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Piazza vs. Tavarez

Centerfield Sep 13 2005 11:30 AM

From today's News: According to insiders, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who conducts his postgame interviews directly outside the home clubhouse, met with Piazza in an adjacent office after Piazza walked down a hallway near the St. Louis clubhouse. Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen, Piazza's former Met teammate, also met with him. Tavarez never came out of the clubhouse to talk to Piazza, though one person familiar with the incident indicated Albert Pujols confronted the reliever in the locker room, as La Russa had done on the bench. Apparently, Mike was more upset than I originally thought. Here's my question, why are people under the impression that Tavarez did this on purpose? I'm not aware of any history between the two...and it's not like Mike is the biggest threat in the Mets lineup. And if it wasn't intentional, why are La Russa and Pujols confronting him? Is there something here I'm missing?

sharpie Sep 13 2005 11:33 AM

Well, Tavarez made anti-gay comments while he was with the Giants, maybe he didn't believe Mike's press conference.

metirish Sep 13 2005 11:36 AM

Not sure what to make of this really, I'd like to know what LaRussa and Izzy had to say, LaRussa in the past has sent pitchers out to plunk guys,maybe Mike knows this and wanted to know WTF Tony.

Edgy DC Sep 13 2005 11:39 AM

I think Piazza's been hit one too many times. I think most managers and players, particularly the Cardinal sluggers subject to retaliation, feel a little for him. And I think, when it comes to a fastball to the head, LaRussa and others only make a partial distinction between intent and carelessness. It's like when Fonzie ripped Chachi for accidentally burning Arnold's down. Chachi didn't mean it, but Chachi was careless, and Fonzie had to hold him responsible because somebody could've gotten badly hurt or killed, and then no amount of excuses or lack of intent could have helped. Fonzie himself was knocked cold in that fire. Serious stuff.

Centerfield Sep 13 2005 11:41 AM

I'd heard that, but how do we know Tavarez was being careless? Isn't it possible one just got away? Is this a common thing for Julian? He's always seemed to me like he's a bit of a prick, but I have never heard that he has any propensity for headhunting.

Johnny Dickshot Sep 13 2005 11:47 AM

I think LaRussa's been a little New Age about the whole thing, to be honest. I didn't read it but understand Buzz Bissinger's book notes that LaRussa will go to great pains to see to a batter getting plunked -- if it's part of a game plan. I suppose if not he gets pissed, feels bad, etc. It was almost as if he didn't even try to win on Sunday as an act of contrition. Tavarez looks like the kind of guy who if he wasn't throwing baseballs at your head would be stealing your car and your woman.

old original jb Sep 13 2005 11:48 AM Edgy's latest book:

"Everything I needed to know I learned from 1970's TV sitcoms."

seawolf17 Sep 13 2005 11:50 AM

I think Tavarez might be a nutjob. Didn't he punch a wall or something and break his hand? Maybe last year? If I was Mike, I'd be pissed about getting beaned too. He does seem to get beaned a lot.

Elster88 Sep 13 2005 12:35 PM

seawolf17 wrote: Didn't he punch a wall or something and break his hand? Maybe last year? Sadly, I don't think that this is uncommon. _____________________________ This post had the designation 157) Alex Ochoa

Edgy DC Sep 13 2005 01:27 PM

Bob Watson is on the case. I don't like czars.

TheOldMole Sep 13 2005 03:20 PM

Isn't that what Marlon Brando said in The Wild One? Or The Wild One Meets Anastasia?