artie_fufkin wrote:

Max wrote:

artie_fufkin wrote:

If the book is to be believed, whenever retaliation is in order, there's a meeting in his office to discuss who the target from the opposing team is going to be. Of course, La Russa is to team meetings what Dean Martin was to celebrity roasts. They probably have a meeting to decide between sugar or Equal.

how could they ever retaliate in the same game?

There's a presumption they haven't.  In the passage from TNA, one of the lesser players from the Cardinals had been plunked the night before, but the game was too close for them to retaliate then and there, so there's a meeting before the next game to decide which player of corresponding talent from the other team is the target.
If I recall correctly, Garrett Stephenson - as was his wont - ignores La Russa's directive. I believe the entire chapter is devoted to Stephenson's inability to take direction from the coaching staff and how frustrated it makes La Russa. Duncan and Stephenson have the usual half hour pre-game meeting going over that night's lineup, the usual "pitch so-and-so this way," "don't throw a fastball near the plate to this guy," "off-speed stuff away to this guy ..." etc., and Stephenson comes out and throws nothing but 4-seam fastballs for the first three innings.

i specifically recall fassero retaliating in a game and being quite blunt about it afterward.  i think he got mid-sized suspension and said something about playing the game the way he learned it. 

but anyhoo, ya learn something new everyday.  maybe i should read some of those books someday.

JV wrote:

Max wrote:

i specifically recall fassero retaliating in a game and being quite blunt about it afterward.  i think he got mid-sized suspension and said something about playing the game the way he learned it.

tee-hee....

Oh, sorry; I was just picturing chin music from Jeff Fassero...

I can appreciate that, but i'll bet an 88 mph fastball in the ribs doesn't feel good.