LaRussa wanted Bonds
Tony LaRussa, in my opinion, may be one of the most intelligent men in baseball. Until I read Men at Work by George Will, I thought managers were nothing more than washed up players who's baseball cards were usually the first ones to end up in the spokes of my Huffy. After reading that book, which followed LaRussa through his daily rigors, I had a new found respect for him and the work managers did. However, an article I read on MLB.com today changed my mind about this man's intelligence. He's not in GW's ballpark yet, but it's in that territory.

"What I've said each of the last two years is that when you're looking for somebody dangerous to hit behind Albert [Pujols], Barry was a guy that I thought," La Russa said.
"And for whatever reason, at the general manager or ownership level, they didn't agree that he would be a guy that they thought we should add. I understand. Organization chart -- they're my bosses. That's exactly what happened."

Now I'm not arguing with his logic. I personally don't think a 45 year old with bad knees, bad attitude and pending federal confinement is the best addition to a team, but LaRussa's right, he probably would give Pujols some protection in the lineup. What I find amazing is that LaRussa is somehow flumoxed that Cards management wouldn't want to sign this pariah to a contract. LaRussa, have you been so busy with community service after your DUI that you failed to notice Bonds is considered public enemy number one? OK, maybe that's Clemens now, but still?

Considering the allegations that LaRussa knew McGwire was juicing and chose not to take any action, he has shown me that he's less about winning through intelligence and more about winning at all costs. He is no different than many Director Sportiff's in the professional cycling world that could care less about the details of how they win, as long as they win. What LaRussa doesn't realize is that if everything I've heard about the St. Louis fans is true, they would rather win with honor, than by signing Barry Bonds. I have a feeling they already feel a little humiliated thanks to McGwire. LaRussa really doesn't get it and needs to retire.