amag
03-03-2002, 01:33 PM
Here's an article from ESPN.com..
JUPITER, Fla. -- Tony La Russa sweats the small stuff too much to take anything for granted, including those eye-popping sunrises over the nearby Atlantic Ocean. He's not about to worry about October until some time late in the evening of September 30.
The reality, however, is that playoff trips have become commonplace for La Russa in St. Louis -- three in his six years with the Cardinals, including the last two in a row. He can't say the same about the World Series, last having been there with Oakland in 1990. But La Russa, always cautious, is feeling good about his chances this year.
"I will say this softly and I will qualify it," La Russa said. "But I think we have potentially more plusses than we've had and potentially less minuses."
OK, Mike Tyson probably wouldn't put it the same way. But for the calculating, cautious La Russa this is quite a pronouncement in any spring. It is worth a screaming headline when it's put in the context of a spring training without the greatest hitter La Russa has ever coached, Mark McGwire.
You would think McGwire's retirement would be a bad thing. But La Russa and Cardinal Nation seem to have turned the page smoothly.
Winning without Big Mac is not a new challenge, after all. The Cardinals have essentially done that the last two years, tying Houston for the National League Central title last year and winning it in 2000, both times with McGwire badly limited by knee injuries.
Because of McGwire's larger-than-life presence, his health hung over everything in St. Louis. La Russa almost seems relieved that he decided to walk away at age 38.
"It was hard to enjoy competing the last couple of years," La Russa said. "Even some of the success we had was hard on (McGwire) because he hated not to be a part of it."
It was painful watching the first man to hit 70 homers in a single season struggle, especially last season. Unable to use his lower body to its maximum, he struggled to put the ball in play. He averaged one homer every 7.2 at-bats -- almost as good as the record-setting Barry Bonds -- but his batting average shriveled to a career-worst .187.
"The thing I kept telling him was not to worry about the batting average, because he was productive," La Russa said. "And he was clutch. But all he could look at was the batting average."
For the Cardinals, a wonderful thing happened in McGwire's absence last season. Albert Pujols, who had opened the 2000 season at Class A, started hitting in spring training and didn't stop until Curt Schilling ended the Cardinals' season in the first round of the playoffs.
Pujols, now 22, replaced McGwire in the middle of the order. He was a unanimous Rookie of the Year pick after hitting .329 with 37 homers and 130 RBI. Along with Jim Edmonds and J.D. Drew, he helped St. Louis score 814 runs, fourth-most in the NL.
After the Yankees set their eye on free agent first baseman Jason Giambi, Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty committed $21 million over three years to sign the 34-year-old Tino Martinez, who won four World Series rings in his six-year stay in New York.
During that run, Martinez averaged 29 homers and 115 RBI. No wonder La Russa feels better about his lineup than he ever did when it was built around Big Mac.
"I didn't know about Albert Pujols last year," La Russa said. "I know about Martinez. ... Signing Tino is a significant move for us. This guy is strong mentally. He took over for Don Mattingly in New York. How much tougher is it to follow Mark?"
Not so long ago, the Cardinals were counting on young lefty Rick Ankiel to become the most dominant pitcher on their staff. But a lot has happened since Ankiel imploded in the postseason two years ago.
Jocketty and pitching coach Dave Duncan have quietly built the deepest pitching staff in the NL. Only Atlanta and Arizona allowed fewer runs in the NL than St. Louis in 2001.
Patience paid off with Matt Morris, who rebounded from Tommy John surgery to win 22 games. Woody Williams was almost unbeatable after arriving in a trade from San Diego. They join Darryl Kile (behind this spring after having his shoulder scoped in the offseason), Andy Benes and lefty Bud Smith, who threw a no-hitter as a rookie, to form the likely starting rotation.
Garrett Stephenson, the University of Illinois' Jim Journell and Ankiel are in reserve. La Russa and Duncan are quietly optimistic about Ankiel, who has been in control during early workouts. His test will come under fire in exhibition games.
"I don't feel like I have to prove myself," said Ankiel "I just have to be myself and I'll be all right."
There's little doubt about the Cardinals' bullpen. Jocketty signed Oakland closer Jason Isringhausen to take the load off lefty Steve Kline, who had a 1.80 ERA over a majors-leading 89 appearances. With righty relievers Gene Stechschulte and Luther Hackman having gained La Russa's trust, Jocketty might deal Dave Veres or Mike Timlin in spring training, bringing the payroll close to $70 million.
La Russa knows how quick things can change. He held his breath when Drew stepped in a hole in the outfield five minutes after he stepped on the field for the first time this spring. But X-rays were negative, which is not the worst way to begin preparation for what could be a great season.
With the Cubs having added Moises Alou and the Astros not having subtracted Jeff Bagwell or Craig Biggio, La Russa knows it could take 95-plus victories to win the NL Central title. But he clearly likes his chances.
"There are several good clubs in the Central," La Russa said. "We are going to have real good competition, which is the way it's supposed to be."
La Russa hopes to get the last laugh on one of his best buddies, Cubs bench coach Rene Lachemann. They've been friends forever, so La Russa ought to know when Lachemann is kidding.
But he says his former lieutenant seemed serious when their paths crossed at a recent charity event in Phoenix. Lachemann told La Russa that this is the Cubs' year to win the Central.
"I don't even know why we're here," La Russa joked. "Lach told me that we're playing for second place. Well, maybe we can get a wild card since the Cubs are so sure they're winning it."
There was a twinkle in La Russa's brown eyes. McGwire's gone, but the Cardinals might be better than they ever were with him.
Phil Rogers is the national baseball writer for the Chicago Tribune, which has a web site at www.chicagosports.com.
