John Russell is a fool and not just because he
pulled Zach Duke with a 10 run lead with two-outs and empty bases in the 9th. He's a legitimate fool because he believes
that Pittsburgh sports fans will buy his asinine phony baloney reason of giving
Duke the pleasure of the fans' ovation. JR, this isn't a basketball blow-out.
Here it is; the only audible thing this guy
has said in two years and it insults anyone who still cares. I might be among the last of the remaining,
fading hopefuls (fools) to say I've seen enough.
Russell has been part of the nutty but
successful scheme to dumb-down all Pirate fans. But zapping Zach was a transparent giant leap
of dumbness from the Chauncey Gardner of baseball managers.
(you know, the reference to the dim-witted
Peter Sellers character in Being There)
This time the skipper has misunderestimated
us. We know if he were really a sincere. sensitive and thoughtful fellow he
would have also sent a Doug Strange out to replace Andy LaRoche at third base.
You know, Andy has also had a tough year but went 5-5 with two homers on Monday
and he also deserved to hear a swell 9th inning ovation from the fans. Just like
they do in blow-out basketball.
Creepy opportunity missed, JR.