Pujols and Backe Fight Before Game
Astros pitcher Brandon Backe and Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols confront each other on the field prior to Wednesday's game in Houston. As the Astros were wrapping up batting practice, Backe said Pujols approached him coming off the field. The two were seen near first base having an exchange before Houston manager Cecil Cooper stepped in to separate Pujols and Backe.Why were the two upset? In the eighth inning of Tuesday's game, Pujols collided with Astros catcher J.R. Towles in the Cardinals' 5-3 victory. Pujols called the Astros' clubhouse after the game to apologize to Towles.
Backe said he did not have a problem with Pujols' apology, but was offended when he was confronted on the field. According to Backe, Pujols was upset that he "kept pressing on" about the situation.
"I felt violated. I felt he confronted me at the wrong time," said Backe. "I don't think it was very professional on his part. Cooper was there and heard everything. He had to say his peace to me, and I said my peace to him and that's it."
"I already apologized and it's over with," said Pujols. "He had a problem with me calling over there (to the clubhouse). You guys don't need to make this bigger than it is."
As for Tony La Russa's take on the slide:"I thought Albert did a fantastic job sliding to take his legs out," La Russa said. "The kid is not giving anybody room to slide, so that's what we teach. He's going to get blasted one of these days."
1 comments:
LaRussa is full of crap. J.R. was standing completely in front of the plate. Pujols may have accidentally taken him out or may have thought he was blocking the plate. I can accept that. He called to apologize, so obviously Pujols realized after the fact that the plate was not being blocked. LaRussa, however, must be on the sauce again, because he is totally off-base (pun intended) w/ his comments.
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