truebluefan

In the World Series, it's St. Louis Cardinals 1, Detroit Tigers 1.

In the showdown of mastermind managers, it's too close to call just yet, though each supposed genius — the Cardinals' Tony La Russa and the Tigers' Jim Leyland — has taken one on the chin.

Leyland took responsibility for the key at-bat that led to the Cardinals' victory in Game 1: pitching to slugger Albert Pujols instead of having Tigers starter Justin Verlander intentionally walk him with first base open in the third inning. Pujols homered for a 3-0 St. Louis lead.

"The manager takes that responsibility," Leyland says. "I take it, and I accept it. It's one of those things people can have a field day with. Go for it."

La Russa was the one on the defensive Monday, explaining why he didn't challenge the umpires to find out just what that was on Tigers starter Kenny Rogers' pitching hand in the first inning of Detroit's 3-1 Game 2 victory Sunday night.

complete article