Torre's Mistake

Dodgers took on the Cardinals tonight. Me, being a die-hard Cubs fan, really, really wanted the Dodgers to win for the first time in week’s series vs. the STL Cardinals. Why? Cubs were .5 games behind the Cards at the top of the NL Central. A Cards loss would mean the Cubs take the lead in the Division after their 12-0 asswhoopin of the Astros. Let’s gooooo Dodgers!

The Dodgers and Cards entered the 11^th inning in a 1-1 tie. Great pitching. Two top teams. Great game.

In the Top of the 11^th inning, Manny Ramirezlined a 2-out double into left field. Then, with Ramirez on 2nd, the Card intentionally walked Andre Ethier, the League’s leader with 4 walkoff hits. Runners sit on 1st and 2nd with 2 outs. The table is set.

Dodgers’ most consistent player, Iowan, Casey Blake (shout out to Megan Bobo<–check out her music), stepped up to do his damage. A single results in a game-winning RBI.

But wait, Manager Joe Torre slips up. He decides NOT to pinch-run for the not-fast (not slow, but definitely not-fast) Manny Ramirez.

Juan Pierre sits on the bench. Torre scans the field and his troops. Juan Pierre sits on the bench. Blake singles into left field on a 3-2 count. Juan Pierre sits. Manny stammers around third and heads home. Juan Pierre sits. In classic Mannywood style, Manny’s oversized, dirty helmet fumbles off Manny’s dome. Pierre…just…sits…. there. Manny gets tagged out on a bang-bang play at the plate. I say to myself, “For the love of my Cubs, why is Juan Pierre just sitting on the bench…?”

An opportunity missed. Pierre should’ve been the pinch runner for Manny Ramirez. (Pierre did bat for a pitcher in the 13^th and didn’t stay in the game.) He shoulda ran for Manny in the 11^th. Point. Blank. Period.

Jay Z wrote about how fast Juan Pierre is. He’s the Major’s 8^th best base stealer. He’d help with the stick in later ABs. He’s batting .314. He’s a much better (faster) defender in left field.

And the mistake rippled. In the Bottom of the 14^th inning, Card’s Brendan Ryan knocked a liner down the THIRD BASE line. Manny lumbered toward the line to retrieve the double. And yes, while Juan Pierre sat on the bench, Manny’s lightning quickness just wasn’t enough. Ryan, on a LEFTFIELD liner, hits a standup triple. Unacceptable. (Ryan did later get thrown out at the place trying to score on a grounder to shortstop.)

Torre is a great coach, motivator, and team leaders. But for goodness sake, Torre, play the faster, smoothers, better defender late in the game.

Torre had a lot more to gain than to lose by pinch-running Pierre at 2^nd base in the 11^thinning. A great coach blew the play…and the game.