More Cardinals Tweets: Tony La Russa & Albert Pujols
DOWNTOWN — There will be much more in Tuesday’s Post-Dispatch about Albert Pujols’ meeting with the local media a few minutes ago, but there’s no reason not to share a little bit of it now, here, in those wonderful 140-character bursts from the Twitter feed.
(For all those editors out there who told me tighter, brighter, better — Twitter has won this battle, but not the war. Not the war.)
St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa was just finishing up his chat with the pens-and-lens crowd when Pujols, the National League MVP walked into the media room. La Russa spoke about the benefit of having a healthy Chris Carpenter and a full season from Adam Wainwright. He talked about how he sees the outfield as having four returning starters — especially when you consider Chris Duncan’s half seasons from a few years ago. He then added his now famous description of prospect Colby Rasmus having the talent to “elbow” others aside. (”When he’s ready,” La Russa said, “he’s ready.”) He declined to talk about the Cubs and their moves or Milwaukee and its CC- and Sheets-less rotation.
“Focus on the Cardinals,” he said.
There’s wasn’t much Pujols didn’t talk about, from his return to the batting cage around Christmas to his throwing program starting about a week or so ago. He is happy other players “are getting their money, because I got mine back in 2003.” He also said he long past the point of being under rehab guidelines for his elbow.
“My rehab mode as over about a month ago,” Pujols said. “If I called this rehab the way I’m swinging the bat, I would be lying to you guys.”
On with the 140-characters (or less, natch!) bursts, the last volleys from Winter Warm-up:
Tony La Russa on getting a healthy Chris Carpenter on opening day: “Dream come true. Prayers answered.” 10 minutes ago from web
La Russa on Ludwick’s wish to hit 50 HR: “If he paid attention in meetings, he’d know we don’t talk about hitting home runs.” 8 minutes ago from web
“I think we have a good chance if we can catch some reasonable breaks with the injuries (and) find somebody to handle the end of the games.” 7 minutes ago from web
La Russa went on to call finding that person: “Priority No. 1.” 7 minutes ago from web
When Albert Pujols walked into the media room, La Russa feted him with the serenade: “MVP … MVP … MVP … Last year.” 6 minutes ago from web
(Additional note, not from the feed, Pujols shrugged as La Russa chanted and replied: “He’s right.”)
Pujols: “I don’t feel any pain around my elbow.” Went on to say he’s interested in playing in the World Baseball Classic 5 minutes ago from web
… If some insurance issues can be worked out concerning him just coming off surgery. “I’m real excited for it,” Pujols said. 4 minutes ago from web
Pujols on Yadier Molina, who has slimmed down again this winter: “The kid gets better every year.” 3 minutes ago from web
Pujols, who there will be more about in tomorrow’s paper, said he wishes he could “tear the MVP into pieces and share it with the team.” 1 minute ago from web
***
As mentioned at the start of the Winter Warm-up weekend, I wanted to use it as a dress rehearsal for some of the ways to cover spring training. The blog has been a big part of that in the past — and still will be — but the Twitter feed offers a more instantaneous and shorter way to cover the happenings on the back fields of Jupiter. That said, with more people reading the info in the blog, I didn’t want stuff on Twitter to go without reaching the audience here. So … as we look to improve, expand and innovate:
Loading …-30-
Derrick Goold said he was going to Mizzou for capital-J journalism, but after growing up in the Time Zone Baseball Forgot he was really drawn to MU sitting between two major-league cities. Goold joined the Post-Dispatch in 2001 after working for The Times-Picayune and Rocky Mountain News, covering sports from LSU to NHL and every level of baseball in between. 
Here’s my selfish reason for hoping you continue to post the twitter feeds on the blog…my work’s web filter blocks twitter, preventing me from viewing those snippets until they make it to the blog.
I honestly found the reproducing of the Twitter stuff a little pointless, but I guess I’m in the minority. The Twitter/blog combo is a good system, in any case. Glad to hear you’ll be doing some insto-reporting using it at ST.
DG, first off I think that utilizing Twitter is a great addition. I now check it on a regular basis for small bits of info. Excellent acquisition for your Cardinal coverage here at Bird Land.
I’m kind of in the same boat as Mojowo11. I find it a bit pointless to reproduce the Twitter feeds. Nevertheless, the Twitter/blog combo seemed to work just fine these past three days and overall your work covering the Winter Warm-up was great.
Albert says…..”He is happy other players “are getting their money, because I got mine back in 2003″
the nice thing about that comment is he doesn’t seem to be focused on the fact he is WAAAAY underpaid by market standards. bravo Albert
Can you imagine the screams we would have witnessed if a former GM had failed to secure the services of Mark Mulder because he wanted to build around the talent of a Dan Haren? The truth is this management team has in the past been anything but cheap. The quick fix do-it-today bunch will do anything to blackmail this team into action. The options we have today as a team are a reflection of a sound and integrated approach. Had this been the approach with Dan Haren at the time of that trade we might be looking at a Carpenter, Wainwright, Haren rotation that would take a back seat to no other rotation in the majors. For the first time in years, I see a team that can deal from strength. Regardless if Carpenter is able to meet our dream like expectations,I see this as a most exciting and thrilling team and one worthy of my support. We see character and drive from LaRussa and Duncan manifest in the preparation and enthusiasm on this squad. I like Chris Duncan’s bat and attitude. With the ration of criticism he received from so many of the fans in St Louis, I never saw any excuses from this young man. Rick Ankiel has been a favorite of mine for years and it hurt to see him struggle so much. He never quit and he wants to be with us here in St Louis. How great is that! The exploits of Ryan, Yadier, and Albert need only be seen in the context of their continued efforts to improve. Now we have the young guys up here working with Duncan and Yadi and helping them to understand they don’t have to throw the ball though a brick wall to be successful and to see that pitching is now and always has been as much mental as physical. How can anyone look at this team as a fan and not be excited? The Yankees haven’t won in eight years. The thought of beating them in the World Series is a dream for me that I carry into each spring. That is because I have been a Cardinal fan through thick and thin for over fifty years and have often measured them against the class the pinstripes bring to the game.When the National media picks up on all the whining, it should be an embarrassment to any true fan of this team. No other National League team has had the success or the tradition too many have been taking for granted. Success this year won’t be lost because of a lack of desire, effort or faith on the part of those who take the field. We won’t have any Manny being Manny, any Sosas and his possee or Bonds and his baggage. We’ve got a team and a damn good one.
DG — Twitter feed was awesome. I loved the instantaneous short bursts of info.
I think it would really fit well into spring training.
Thanks.