PHOENIX — The day after he declined to get involved in a sticky situation and, in his words, “undress” the opposing pitcher on the mound during a World Series game his Cardinals would eventually lose, possibly because of his choice, Tony La Russa sat down in the media room and brand-new Busch Stadium and invited questions.
“Last night you said it wasn’t important to talk about the dirt on Kenny Rogers’ hand …” a reporter began.
“First question?” La Russa responded. “I lost the bet.”
He then launched into a 997-word answer.
The Cardinals manager described what went into his decision the night before, during Game 2 of the 2006 World Series, to alert the umpires about a smudge on Detroit lefty Rogers’ hand – and not raise a formal raucous that might have bounced Rogers from the game for using an illegal substance.