Coming up this Sunday, MLB Network airs a new edition of “Studio 42 with Bob Costas” with guest, Tony LaRussa, manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. The previous edition when Bob interviewed former umpires Steve Palermo, Don Denkinger and Bruce Froemming was absolutely fascinating. I’m not a fan of LaRussa, but I think Bob can make him interesting for an hour.
MLB NETWORK’S BOB COSTAS TO HOST Q&A WITH ST. LOUIS CARDINALS MANAGER TONY LARUSSA ON JUNE 28
Interview to discuss Albert Pujols, Mark McGwire, his World Series experiences and his managing philosophy
June 25, 2009 – MLB Network’s Studio 42 with Bob Costas will host a conversation with St. Louis Cardinals Manager Tony LaRussa on June 28 at 9:00 p.m. ET on MLB Network. The conversation includes LaRussa’s thoughts on Albert Pujols, Mark McGwire, the ’88 World Series and his managing philosophy. LaRussa, who, at 2500, has the most wins of any St. Louis Cardinals manager in history, was recently named as a coach for the National League team at the 80th All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 14 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
Highlights of the LaRussa interview include:
ON ACQUIRING NEW PLAYERS:
“If you really start talking too much about what you need, what does your team think? ‘Oh, unless we get that need, then we can’t compete.’ That is the exact wrong message that you send your team. Because, first of all, our guys deserve more respect than that. We are competitive. But you always acknowledge that you’re not perfect and you are always trying to get better.”
ON ALBERT PUJOLS AS A PLAYER:
“This guy works and works. He is smart, he knows his strokes, he studies the game between him and the pitcher and he’s got great courage at the plate. And then you tie that into his number one quality: He is just trying to win the stinking game. …This guy is a winning player. He’s the best player I have ever been around.”
ON HIS DEFENSE OF MARK MCGWIRE:
“We ran an intense program of strength and fitness in Oakland and in St. Louis. It was monitored and it was supervised. … There wasn’t anything illegal happening in the official Oakland or St. Louis program. And that’s what I have defended because I saw all our guys in both those places work their butts off and get strong legally. … Away from the ballpark, I am not a policeman, we were not policemen. Did something happen? I don’t know. I just know in Mark’s case, I watched him from his first year through his rookie year, and many years subsequent, religiously working to get stronger and also being very careful with his diet and stuff. So I believe everything that I know about him was legitimate. If he strayed, I don’t think he strayed much at all, or I never saw it. I think he is a guy that I should speak up and for in favor of and I continue to do so.”
ON MCGWIRE’S CONGRESSIONAL HEARING:
“Well, what I think of the congressional appearance was a disappointment. I’ve said, and I believe – I know he told me going in – he hired these lawyers. I think he was coached. Mark has never been comfortable in the spotlight. I don’t think he thought very well on his feet or in his seat that day. And he just fell back on that one answer.”
ON HIS MANAGING PHILOSOPHY:
“I think that I’m a product of what I have been taught. And I think I have had great teachers. And they all tell you that you are better off making a move that you think makes sense than sitting around and not making a decision.”
Before the interview, MLB Network will air the third episode of its original reality series The Pen, featuring members of the Philadelphia Phillies’ bullpen, at 8:30 p.m. ET. Following the interview, MLB Network will replay the “Studio 42 with Bob Costas” conversation with former Major League Baseball umpires Don Denkinger, Bruce Froemming and Steve Palermo at 10:00 p.m. ET.
Here’s
a quick video preview of the interview.
Thanks to MLB Network for sending the press release over.
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