2003 LaRussa-Batista snit redux

[AZZenny]

There is a book exerpted in this weeks SI which discusses retaliation by pitchers and highlights LaRussa's approach. Makes him sound like this rational, caring, conscientious guy who thoughtfully protects his players but would NEVER overstep against another team or player.

It gives a 'version' of the game where Miggy plunked Tino Martinez, then cuts to a conscience-stricken LaRussa debating with himself what to do, and deciding to have Fassero plunk Gonzo at the very end.

Now I have a lousy memory, but as I recall, LaRussa visited Tino at first base, was barking the whole time at Miggy, and then (here's where I get fuzzy) presumably under orders, Tino somehow detoured aggressively towards the mound and Miggy threw a ball at him defensively, which led to his being ejected, and later fined and suspended. LaRussa and Martinez also got penalties, but much lighter ones.

Can someone fill in the details? I want to protest this polished up version to SI, because I still hate LaRussa for what he did in that game.

 

[moviegeekjn]

Google can be a wonderful thing... Some resources that may refresh memories:

Picture of Miguel about to throw ball at Martinez

Gonzo and Fins restrain Martinez

Cardinals Correspondent James Meyerriecks' account:

As the St. Louis Blues prepared for Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals (which they would eventually lose to the Canucks, sending the series back to Vancouver for a mutual elimination game), the Redbirds brought the rink to Sunday's game with the Arizona Diamondbacks. After being hit by a pitch from Miguel Batista in the fifth inning, Tino Martinez took his free pass relatively quietly. When he was erased on a force play at second and Batista decided to do a little jawing on Tino's jog to the dugout, things changed pretty quickly. Martinez charged the mound and avoided the second ball that the D-Backs hurler threw at him in the inning before clocking Batista and emptying the dugouts. Both were ejected, and both can probably expect suspension notices in the next few days.

Cardinals reliever Jeff Fassero retaliated in the ninth inning, plunking the Diamondbacks Luis Gonzalez on the ribcage and drew an immediate ejection of his own. The ball didn't initially look like it was thrown at Gonzalez intentionally, but Fassero had no arguments. "You guys saw the game, that's old baseball," Fassero said. "I play old baseball, I don't play this new style of baseball. I still believe in the old ways, settling scores for teams and stuff like that, protect your guys."

Matt Mantei would later blast J.D. Drew on the arm with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to load the bases, but the benches stayed quiet and Mantei was not ejected. Mike Matheny stepped up next and fanned on three pitches, as the Redbirds fell to the Diamondbacks 1-0.

Illinois State Student Paper account

 

[UncleChris]

I don't remember the part about Tino "clocking" Miggy.....

Anyway... to the point..... LaRussa is a lying POS..... plain and simple :