In Anderson We Don't Trust? | 
Bryan Anderson was brought up to help the Cardinals out while Jason LaRue was on the disabled list, but how can the guy help the team if is manager never lets him in the game? Anderson is said to be known more for his bat than his game calling ability but the wise and all knowing Tony La Russa had more faith in a pitcher, not once, but twice, during the 20 inning marathon on Saturday. Tony went with his pitchers with men in scoring position twice while Anderson, the top prospect in the organization, sat on the bench.
This was not the case of pitcher like Rick Ankiel that can hit being allowed to get some sweet pitcher on pitcher homer action. This was Blake Hawksworth and Jason Motte coming to the plate. These guys never hit! They have major league batting attempts that can be counted on one hand with fingers left over to tell the concessions vendor how many beers you want. To say that you trust one of these guys to get a hit to win the game takes the same kind of 
insanity it takes to say the Cubs will win the World Series. There is no logic, that I can think of, that says with the bases loaded in extra innings and two outs you don’t bring the best left handed bat you have left on your bench into the game. Even if you don’t think Anderson can hit, you still bring him into the game in the hope that since he is a lefty there will be a pitching change forcing the Mets to use another pitcher, further limiting what they can do if the game goes another ten innings. Also, by bringing in Anderson at this point in the game, you can double switch with Yadier Molina at the top of the next inning saving his legs, but LaRussa let the pitchers hit and Molina continue to catch.
Watching the game the logic was based on the idea that the pitcher must be going up there to just hold the bat and hopefully get a walk. That logic lasted all of two pitches when the bat came off the shoulder. I can only imagine what was going through Anderson’s head at this point in the game. Everyone in the stadium and at home was thinking why isn’t Anderson in the game? You know he had to be thinking the same thing himself. This happened not once but twice. It almost seemed as if La Russa was trying to get the loss or that he simply didn’t want Anderson to be promoted to the big league roster, thus doing anything but playing him.
Anderson finally got into the game hitting into a fielders choice with the inning ending with Ludwick being tagged out after being caught in a rundown. Anderson didn’t get another chance to hit because he was pulled from the game at the top of the next inning for a pitcher. Once again there was no double switch to try and keep his bat in the lineup, which once again led to head shaking over what was Tony thinking.
The 20th inning was over and so was the game. The leading thought after the game was that Anderson would have to 
get the start at catcher after Molina had caught a double header plus the night before, but to the shock of everyone Tony came out saying that Molina would get to decide if he was able to go. Some people might say if Molina says he is good then let him go, but in all reality this statement is a way of saying we don’t believe in Anderson and as long as we can wheel Molina out in a wheelchair we will. If LaRussa believed in Anderson at all, he would have told Molina to put on some trainers and enjoy a hotdog from the clubhouse while the rookie got his first start. Molina can catch three games in two days, but is it wise to have him do it? LaRussa didn’t seem to be concerned with winning the 20 inning game so why should he worry about making sure his starting catcher still has legs for the playoffs?
I don’t see the point in bringing up a player to fill a roster spot if the manager will never play him. If Anderson is going to sit on the bench while pitchers hit for him and Molina, on legs of rubber, continues to catch, send him back down to Memphis and pick up a free agent catcher that Tony will play. Tony is only crushing the confidence of a young player while at the same time putting half of his everyday roster in a situation where the possibility of injury is greatly increased.
Anderson is getting the start tonight but this start seems a day late and many at bats short. Putting Anderson in today just goes to further the point of we don’t trust you. If you are putting Anderson in to spell Molina you do it yesterday. Anderson getting the start today just shows you that Molina’s body finally caught up to him yelling “stop the madness” after three games in a little over 24 hours. This start is not a vote of confidence from a trusting manager but a last resort. Keep an eye out tonight to see if Tony pulls Anderson before the end of the game. Anderson might be out of the doghouse tonight but there is no doubt Tony will have him on a short leash.
Charles Sollars covers the Cardinals every Thursday right here on BaseballDigest.com
Topics: Ankiel, bench, Blake Hawksworth, bryan anderson, Cardinals, Concessions, Cubs, Extra Innings, Homer, How Many Beers, Inning Marathon, Insanity, Jason Larue, Lefty, Major League, Molina, Pitchers, Pitches, Pitching Change, Rick Ankiel, Tony La Russa, Watching The Game, Yadier Molina
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Anderson didn’t make the team out of Florida for a reason. He is on the roster because there’s a need for a **catcher** on the bench with Larue out, whether or not you consider him a pinch hitter.
How well do you know the career 0-for-2 mlb catcher’s swing? You cite his minor league stats as though that’s all the coaches have to go on…
Tony, Mark, and Jose know what he ate for breakfast, they saw batting practice, they watched everything he did this Spring Training, and they sent him back to the minors for it, too.
When he came into the game what did he do? Left 2 on, right. There’s the answer then…
So, now where do you get the innings that Hawksworth went on to pitch if you sub him out early for L.O.B.ryan? Position players pitching in the 15th now?
In other words, it’s easy to sit in a quiet corner of the internet and {complain} about something that doesn’t make sense to you in all your vast and highly-touted experience, but where does it lead?
If you think two pitchers that have to hunt the dugout for a bat are better options to win a game than the top rated prospect of the club then the Cards are in real trouble. I am not saying he should of mad the big league squad. I am saying he is up here now so use him. If you want a manager to manage for the what if of the next inning in extra innings have it. My view is if you have a chance to win you take it and pitchers batting is never a good thing.