JUPITER, Fla. -- Tony La Russa sweats the small stuff too much to take anything for granted, including those eye-popping sunrises over the nearby Atlantic Ocean. He's not about to worry about October until some time late in the evening of September 30.
The reality, however, is that playoff trips have become commonplace for La Russa in St. Louis -- three in his six years with the Cardinals, including the last two in a row. He can't say the same about the World Series, last having been there with Oakland in 1990. But La Russa, always cautious, is feeling good about his chances this year.
"I will say this softly and I will qualify it," La Russa said. "But I think we have potentially more plusses than we've had and potentially less minuses."
OK, Mike Tyson probably wouldn't put it the same way. But for the calculating, cautious La Russa this is quite a pronouncement in any spring. It is worth a screaming headline when it's put in the context of a spring training without the greatest hitter La Russa has ever coached, Mark McGwire.
You would think McGwire's retirement would be a bad thing. But La Russa and Cardinal Nation seem to have turned the page smoothly.
Winning without Big Mac is not a new challenge, after all. The Cardinals have essentially done that the last two years, tying Houston for the National League Central title last year and winning it in 2000, both times with McGwire badly limited by knee injuries.
Because of McGwire's larger-than-life presence, his health hung over everything in St. Louis. La Russa almost seems relieved that he decided to walk away at age 38.
"It was hard to enjoy competing the last couple of years," La Russa said. "Even some of the success we had was hard on (McGwire) because he hated not to be a part of it."
It was painful watching the first man to hit 70 homers in a single season struggle, especially last season. Unable to use his lower body to its maximum, he struggled to put the ball in play. He averaged one homer every 7.2 at-bats -- almost as good as the record-setting Barry Bonds -- but his batting average shriveled to a career-worst .187.
"The thing I kept telling him was not to worry about the batting average, because he was productive," La Russa said. "And he was clutch. But all he could look at was the batting average."
For the Cardinals, a wonderful thing happened in McGwire's absence last season. Albert Pujols, who had opened the 2000 season at Class A, started hitting in spring training and didn't stop until Curt Schilling ended the Cardinals' season in the first round of the playoffs.
Pujols, now 22, replaced McGwire in the middle of the order. He was a unanimous Rookie of the Year pick after hitting .329 with 37 homers and 130 RBI. Along with Jim Edmonds and J.D. Drew, he helped St. Louis score 814 runs, fourth-most in the NL.
After the Yankees set their eye on free agent first baseman Jason Giambi, Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty committed $21 million over three years to sign the 34-year-old Tino Martinez, who won four World Series rings in his six-year stay in New York.
During that run, Martinez averaged 29 homers and 115 RBI. No wonder La Russa feels better about his lineup than he ever did when it was built around Big Mac.
"I didn't know about Albert Pujols last year," La Russa said. "I know about Martinez. ... Signing Tino is a significant move for us. This guy is strong mentally. He took over for Don Mattingly in New York. How much tougher is it to follow Mark?"
Not so long ago, the Cardinals were counting on young lefty Rick Ankiel to become the most dominant pitcher on their staff. But a lot has happened since Ankiel imploded in the postseason two years ago.
Jocketty and pitching coach Dave Duncan have quietly built the deepest pitching staff in the NL. Only Atlanta and Arizona allowed fewer runs in the NL than St. Louis in 2001.
Patience paid off with Matt Morris, who rebounded from Tommy John surgery to win 22 games. Woody Williams was almost unbeatable after arriving in a trade from San Diego. They join Darryl Kile (behind this spring after having his shoulder scoped in the offseason), Andy Benes and lefty Bud Smith, who threw a no-hitter as a rookie, to form the likely starting rotation.
Garrett Stephenson, the University of Illinois' Jim Journell and Ankiel are in reserve. La Russa and Duncan are quietly optimistic about Ankiel, who has been in control during early workouts. His test will come under fire in exhibition games.
"I don't feel like I have to prove myself," said Ankiel "I just have to be myself and I'll be all right."
There's little doubt about the Cardinals' bullpen. Jocketty signed Oakland closer Jason Isringhausen to take the load off lefty Steve Kline, who had a 1.80 ERA over a majors-leading 89 appearances. With righty relievers Gene Stechschulte and Luther Hackman having gained La Russa's trust, Jocketty might deal Dave Veres or Mike Timlin in spring training, bringing the payroll close to $70 million.
La Russa knows how quick things can change. He held his breath when Drew stepped in a hole in the outfield five minutes after he stepped on the field for the first time this spring. But X-rays were negative, which is not the worst way to begin preparation for what could be a great season.
With the Cubs having added Moises Alou and the Astros not having subtracted Jeff Bagwell or Craig Biggio, La Russa knows it could take 95-plus victories to win the NL Central title. But he clearly likes his chances.
"There are several good clubs in the Central," La Russa said. "We are going to have real good competition, which is the way it's supposed to be."
La Russa hopes to get the last laugh on one of his best buddies, Cubs bench coach Rene Lachemann. They've been friends forever, so La Russa ought to know when Lachemann is kidding.
But he says his former lieutenant seemed serious when their paths crossed at a recent charity event in Phoenix. Lachemann told La Russa that this is the Cubs' year to win the Central.
"I don't even know why we're here," La Russa joked. "Lach told me that we're playing for second place. Well, maybe we can get a wild card since the Cubs are so sure they're winning it."
There was a twinkle in La Russa's brown eyes. McGwire's gone, but the Cardinals might be better than they ever were with him.
Phil Rogers is the national baseball writer for the Chicago Tribune, which has a web site at www.chicagosports.com.