Then Learn, Already

The White Sox, led by manager Tony La Russa (think fish rots from the head down here), stunk up the joint at Tropicana Field yesterday, falling to the Rays, 9-0. In a way, the score was closer than it looks. Talking to reporters afterwards, La Russa said it was the kind of game where “you think about what they did right and what we didn’t, and that’s how you learn and you get better.” In which case, Teacher, instruct thyself. Start by realizing Eloy Jimenez can’t play the field in this dome and may not be much better in Toronto. Eloy couldn’t track the ball and cost starter Reynaldo Lopez a run in the first inning on a “bloop” double that shouldn’t have been. He was just as bad on a few other balls hit his way. It's also time for the HOF manager to realize that Jose Ruiz is not a go-to guy in tough situations. (Maybe longtime La Russa pitching coach Dave Duncan was the one calling the shots all those years in Oakland and St. Louis) Ruiz showed why—yet again, I might add—in the sixth inning, the bases loaded and two out in what was then a 3-0 game. It’s never a good idea to give up a bases-clearing double on an 0-2 pitch, but La Russa’s pick out of the pen did just that. La Russa also might want to rethink his fascination with Cesar Hernandez at the top of the order when Tim Anderson isn’t playing (more on that shortly). Hernandez went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and a double play. Never have I seen someone traded to a pennant-contender who so looks like he doesn’t want to be there. Danny Mendick got two hits subbing for Anderson and deserves the start at second base tonight in Toronto. As ever, I won’t hold my breath. Tim Anderson pretty much beat the Rays all by himself Friday night, so what does La Russa do? He has him sit the next two games because his legs are sore and, “We don’t want to push him. If it was October, he’d be in there.” At this rate, if it were October, the Sox would already be eliminated. The Rays are the best team in the AL. The idea is to beat them and secure homefield advantage in the playoffs. Anderson’s playing time should’ve been monitored going into this series, not midway through. What I find suspicious is La Russa is the one doing the talking. There’s not a peep from Anderson on being tired or hurting. Hell freezes over before Tony La Russa speaks for me. Or shows he’s capable of managing in 2021.