Since I DO have a law degree (and my own practice in Manhattan), permit me to give my two cents.

If I have a choice between Aaron Rowand and Albert Pujols to take a possible final at-bat to win the game (and prevent extra innings), I'm going with Albert Pujols. As much as I love Rowand (Phillies fan, born and raised), I'm also believing that I'd rather see the best player in my league (and on that team last night) take that plate appearance.

It was silly to not have Pujols appear once.

Did a lawyer really just use the word "silly"...does that hold up in court?

Pete, we were seriously disappointed with Tony L's decision last night. As things shook out in the 9th we expected to see Pujols even if Rowand's spot came on deck. It was picture perfect--Pujols in the 9th, men on base, a one run game, the home team--all the ingredients were there. What the hell was LaRussa doing? He states the possible need for Pujols if extra innings arrived. But, his decision didn't look like it was the best attempt to achieve those extra innings.
It was a great game, but we thought LaRussa made one of the biggest blunders in MLB All-Star history. I think most fans felt cheated. We did.

Son of Papi, I agree! I think the word preposterous would have been the term my lawyer would have used. I would have just used the term dumb*** (synonym for half mule/half donkey) :-)

I thought it was Kent Hrbek with the famous "if I aint startin, I aint departin" quote!

"If I wasn't expecting to play, I wouldn't have come up here."

Who does Poo-Holes think he is - Roger Clemens?

I just talked with LaRussa's lawyer, Jackie Childs, who said he spoke with LaRussa after the game last night to find out why Pujols wasn't at the plate at the end of the game and LaRussa told him he was following the advice of his caddy.

Why does LaRussa always get labeled genius when he lost two out of three world series with the most talented team of the last twenty years, the 1988-90 Oakland A's. Bobby Cox is always saddled with "only" winning one series with the Braves, but until last year he and LaRussa had the same number of rings, one.

While preposterous would be a good word, silly speaks more in layman's terms and is easier for a jury to understand. It is obvious that Mr. Verna is a trial lawyer and does not spend his time writing legal briefs in which $50 words are more prevelant.

As to the aforementioned LaRussa, he did this to spite Sweet Lou. Lou is taking the Cubs to the Series and LaRussa still holds a grudge over that whole 1990 debacle. I mean letting Jose Rijo win two games, please.

Here's another question. Why was Mets PR man Jay Horowitz (a familiar face to any dedicated Mets fan) in the NL dugout during the ninth inning? (He was clearly visible after Soriano returned to the dugout after hitting the home run.) Was LaRussa going to have JHo suit up in the event of extra innings?

The bottom line is that if the game is on the line, you don't trust a player who looks like K-Fed (Rowand) over a former league MVP.

And I say that as a Phillies fan. 10,000th loss, here we come!

People don't "roll" anymore...well, I guess people who are 3-5 years behind the times do.

Ryan,

Sadly, that's *precisely* how I roll.
--Pete

I noticed Jay Horowitz (and his perpetually runny nose look) in the NL dugout too during the 9th inning.

Anyone notice that after Wille Mays signed the ball from the 1st pitch with a Sharpie he pulled out of his own pocket and handed the ball to Jose Reyes, Reyes absconded with the Sharpie.

I too have a law degree and I'm actually a judge.
I would've put in Pujols earlier. Why would you not give this guy as much playing time as you can with his ability? That's my judgement. No appeals will be allowed. Both sides to bear their own costs.

I'm not a lawyer or a judge, so correct me if I'm wrong...but if Tony was 'saving' Pujols to be his utility player in extra innings (which they never even got to), couldn't of Albert entered the game to hit (whether it be in the 9th or sooner) & switched positions later as needed?

Hey shouldn't a judge spell 'judgment' correctly?

You can be sure that if LaRussa and the Cards had a chance to make the playoffs and get into the World Series this year, he would have rolled the bones and put Pujols up there in place of Rowand.

Holy Moly, was Anon 4:44 serious about the correct spelling "judgment"?

Gotta love it.

What can you say...it was clearly a Cardinal sin.

anon 4:44, apparently I'm not a particularly smart judge.

All I can say is....what a great All Star Game? Bonds didn't deserver to even be on the team....and Pujols gets no playing time. Wow, that is unbelievable.