TOWER GROVE — In a recent conversation, St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa politely declined to discuss anything about Albert Pujols and the MVP award until Albert Pujols had actually, officially won the MVP award. La Russa explained that the Cy Young Award voting had taught him a lesson.

He wondered, “What number will they come up with this time?”

Bruised by what they felt was a surefire cinch that either Chris Carpenter or Adam Wainwright would…

DOWNTOWN — In his final start before racing home for the All-Star Game, St. Charles native Mark Buehrle allowed eight runs (all earned) on 10 hits in a dismal 3 1/3 innings for the Chicago White Sox. He heard all the jokes. American League manager Joe Maddon called and told him to stay home. His teammates asked him if he was going to use his bad game as his bid to compete in the Home…

DOWNTOWN — One of the kaleidoscope of statistics kept throughout the year in baseball are “Park Factors”, a comparative way to judge how hitter-friendly or pitcher-supportive a ballpark is from year to year. The stat is based on comparing how different the hitting, the slugging and the pitching is for teams at said ballpark compared to how those teams fair on the road.

The ratio reveals the ballpark’s characteristics.

Busch Stadium III, while not the national park…