen coach DOESN'T say, "Um, Tony, didn't we agree Lynn was off today? Just want to make sure I understand who you want up."

I don't like the hit-and-run on 3-2 with less than two out when the run actually MEANS something. When the run means nothing it is truly unfathomable.

Plus a high strikeout but strike-zone challenged pitcher (at least this series), who deftly managed to do both on the same pitch.

If Tony LaRussa tells you to warm a guy up in a World Series game, you warm him the #### up. What kind of bullpen coach is gonna say "Nope, can't do it Tony, Lynn is off today."?

I would repeat back "Lance Lynn? Do you mean Motte, because earlier you said Lynn wasn't available." It's not that difficult.

EDIT: RC to Ray. Never saw his post.

Tie game, 8th inning, runners on, World Series tied 2-2, it really should be obvious who gets the call there anyway.

Kurkjian also pointed out that you can't see the visitor bullpen from the visitor dugout at the Ballpark in Arlington.

Not the first ballpark to include such a feature. pretty hilarious story.

sucky bullpens

If Tony LaRussa tells you to warm a guy up in a World Series game, you warm him the #### up. What kind of bullpen coach is gonna say "Nope, can't do it Tony, Lynn is off today."?

There is something in between "whatever you say" and "no ####### way".

Why wasn't Lynn in the clubhouse eating chicken and drinking beer?

I seriously wonder what Mike Scioscia is thinking right now, after seeing the game Napoli had, after seeing the postseason Napoli has had, after seeing the season Napoli has had. Can he seriously still believe that Jeff Mathis is better.

Maybe he's just thinking "See? 8th place hitter."

I suppose if he couldn't see who the better player was last year, he'll still have the blinders on this year.

Why wasn't Lynn in the clubhouse eating chicken and drinking beer?

Because Joe Torre is now on the case.

Seriously, if he was in the clubhouse they'd have been better off. So Lester and Beckett and Lackey WERE helping the team!

What kind of a bullpen coach DOESN'T say, "Um, Tony, didn't we agree Lynn was off today? Just want to make sure I understand who you want up."

Maybe in the regular season. Maybe.

In the post-season? No way. You warm up who TLR tells you to warm up. Tony said this himself in the postgame presser, you warm up who the manager tells you to warm up. I'm pretty sure this would be the case with any team. You don't have time during a World Series game to be asking your manager if he is sure about a decision he just made. Plus, the bullpen coach is about as far down on coaching staff's decision making chain as it gets.
Hell, the Rangers had Matt Harrison throwing down there tonight! Do you think the Rangers bullpen coached asked Washington, "Say, are you sure you want me to tell Harrison to throw? I thought you said you were going to pitch him in Game Seven?"

Now, should the bullpen coach have asked "Did you say 'Motte' or 'Lynn'? I couldn't really hear you." Yeah, that would have been a good question

(What was the playoff game a few years ago, where the third base coach said he yelled "No, no, no!" and the runner said he heard "Go, go, go!" and so he blew through the stop sign to get thrown out on a back-breaking play at home?)

That was Don Zimmer's CYA story after he got Doyle thrown out on a short fly to LF in the 1975 WS.
I don't believe him: you hold runners by putting your arms up, not by yelling, and if you look at the DVD Zimmer's arms are down & he's just watching the play.

Oh, and since we're questioning manager strategies... I know it's a night too late, but my Awesome GF is still mad about Washington lifting Holland in the 9th last night. When Wash went to the mound, GF went into Full Lasorda Meltdown: "WHY THE #### ISN'T HE LETTING THAT KID FINISH THE ####### GAME? I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS ############ ####." She's not a particular fan of either team, or even of baseball particularly, but it was about as impressive a display of sports-related profanity as I've ever witnessed.

47 comments and no mention of how TLR sends Nick Effing Punto up there with runners in scoring position in key situations time after time after effing time?

The baseball gods really wants to rub it in for the Angels.