May 4 - The Loser of the Week - Tony LaRussa

This week’s LOSER OF THE WEEK is Tony LaRussa. LaRussa is the Manager of the St. Louis Cardinals’ baseball team.

LaRussa inserted himself into the news this week after one of his players, Josh Hancock, was killed in an early morning traffic accident. LaRussa told the reporters not to “rush to judgment” and to respect the player.

Let’s review the facts on why LaRussa cannot be the MORAL AUTHORITY on this issue.

1. Hancock was involved in an accident last Thursday at 5:35 a.m. He stated he couldn’t sleep so he went driving. Apparently, driving poorly.

2. Hancock was unable to pitch in that Thursday’s game because he was late for the game and hung over. This may have been a call for help, but it went unanswered by LaRussa and the Cardinals.

3. Early on Sunday morning, Hancock was involved in a fatal car accident. Here is what we now know of the accident.

- Hancock was drunk (blood-alcohol level was 0.157) and talking on his cell phone at the time of his fatal accident. He was speaking to a female, making plans to meet her at another bar.

- Marijuana (8.55 grams) was found in the RENTED sport utility vehicle he was driving. Remember, he had had an accident less than three days prior so he had to rent a car.

-Hancock was not wearing a seat belt and was probably killed instantly.

Cardinal officials expressed sadness at the news and said the team will re-examine what it can do to warn players of the dangers of drinking and driving.

Before the game today, the team banned alcohol in the clubhouse in what LaRussa termed a largely symbolic move. The Cardinals also were considering banning alcohol on the road.

Here is why LaRussa is the LOSER OF THE WEEK. He is the MANAGER. Here is how he leads by example.

LaRussa was arrested on a drunken driving charge in Jupiter, Fla., in March. According to Jupiter Police Department reports, LaRussa was found slumped over at the wheel of a Ford SUV that had stopped in a traffic intersection around midnight. After repeated knocks at the window, LaRussa awoke. His blood alcohol level was measured at 0.093. LaRussa's booking photo is on the right.

LaRussa’s player, Hancock, joined the Cardinals in spring training last season after Cincinnati released him for violating a weight clause in his contract. Was Cincinnati prophetic about Hancock’s lack of self-control or did they just pass the buck?

Hancock was a gifted athlete. All he needed to do was to keep his weight down and life in order. The Cardinals turned a ‘blind eye” to Hancock’s problems because when he was sober he was a good pitcher. In fact, Hancock was a key reason the Cardinals won the World Series last year.

LaRussa doesn’t have to be the babysitter, but he shouldn’t chastise reporters for doing their job as he did this week.

There is a “Code of Silence” about player behavior when it comes to drinking, drugs, steroids, and adultery. They are not infallible, and apparently they can’t sustain massive injuries while not wearing a seat beat and expect to survive.

Everyone wants to call the accident “TRAGIC.” I call it a “WASTE.”

LaRussa shares complicity in the death of Hancock and that is why he is THE LOSER OF THE WEEK.