NY Card Fan: Mighty Joe,

For the life of me I simply cannot understand why so many Cardinal fans are so anti-LaRussa and take every opportunity to shoot him down. There were posts criticizing the way TLR would use DeRosa...before DeRosa even suited up for his first game as a Cardinal! The guy has only won 2500 games and is on his way to the HOF. His teams are always prepared and he gets more out of less than any manager I know; trust me, as a New Yorker I watch those managers consistently get less out of more. Sure he's a bit of a control freak and might have gone to the Bobby Knight School of Charm, but some of those rubes out there simply don't know what they have in Tony LaRussa. When TLR moves on someday and the next Vern Rapp moves in, they'll be pining for the days of Tony LaRussa.

Joe Strauss: You're on record NY. Your point is well taken but I'm not sure some of the so-called "rubes" appreciate your tact.

Kent: Hey Joe! Thanks for doing these live chats... love riding the wave.

You mentioned on 101 tuesday that the "player to be named later" in the
DeRosa deal is another prospect, aka "Luhnow's faberge eggs". Could you
give us a little more insight as to who that may be, and why is he to be
named later, instead of going now with Perez? Did the Cards give the Indians a list to pick from? Is it contingent on DeRosa signing on for more than this year?

Joe Strauss: Relievers Jess Todd, Francisco Samuel and Eduardo Sanchez have been mentioned as the potential PTBN. The Indians are given a list and may use a prescribed length of time to evaluate each before selecting. De Rosa's decision to stay or go after this year has nothing to do with the PTBN.

dub the beachcomber: Wavemaster, the surf here on Monterey Bay, like the Cards, is mired in it's summer slump. Is this why TLR is trying to entertain us with insane lineups? Thurston in left field? That makes no sense at all. If we're going with a right handed lineup and have to put Thurston in left, why not send him to Memphis to learn to run bases and call up Nick the stick? I think this team's biggest handicap is the manager. And I'm sick of hearing about all tony's wins when he has almost as many losses. My question: do you think we'd have won more games with a set lineup? Does it make playing harder if you never know what position you will play? Thanks Joe

Joe Strauss: Dub obviously hasn't been texting NY Cards Fan. Thurston was a surprise in LF last night with Rasmus and Duncan sitting against Randy Johnson. (Little Dunc' did take RJ deep in a Grapefruit League tilt against the Yankees a couple years ago. But we digress.) The revolving door aspect of the lineup does present a challenge to some. What it says most loudly is that TLR sees only a couple core names within this team. Everyone except Albert and Molina are subject to match-up considerations. Unfortunately, a bottom of the lineup with Thurston and Tyler Greene surrounding the pitcher has offered very little. The ChatMeister believes this team overachieved early this season. The manager had something to do with it. Now elements are being exposed. A team needing 14 rookies in a half season is probably operating on borrowed time. TLR's lineups reflect that lack of stability.

THEblindhomer: Mr. Strauss,

I will never, ever again question the power of JSL!

As you know, I was in quite the predicament after doing your recommended research of all prior JSL! productions in the comfort of the neighbor's living room.

I was extremely concerned that my priors for excessive cow-tipping might factor into the judge's sentencing recommendation and land me in a room without a view and a roommate named Bubba.

However, when given a chance to speak on record for myself, once I mentioned the research of JSL! I was doing, the judge gave me a suspended sentence and time served and a complete expungement of my record if I faithfully followed JSL! Turns out the judge is a big fan of Mr. Strauss.

Anywho, I was wondering if you could share with the class which former Cub spirit has inhabited the body of Ryan Ludwick and turned .299/.375/.591/.966 into .227/.299/.419/.718?

Is there any exorcism scheduled before the All-Star Break?

Joe Strauss: Thanks to a converted wave-rider. As stated, if Ludwick makes an adjustment and his numbers begin to approach the mean, he should be a productive second-half hitter. If not, the Cardinals have a heck of a decision this winter about an arbitration-eligible guy who could command serious jack in 2010.

mmac_32: Dear wise guru,
I'm watching tonight's game in almost pure disgust. I have never been so fed up with the lineup situation in my entire life. My first question is, why did La Russa pull DeRosa in the 6th inning?? It made absolutely NO SENSE. Not only that, why in the world did Joe Thurston start at left to begin with? Him against Randy Johnson was just comical. I just dont understand anything La Russa is doing lately. Honestly there is no reason Rasmus should not play everyday, and rotate the other three slumping outfielders around him. My next question is how much longer are we going to not hit before Hal McCrae gets the can? This is weeks over due as well. And lastly I'm to predict that Ludwick will not be in tomorrows lineup...I mean he did he the ball finally today, so I'm sure he wont get to play tomorrow. Please Joe, give me some good news....

Joe Strauss: By now you know why De Rosa was lifted. Raz' was held out against a tough lefty while dealing with a hiatal hernia. I'm fairly confident the Lud' will be in there tonight. The team has played poor fundamental ball this homestand, no question. They are also going through regular afternoon drill sessions. This isn't about lack of work ethic. Their flaws are showing. Carpenter and Pujols enjoyed a monster June yet the team was 12-17. That suggests something beyond one night's 6-3 loss.