I love when the mainstream media serves up a softball. In this recent article, Tony La Russa defended his defense, saying “The pitcher has some responsibility for that when a play doesn’t get made behind him. You have to pitch with a good pace and be aggressive so guys are ready for the ball.” DIPS theory aside, I wondered if La Russa had another August gem for us.
It sent me rushing to the BP archives - ok, I sent someone else - and they found this article from Dan Fox. Fox said, “There’s no evidence that quick workers reduce or that slow workers increase the number of errors that are made behind them, by either keeping fielders on their toes or lulling them to sleep. I don’t know about you, but at the highest professional level that pretty well conforms to my expectations. Johnny may daydream in Little League, but Derek Jeter doesn’t in the big leagues.”
In other words, La Russa should take another look at his short-legged outfielders, out-of-position fielders, and the mirror, rather than at his pitchers. Despite all that, the Cardinals are in the thick of the NL Central chase, meaning that there’s likely more credit to be spread around St. Louis than blame.
Schrodinger's Bat: Hummingbirds and Sloths
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