Pujols delivers
September 27th, 2006
A three-run shot in the bottom of the eighth to give the Cardinals a 4-2 lead over San Diego. What a blast. Let’s see if it holds up.
But it raises a question I was thinking about as Pujols came to the plate — why do opposing teams insist on pitching to Pujols in these kinds of situations? Dan McLaughlin said the same thing I was thinking — the Padres had third base open, and it might behoove them to pitch around Pujols. The Mad Hungarian said the Padres would go after him, however, and noted that right-handers are hitting only .103 off Padres pitcher Cla Meredith.
This is not just any right-handed hitter, however. It’s Albert Pujols. Maybe we need to spell that out for San Diego manager Bruce Bochy — A-L-B-E-R-T-P-U-J-O-L-S. In other words, the best player in the game today, and one of the greatest ever.
I’m glad Bruce Bochy decided to pitch to him, but that’s an incredibly dumb decision, and I can’t believe Major League managers continue to allow Pujols to beat them. The ONLY decision in that situation, with men on first and second and up by a run late in the game — is to put Pujols on base. I don’t care if first base isn’t open. Big stinking deal. Don’t give the man anything to hit, or he’s going to do exactly what he did — slam a three-run homer.
I just like saying Albert POO-HOLES
Personally, I feel the intentional walk (or if you like, the Barry Bonds effect) is overused. I am also sick of hearing about intentional walks. The purpose of a pitcher is to PITCH to hitters. A hitter’s job is to HIT. If your pitcher is not good enough to get the hitter out, too bad. Besides, it’s a long season. It all evens out (to quote Seinfeld).
The story of the intentional walk to get to the cancer patient was the last straw, to me. If I were supreme dictator of baseball (a la Allan H. “Larry Bud” Selig) I would restrict the use of the intentional walk to 3 times a game, per team, and the same player cannot be intentionally walked more than ONCE per game. If Pujols or Howard beats you, then so be it.
That was awesome!!! And Rolen getting a clutch hit was great. Boy was he due!
I think Bochy had confidence pitching to Pujols because of Meredith’s dominance lately and the fact that he has already struck out Pujols this series.
Thanks, Paul L.!
I needed that today!
I laughed out loud!
Uncle Albert thwarts the ’stros even when he’s not playing against them…
A dominant pitcher would have mnade sure he faced Pujols with three empty bases
Headline in today’s paper: “POO-HOLES squeezed the Cards out of a major skid”
What’s with your fascination with “poo-holes”?
Hee hee. Ha ha.
Moving on……………………..
If there is any doubt of who the MVP was before last night, it would surely have to be gone.
Sorry grumpy I must have struck a nerve deep down in your…oh nevermind. I would tell you to loosen-up but you would probably take that the wrong way too.
Funny thing is, I find I need to loosen up today………in any way you meant it.
If the Cards don’t make the playoffs and the Phillies do, then Ryan Howard is the MVP. Regardless of anyone’s opinion (mine included), as someone who is not attached to either team, I just think that’s just the way it will go.
Did someone say something about giving up a 3-run dinger to Pujols… with a base open?
MVP! MVP! MVP!