Will The Real Slim LaRussa Please Stand Up?

I would imagine that Tony LaRussa is not big on Eminem, but here we go, anyway: What happened to the real Tony LaRussa?

Earlier in the season, I faulted TLR, with rather colorful language, for his dreadful mismangement of the starting pitching on the June 22nd tilt against the Scrubs. If you remember, Marquis was pitching a gem of a game, but the guy had no business pitching into the 8th inning, up over 100 pitches. He had already showed signs of weakening in earlier frames.

Flaw number one of typical TLR style: overriding common sense and overmanaging. Instead of just facing up to the reality of the situation -- your starter was tiring and needed to be replaced -- Tony let Marquis remain in the game, sent him on up to the mound to put on his butler suit, and enter the dining room to set the table for the Cubs to go ahead and win an important game.

Considering the Cards possessed a well-rested bullpen, it was obvious what would happen when you toy with fate and logic, for God only knows what reason (Marquis' pride? TLR's ego?) -- the Birds would lose.

And when that grim fate came to pass, I was convinced LaRussa would squander a solid bullpen and exceptional lineup by often overmanaging the team throughout the 2004 campaign. And, much to my surprise, it really hasn't turned out that way. The real LaRussa, or at least what we've seen of him since 1996, hasn't stood up.

Last night's game is a perfect example of how to manage a starting pitcher, just on the smell test alone. Suppan was dealing a two-hitter to the World Series Champion Marlins, grappling with their ace Pavano and coming away the better dealer. He had thrown 99 pitches going into the ninth, and showed no signs, particularly, of losing his control.

Meekly, Marlins' leadoff extraordinare Juan Pierre stunted a hit up the first base line to open the frame, and used his speed to get on-board. It was one of those plays that doesn't exactly quiver the red heart of a Cardinal fan. But the sensible and cautious -- we'll go as far as to say the common sense thing to do -- would be to utilize your stable of strong relief pitchers and allow them the opportunity to close the deal.

Tony LaRussa proceeded to do the sensible and cautious thing. I never thought I'd see the day.