One More Thing

I forget one last thing for this week:

Am I the only one who thinks it is ridiculous that recently retired Tony LaRussa is going to be managing the NL All-Stars next year? Look, if the game meant nothing then it would be a great idea to have some of the games greatest coaches come back for a day. But the thing is, this game means something. It is for home field advantage in the World Series. We can debate until we are blue whether determining home field in this manner is a good thing (here are my thoughts), but I don't think anyone can argue with me on this one.

No matter how informed LaRussa stays during his retirement he won't know as much about all the players as he did if he was coaching. It just doesn't work like that. He won't be able to monitor everyone from the opposing dugout. He won't be able to have access to the same scouting reports. He won't get to physically see on the field. AND he won't have anything at stake. If he loses it's no big deal: he can go home and put his feet up (btw - the thought of LaRussa at home is an equally boring, equally curmudgeonly thought) and watch the World Series on tv. It just won't be the same. If my team makes it to the World Series and they don't have home field advantage because some retired manager made an uninformed decision, I would be pissed. This is ridiculous.