Temptation

I’m F’n tempted to go filter-free in describing how Tony La Russa “managed” his White Sox against the Royals yesterday afternoon. What the F is wrong with this guy? First, starter Michael Kopech shows discomfort warming up. He tells the staff he’s ok, but that should be a head’s-up to anyone paying attention, right? Not for our “manager.” He must’ve seen a different game than I was watching. Kopech walked the leadoff batter in the bottom of the first, then hit the second batter. Given the fact that Kopech had problems warming up and was throwing in the high eighties to low nineties, well below his norm, a prudent manager would’ve pulled his starter right then and there. Not our “manager.” No, he left Kopech in to face Salvador Perez, who singled in the first run. Enough? Not for Tony, who let Kopech walk the next batter. Then, our “manager” finally made his move to the bullpen, only Jimmy Lambert didn’t bring any magic along with him, letting the next three batters reach base. The score was 4-0 before the Sox could bat again. Somehow, they managed to tie the score by the seventh inning. Given that they had ten hits and seven walks on the afternoon, you’d think they would’ve scored more than four runs, but, No. Maybe the three double plays had something to do with it, or the approach—you might say lack thereof—Sox hitters took, I don’t know. Hitting coach Frank Menechino seems to be a shrinking violet with the media these days. Now we come to the eighth inning, score 4-4, Joe Kelly in for the Sox. Kelly hits the first batter. Kelly hits the second batter. Kelly gives up a single to the third batter. Kelly miraculously gets a force at home with the fourth batter. Kelly walks the fifth batter to give the Royals the lead, which they would not relinquish. Only then did our “manager” change pitchers. In Kelly’s defense, he may have been distracted by his shadow or the echoes coming from the stands of a nearly empty Kauffman Stadium. After the game, La Russa unveiled Testy Tony, telling reporters, “You want to say we’re lousy? Say we’re lousy.” There’s so much F’n more to add to that.