You have to love Tony La Russa, if only because he mostly does whatever the hell he wants. Granted, he can be a little sensitive if anyone dares to question his judgement. But he still does it, tonight’s lineup being a perfect example. From Rick Hummel (via stltoday.com):
After Nine Years, Albert Pujols Returns To Third Base
Tony La Russa is back as Cardinals manager tonight and he already has changed his mind for the first time.
Originally, La Russa had Allen Craig, normally an outfielder, stationed at second base. Craig had started on Thursday there in Chicago.
But, La Russa, feeling his defense would be better if Nick Punto moved from third base to second and Craig to the outfield, now has moved Gold Glove first baseman Albert Pujols to third base, where he will start for the first time since perhaps 2003.
Actually, Hummel’s a year off. According to Baseball-Reference.com, Pujols hasn’t started a game at third base since 2002: precisely, the 23rd of September, when he played eight error-free innings. Subsequently, Pujols didn’t play a single frame at third base until earlier this season, when late-inning changes on May 1 got him back to third for the last four outs of the game.
Starting at third base, though? After almost nine years? This is what makes Tony La Russa Tony La Russa. While he does enjoy turning outfielders into second basemen, that can work only so often and it didn't work with Allen Craig. Nor should it have been expected to work. If Pujols can handle third base defensively, this move probably does make the Cardinals better until David Freese returns from the Disabled List. And with Freese probably out until sometime in July, this could get mighty interesting.
For more about Pujols and the Cardinals, please visit Viva El Birdos.
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