Pujols injury

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Anybody else see or think this?

I think it's just an unfortunate injury. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer as to why it happened. The fact is it happened. Whether he did something wrong or the 2nd baseman did something wrong or the batter did something wrong-- it really doesn't matter. He'll be out 4-6 weeks and the Cardinals will have to find a way to overcome that.

I think it does matter. The Cardinals are fighting two other teams for first in the Central and they just lost the best player in baseball for a month or more. Maybe the injury was unavoidable but watching the film it doesn't look right.

Nobody on and Pujols will be playing deep but he had plenty of time to get to the base and set up with his right foot on the bag ready to stretch. Why wasn't he in this position? Did he think the ball was getting through and then realize the 2B had a play which caused him to get there late?

How many times do you see this same play end with a swipe tag from the first baseman (out or not) but he doesn't get hurt? I don't know all the facts because the film doesn't show Pujols until the throw is at the bag but it doesn't add up. If I'm the Cardinals orginization I'm going to be pretty ticked that my best player made a mistake which could have been avoided. Now they have to overcome an injury during a tough competition for first. Tony Larussa is on the hot seat and he might be fired after the season if the Cardinals don't do anything. Granted they are still going to try and resign him but this injury has some far flung affect on the Cardinals. If it was unavoidable then so be it you work around it but if it was avoidable then it really is a shame.

Like I said I don't know the particulars of why Pujols was late to the bag or not. I just know from my experience with baseball you don't set up like that or not be there in time on a typical play.

Coach,
First TLR is not on the hot seat, in fact he has done a remarkable job with all of the injuries (are you aware) this season. Freese broken hand, Craig busted kneecap and Waino out, Punto injured, Berkman and Holiday on and off the field since April, pitchers missing starts, I do beleive everyone has been working overtime to help the cause. At one game this season, the lineup minus one was all home grown players. He's working with the hand he has been dealt with. I would imagine if he wanted to come back for the next 10 years, management would be more than happy ot oblige.

But you are right, it could not have come at a worse time. I am not defending management just calling it the way I see it.

I am kind of perplexed at the play, an experienced RH first baseman not shifting off the bag, some say it was the rookie's fault they placed at 2B who made a great play, that if the runner would have been out would have been an ESPN play of the day.

Albert has been shifted back and forth from 1B to 3B and not gone errorless. He has walked off the field when it's been 2 outs and not 3, and he has also not produced as he has been expected, I believe there was another injury he has been fighting (some close say he seems to be in pain) and Albert would never take himself out of the game, hopefully will be able to address that too I guess in the next 6 weeks.

Interestingly enough, when Albert wasn't producing the rest of the team was. soon as he began hitting, they lost production, it's now time for everyone to step up, again.

This is kind of like Posey's accident, it's really hard to say who did what wrong, the bottom line is that this is a dangerous game, don't kid yourself.

Now you want to talk Marlins, I am completely disgusted!

We were at the game Sunday and saw this. However, we were just past the 1st base dugout a couple sections, and so Pujols' body was between us and the impact.

Watching it with college baseball son last night (all conference first baseman) he made the comment that Pujols had the wrong foot on the base several times Sunday before he got hurt. Just saying, and Kruk made that point last night that it might have helped avoid contact, but maybe not.

As far as having his wrong foot on the bag, yes he did have the wrong foot down.

It seems his habit in covering first is to put the left foot on the bag kind of as his way to find the bag as he is covering, then he does like a skip to put his right foot on the bag and he will step out with his left foot to catch the throw. He didnt do it this time. But things like this happen in baseball. I think they will be alright without him.

I guess I was basing him on the hot seat because he was last year or the year before. I think he's done a great job with all the injuries and he's one of the best in the game period. I just assumed he was still on it.

I cannot see how at all it's the 2B fault. He covered a lot of ground and made an off balance throw while his momentum was still going to the OF. No way it's his fault.

I teach the find the bag with the left foot and do a slight hop to put the right foot on the bag. It's how our 1B were taught in college and I've seen other 1B of various levels do it. But the left foot is on the bag for a split second. Baseball17 how is your son taught to do footwork?

Things happen in baseball and it's a dangerous game no doubt but we now have two injuries to the superstars of the game that could have been avoided.

Coach2709,

Also add Josh Hamilton's early season broken arm where he made an ill advised head first slide into home. I think it was a poor slide by Hamilton.

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I guess I was basing him on the hot seat because he was last year or the year before. I think he's done a great job with all the injuries and he's one of the best in the game period. I just assumed he was still on it.

I don't think he was ever really on the hot-seat. The fans are always wanting him fired, the media always makes a big deal out of things, but I don't think the team management ever has considered firing him...

I realize that Albert is a completely different player than anybody else they've got, but the Cardinals have overcome numerous injuries this season already and this is another one they have to work through. They had a stat on Sunday even that said that the Cardinals have been better when one of the Power 3 was out of the line-up than when all three have played..

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Originally posted by Bulldog 19:
They had a stat on Sunday even that said that the Cardinals have been better when one of the Power 3 was out of the line-up than when all three have played..

Hmmm, kind of sounds like an NBA team down this way.