LaRussa and the Cardinals are Bitches

Well, Tony LaRussa and the St. Louis Cardinals are all bitches. At least thats what Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips thinks and said. He actually told that to the reporters of the St. Louis Dispatch.

From the St. Louis Dispatch:
“I’d play against these guys with one leg,” Phillips insisted before the game. “We have to beat these guys. … All they do is bitch and moan about everything, all of them, they’re little bitches, all of ‘em.”

He also was quoted as saying, “I really hate the Cardinals. Compared to the Cardinals, I love the Chicago Cubs. Let me make this clear: I hate the Cardinals.”

Phillips apparently made these comments before the drubbing the Cards put on the hometown Reds. After the game Tony LaRussa responded more than once. And, once when he was naked or at least wrapped in a towel.

From the St. Louis Dispatch:
“We win the right way; we lose the right way,” the skipper said. “Over the years we’ve done both those things. If we get beat, we tip our caps. If we win, we don’t get arrogant and show anybody up.” “I don’t think that will go over well in his clubhouse,” La Russa said. “Phillips is ripping his [own] teammates. (Scott) Rolen, (Jim) Edmonds, (Miguel) Cairo, (Russ) Springer, all of the ex-Cardinals over there.

“He isn’t talking about this year. He’s talking about the way we’ve always played. And those guys are old Cardinals. Tell him he’s ripping his own teammates, because they were all Cardinals.”

I am sure that Brandon’s comments were directed at the Cards manager Tony LaRussa. Everyone knows that he is a jerk. He is a pompous but effective manager. His own teammates don’t even like him. He likes to think he invented baseball and invented hitting his pitcher eighth instead of ninth. He overthinks the game.

I just hope Brandon didn’t put his foot in his mouth. I like to think that Brandon was trying to light a fire under the asses of the Reds or just give a spark or some sort of swagger. Look, Joey Votto hates the Cubs and Brandon Phillips hates the Cardinals. I hate them both. And, I agree with Brandon Phillips, Tony LaRussa is a bitch. Ask him about why his whole Oakland Athletic team had syringes hanging out of their arms back on the 90′s.

Tags: Albert Pujols, Brandon Phillips, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Joey Votto, Scott Rolen, St Louis Cardinals, Tony LaRussa

Steve Engbloom

Baseball Fan, please correct me if I'm wrong here. Were you thinking that the post's author and I are the same person? I believe that may be the case since you address both the author and my comment within your comment.

I will address the two issues from my comment in which you and I may forever disagree on - trash talk and LaRussa. Well, we will forever disagree on.

First of all, my remark about how trash talk has changed was not meant to be a defense or an excuse for Phillips or any other athlete that goes overboard with his/her comments. Maybe by including the "but" led you astray from my intentions. As I stated, I do not condone BP's language use. I do firmly believe the landscape of trash talk has changed and I also believe it's not for the better. My last point there is something in which we can both agree on per your statement of it being hateful.

I also believe that trash talk has evolved more into a form of gamesmanship. If your statement doesn't carry any shock value, then what's the point in saying anything at all? That's just my take.

In regards to Tony LaRussa, just as you know people that know and respect LaRussa, I know people that reside on the opposite side of the fence. Any person will also have detractors.

One last thing on LaRussa. Where did I say that I didn't respect LaRussa? I cannot see how you that read into my comment. I said the perception of LaRussa is different. Nowhere was respect, or lack thereof, ever referenced in my comment.

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Baseball Fan

I just don't understand why it all has to sound so hateful. I have no problem with trash talk, but this guy said some things that were inappropriate for an adult who is a role model and professional athlete, and your defense that trash talk has changed dramatically over the years is a bogus and stretching excuse.

Furthermore, I think the reason you don't see it as a big deal is because your article ends with a lot of anger. EVERYONE is entitled to opinions. Everyone is entitled to state them, but there are more diplomatic ways of making your point. I had no problem with your article until you behaved in the same manner as Phillips did by name calling. It just belittles you.

I would also like to add that I've lived in quite a few cities across the country for school and work. I love baseball, so you know I went to games wherever I was. There are a lot of people from a lot of places who know LaRussa and do respect him even if you don't which you have made abundantly and somewhat immaturely clear.

Farmgirl, do not think that I'm downplaying what you're saying because I also write here and I am a devoted Reds fan, but there are a couple of things that you said that piqued a bit of interest.

I do agree that Phillips referring to the Cards as "bitches" was wrong, but he did not backtrack on his statement. You have to give him an ounce of credit there. If he had just said "I hate the Cardinals" and leave it at that, so much less is made of it.

But the landscape in sports has changed so dramatically in the area of "trash talk".

Now, I highly doubt that Rolen looks at his years in St. Louis the same way as Cairo, Springer and Edmonds do. LaRussa was deemed the primary reason Rolen is not a Cardinal today.

I also find it hard to believe that respect is the only reason players want to be a Cardinal. Success does play a role, too. I'm also sure if you ask Derek Jeter, he will say he'd rather be a Yankee than a Cardinal. I realize that may be a little extreme, but I hope you see my point here.

You're obviously a Cards fan and you're sticking up for your manager, but LaRussa is not perceived in other cities as he is in St. Louis.

farmgirl

I would just like to correct this man. Tony LaRussa is not a "bitch", he is not a "jerk", and how in the heck do you know that his entire team hates him?! I have NEVER had a problem with the Reds, EVER! I would never say that they are "whiny bitches". I strongly dislike the Cubs but I would NEVER say anything like that about them either. What Phillips said was completely unprofessional. Had he been working at any regular establishment, whether it be an office, restaurant, retail, etc. his ass would have been fired had he made a comment about his boss and/or co-workers like that (ie: Walt Jocketty). And yes, Scott Rolen, Russ Springer, Jimmy Edmonds, Miguel Cairo... you could ask any of them and I can guarantee that they would tell you the time they spent with the Cardinals was the best of their career. You ask any baseball player (besides Phillips who is obviously 1) jealous because the Cardinals are consistent season after season or 2) pissed off that we may keep them from a division title) and they will tell you that they want to be a Cardinal. Not because of the success but because of the respect they get from their teammates and from the fans. You think what you would like to think, Tony LaRussa is a great manager and the Cardinals are a great organization. While the Reds fans may hold a grudge with this whole ordeal and continuously boo the Cardinals, I'm sure the Cardinals being the bigger organization with lift their heads and continue to play the same game they've always played.