La Russa frets over forecasts for team

By Joe Strauss
03/06/2002


VERO BEACH, Fla. -- The good news for the Cardinals is they know they have a gifted, well-constructed team.

The bad news, according to their manager, could be the same.

Concerned about early assumptions, a growing list of aches and pains and an environment of heavy expectations, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa believes those both inside and outside his clubhouse need to maintain a more "real" perspective about what lies ahead.

"Experts can predict and fans should get excited," La Russa said. "I think somewhere in there we have to be realistic. It's real exciting that we have a legitimate chance. But you've got to realize there are other legitimate chances around. That should help you get ready to max out your chance."

Without naming names, La Russa said he was bothered by the cavalier attitude displayed by some upon learning Sunday of right fielder J.D. Drew's aggravated ankle injury.

La Russa would only say that the comments came from uniformed personnel. Consumed by maintaining an edge throughout a promising season, the manager couldn't let it go.

"Somebody walked in the other day and said we were deep enough if J.D. is not the player we expected him to be. It was like, 'So what's the big deal?'" recalled La Russa.

"I mean, let's be real. Our key guys have to show up and have good years. I expect that to happen. But you've got to be kidding. You just don't go out and play without J.D. The same goes with our pitchers."

Jupiter has become a favorite landing pad for national publications this spring. The Cardinals are conceded to have one of the game's deepest pitching staffs and most intriguing lineups. La Russa's concern is that lofty prognostications cultivate a play-on-command attitude.

"I've gotten the flavor a couple times in the clubhouse," La Russa said, allowing the thought to dangle before resuming. "Hey, there's no script to this thing. It's to be decided on the field. There are clubs as good as we are on paper. Maybe a club or two better."

As solid as the Cardinals appear, they don't possess an obvious answer should either Drew or center fielder Jim Edmonds be lost for an extended period. La Russa has mused several times this spring about what Drew might accomplish should he amass more than 500 at-bats. Injuries have prevented him from compiling more than 407 at-bats in any of his four major-league seasons.

"For us to be a good, a contending club, we have to have a bunch of stuff happen. The guys who are supposed to drive in 90 to 110 runs have to drive in 90 to 110," La Russa said.

Drew did not accompany the team to Vero Beach on Tuesday to allow his sprained left ankle further rest. Lefthanded starter Rick Ankiel missed a scheduled side session Tuesday and has been scratched from Friday's start against the Minnesota Twins because of elbow stiffness.

The latest inconvenience occurred Monday when closer Jason Isringhausen was scratched from his scheduled appearance because of elbow stiffness. Isringhausen, whose only appearance this spring was against the New York Mets last Friday, remained at the Cardinals' complex in Jupiter on Tuesday to receive treatment and throw on the side.

Drew is expected to play again by this weekend, and Isringhausen's second appearance has been rescheduled for Thursday.

Ankiel's status remains more vague. He will be re-examined by team doctors on Thursday. If cleared, he will throw a side session and be slotted for a start next Wednesday.

"There's enough good going on that you're still excited but it isn't so great that we shouldn't be concerned about having a couple people drop out," La Russa said.

Drew's ankle problems are particulary disconcerting because there is little fallback for the potential loss of his power at bat. Drew has twice been slowed by the ankle, once after stepping in a divot while shagging balls Feb. 18, and again last Sunday while performing conditioning drills.

"It's not serious as far as knocking him out of action for a long time, but he's already missed time. We're starting the second week of play and this is twice he's gone out," La Russa said.

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