DeWitt, Mozeliak to Meet with La Russa, Staff Monday
The Cardinals went about autumn cleaning Sunday, clearing lockers and packing vehicles for trips home following Saturday’s convincing 5-1 elimination from the Division Series by the Los Angeles Dodgers. General manager John Mozeliak mingled among players and media, admitting to disappointment over the team’s quick dismissal while holding back any pronouncements about the future pending a Monday meeting with chairman Bill DeWitt Jr., manager Tony La Russa and La Russa’s coaching staff.
La Russa stopped short Saturday of saying his staff would return. Indeed, La Russa, who’s contract expires at month’s end, could not say if he was going to return.
“I’ve never doubted the club’s commitment — ever,” La Russa said early Saturday afternoon. “The question is whether I want to go for a 31st year.”
Mozeliak said last week that he believed La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan would return. Mozeliak refused to comment about the remainder of the coaching staff, stoking speculation that he and La Russa were uncertain whether the club would bring back hitting coach Hal McRae for a sixth season.
The Cardinals typically wait until after the meeting to confirm any front office or coaching changes. In 2004, hitting coach Mitchell Page was fired in the days after the Boston Red Sox concluded their World Series sweep of the Cardinals.
In 2007, DeWitt informed general manager Walt Jocketty of his ouster the day after involving Jocketty in a lengthy organizational review. It is uncertain to what extent DeWitt will seek input from Duncan about different pitching philosophies separating the minor-league and major-league sides.
La Russa said he has only begun soul-searching regarding his future. Part of that evaluation focuses on the team’s attentitiveness to him and his staff. While insisting the club did not enter the Division Series flat, La Russa expressed disappointment over Saturday’s noticeable drop in energy level.
“We got swept the last three. That wasn’t good,” La Russa said. “So you ask, ‘Is what you’re saying not helpful?’ or ‘If it’s helpful, are they tired of listening to you?’ Those thoughts go through your mind. We set ourselves up to play winning-type baseball in the first series. My opinion is I was really pleased with the energy, the drive and the fire we had in LA. I think we competed our tails off. They did, too…. Yesterday I think we were all really disappointed. It wasn’t the same level of chance to win.”
Said Mozeliak: “I don’t think [the team] was flat as much as it wasn’t executing. ‘Flat’ to me means guys aren’t into it, aren’t trying or don’t care. I never got that. It just didn’t work. You played your best baseball in August and you played your worst in October. It’s not great. It’s not fair. But it is what it is.”
(7 votes, average: 3.43 out of 5)
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Tony, it’s time to leave St. Louis. Your personality sucks and it seems like you’d be happier somewhere else. BTW, your management this post-season sucked and we don’t want you back.
if Tony and Mo thinks the team wasn’t flat going into and during the playoffs then they are in full denial.
Since Tony has been here, the Cards have been in the post season more often than not. Players get paid to play, coaches get paid to win. … good enough for me. Tony should have tenure as far as I’m concerned.
Speak for yourself, JAZ. Would love to have Tony back. And while I’m sure there are plenty of fans who feel the same, I won’t presumptuous enough to speak for them. Personally, I’d like to see haters like JAZ leave instead.
jaz, ur an idiot
Jaz-You may be upset but don’t speak for all of us. “We”… I for one want to see TLR back next year. For a team that was picked 4th in the Central, they did well. Tough post season but that happens sometimes. I think the Cards are very close and if they can keep Holiday will be solid favorites going into next year.
Tony’s the best manager in baseball; he and Cox are 1A and 1B. People like JAZ (and there are more of those like him) make me question how people can stereotype St. Louis fans as the best in baseball. Tony should be able to manager as long as he wants. Whether the Cardinals want him back or not should never be in question.
Like the rest of Cardinal nation, I am shocked and disappointed by the quick exit. However, part of what has made Cardinal baseball special over the last decade have been quirks like La Russa’s unconventional strategies, even coastal columnists lavishing praise on our great pitching coach and, of course, fantastic players. Sometimes baseball is just strange and inexplicable. As is often analogized, it’s almost like a religion. It’s been a treat watching Tony and his staff manage and I hope both sides determine to continue the arrangement going forward.
Why is it hating to criticize Larussa? I do not hate Larussa. I just feel that it is timme to give Jose Oquendo a chance to manage. I feel that Larussa is to loyal in cases like Chris and Dave Duncan and Troy Glause to a fault. I think it is time to change. This is not about hate. I love Cardinal baseball but feel it is time to change managers and go a different direction with a fresh start. GOOOOOOOO REDBIRDS and Tony is welcome anytime for ole timer’s game.
be careful what you wish for, Larussa goes away and what makes you think the next unproven guy will be an upgrade, I like what Tony has done and I think he should stay until he isn’t in it anymore.