Tagged: Tony La Russa
11/23 Hot Stove – The Left Wing
The AL MVP winner was not much of a surprise; Joe Mauer had a terrific season, and he deserves this award.
He hit against lefties and he hit against righties while playing arguably the most demanding position on the field and winning a Gold Glove.
He had a dynamic year.
The Twins were a team decimated by injuries, and Joe was no exception, missing all of April with an injured back. He came back with a bang, blasting a home run in his first at bat, and he carried the Twins from that point on. The Twins pulled off something special in the AL Central, and Mauer was a key component in that charge to the playoffs.
Greg, Al, Mitch and I will be talking to Joe at 6pm ET, on Hot Stove.
The runners up had terrific years, but Mauer Power was just too much.
Derek Jeter silenced his critics this season, proving he his can still play the shortstop position at a high level for a World Championship team. He also hit the ball pretty well too.
Mark Teixeira was everything the Yankees hoped he would be when the opened the bank for him. He performed under the pressure of New York, had a great year at the plate and is also the best defensive first baseman out there right now.
Speaking of first baseman, there is no doubt that Albert Pujols is going to win the NL MVP tomorrow. As long as he’s breathing, in uniform, and at the ballpark, he’s the best player in the NL. No question he is the total package.
Tony La Russa called him the best player he’s ever managed He’s managed a cluster of great players, including Rickey Henderson, Mark McGwire, and Jose Canseco, but Albert is a once in a lifetime kind of player.
And just in case you’re wondering, Pujols is 0-1 against my change-up. Got him to pop up. – Dan Plesac
Click here to watch the interview with Joe Mauer from Monday night.
9/24 MLB Tonight – The Hot Corner with Hazel Mae
Here’s what’s HOT……The Albert Pujols Golf Tournament.
Don’t know if you guys caught the early edition of MLB tonight. In addition to the A’s crushing the Rangers, and maybe crushing their playoff hopes, you would have seen highlights of the Albert Pujols Charity Golf Tournament!
Yours truly got to tee it up with Pujols, and the rest of the Cardinals team. Bobby Knight, Tony La Russa, and The Wizard of Oz, Ozzie Smith, were also a few who came out to support Albert’s foundation.
One thing that really amazed me was the fact that every player on the Cardinals showed up. In the middle of the season to see them all out there says a lot about the character of the Cardinals as a team. It also shows how much respect Albert’s teammates have for him on and off the field.
And here’s a shocker: Albert Pujols is an amazing golfer! He just continues to prove he is an overall incredible athlete.
Being there also gave me a great chance to improve my developing golf game. One of Albert’s tips was to stop using my Red Sox golf balls.
I’ve got to tell you, it made me a little nervous hitting in the group in front of PGA golfer Chris DiMarco. That and my golf partners calling me Heather Mae really took me out of my game.
Overall, it was a great experience for a great cause, way to go Albert, knocked it out of the park!
So check it out; it’s the Pujols Family and Faith Foundation. They do amazing work with people with Down Syndrome, disabilities, life threatening illnesses, and families struck with poverty in his native Dominican Republic.
Till next time, keep it in the fairway. – Hazel Mae
MLB Network 