Pujols Moved to 3B

[Elite]

ST. LOUIS -- Manager Tony La Russa rejoined the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday after missing six games to be treated for shingles, and quickly switched around the lineup card.

"Everything's better," La Russa said before the Cardinals began a four-game homestand with the first of two games against Philadelphia. "I'm just going to take the improvement, keep going and quit talking about it."

The 66-year-old La Russa was on the field two hours before the first pitch with a fungo bat in hand. He still had swelling, but his appearance had improved.

La Russa immediately made his presence known, shifting several players in their defensive positions. Three-time NL MVP Albert Pujols moved from first base to third base, Lance Berkman went from right field to first base, Allen Craig switched from third base to right field and Nick Punto slid from third base to second base.

Pujols started at third base for the first time since Sept. 23, 2002. He played two innings at third base on May 1 at Atlanta after starting third baseman David Freese was injured.

Center fielder Colby Rasmus was not in the lineup for the second day while suffering from a stomach ailment.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said he had a bout of shingles in the early 1990s while managing in the minor leagues.

"Yeah, I can feel for him," Manuel said. "It was rough. It's very, very, very uncomfortable."

The Cardinals were 2-4 on their road trip during La Russa's absence and were swept in a three-game weekend series at Cincinnati.

La Russa has been slowed by swelling on the right side of his face that nearly shut his eye. He went to the Mayo Clinic in Arizona last week and later returned to St. Louis.

The manager's biggest regret was not getting treated right away.

"I just wish I'd taken pain medicine," La Russa said. "I went through all that agony for nothing."

La Russa said he spent much of his time away from the team at his Busch Stadium office, and watched all of the games on television. Bench coach Joe Pettini served as acting manager while La Russa was away, and the manager had no complaints.

"I can see where second guesses come, it looks so easy," La Russa said. "I never had a problem. The club was well taken-care of, in every facet."

La Russa also approved of pitcher Kyle Lohse's manager impersonation taking out the lineup card at two of the games on the trip.

"I saw the jersey and then I recognized him right away," La Russa said. "I really appreciated the gesture."

Before La Russa's lineup switch, Pujols said he sustained only a bruised wrist when hit by a pitch at Cincinnati on Sunday. La Russa said he had no problem with the pitch from Francisco Cordero, which incited the Cardinals' dugout.

"You could tell it wasn't a purpose pitch, you're not going to put him on base to pitch to Matt (Holliday) and Lance (Berkman)," La Russa said. "Anytime it's up there it scares me, even if we do it."

Makes 0 sense, Pujols is a great defender at 1B

 

[Mexi]

^they get no production from 3rd
they can now platoon Allan Craig and Jon Jay in right

 

[elcheato]

I don't think it's permanent so I don't see the big deal in it. He's played 3rd base before.

 

[bosoxlover12]

didnt this happen like a month ago?

 

[elcheato]

It was late in a game, didn't start.

 

[cruzg24]

It was only one game, but if he consistently puts Pujols at 3rd Base, I dont think he is going to like it. And thats the kind of bullshit move that would make Pujols want to join another team. And it looks like more and more that Pujols will go to another team.

I mean really he is the best player in baseball and he deserves top dollar, hes done all the right things, put up the numbers, won a championship, and hes a leader. If the Cardinals wont pay him, someone else will and they will be happy to. At this point and time you cater to him, this isnt Jayson Werth or Alfonso Soriano where he isnt worth that type of contract, he is definitely worth it.

 

[lonesomefx]

It's not like moving him to 3rd is gonna kill him. Plenty of 1B's can play third. Teix was a Third Baseman before. Berkman can play 3rd from what I know. Wigginton can play both. 1B is like the hot corner when it's a left handed batter, so you need to know how to handle the same speed ball as a 3rd baseman. I used to play 1st and I play 3rd now IRL so I don't see what's wrong with this.

 

[Rios15]

I hate playing infield, the ball comes so fast that you have no time to think lol. I'm an outfielder type of player.

 

[Lake Louise]

Cabrera also was playing 3rd when he came over from the Marlins. I think a lot of guys have the ability to play both corners. They probably practice it to get the hang of things just in case the situation comes up. So they are prepared. I wouldn't be surprised to see Pujols playing 3rd again. Especially if the production out of 3rd, doesn't pick up.

 

[Elite]

It's not like moving him to 3rd is gonna kill him. Plenty of 1B's can play third. Teix was a Third Baseman before. Berkman can play 3rd from what I know. Wigginton can play both. 1B is like the hot corner when it's a left handed batter, so you need to know how to handle the same speed ball as a 3rd baseman. I used to play 1st and I play 3rd now IRL so I don't see what's wrong with this.

I play 3rd now, 1st and 3rd are very different. You have to realize that these guys don't play 3rd base anymore for a reason, it's because their defense was poor there.

I hate playing infield, the ball comes so fast that you have no time to think lol. I'm an outfielder type of player.

I love the outfield too, running down deep fly balls is fun as hell.

And you shouldn't have to think, you should already know what you're going to do when it comes to you

 

[cruzg24]

Its not about CAN Albert Pujols play 3rd Base. Of course he can, hes a GG 1st Baseman, which accounts for something. Although 3rd Base is tougher than 1st base. The fact of the matter is that Pujols has been playing 1st Base for a very long time now and he has settled in very well to the position. Why change that now when he is still great defensively there?

I know this is going to sound stupid but its about catering to the best player in baseball during his last year with the team so he resigns with your team. This is just sooooo stupid.

 

[Elite]

Yes, it is about can he play the position, like I said before, remember that there's a reason that he no longer plays 3rd base

 

[Elite]

And I just realized that it was only for that one game, he hasn't played there since <_<

 

[bosoxlover12]

Youk's at 3rd and is doing fine...

 

[The Guid]

Youk's different. He came up as a 3rd baseman and shifted to first because Lowell had a lock on third.

 

[Elite]

Youk's different. He came up as a 3rd baseman and shifted to first because Lowell had a lock on third.

This, Youk would have been a 3B all along if Lowell wasn't there. He's better at first, but he's still at least average defensively at third.

 

[The Guid]

I'd say he's above average at 3rd. Consistent GG? Maybe not but he can be up there in the discussion. But, I digress, you're right (in saying he'd be there the whole time if weren't for Lowell) lol

 

[cruzg24]

I'd say he's above average at 3rd. Consistent GG? Maybe not but he can be up there in the discussion. But, I digress, you're right (in saying he'd be there the whole time if weren't for Lowell) lol

I agree Youk is very good defensively on both corners. That dude is nasty with the glove.