For the second time this season, Tony La Russa opted to intentionally walk a hitter who was down 1-2 Aug 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa (22) looks on from the dugout during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

When Chicago White Sox fans reminisce about the 2022 season, someone will invariably ask his friends if they remember the time that Tony La Russa decided to intentionally walk a hitter with a 1-2 count. After Friday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians, there will be only one accurate response to that question — “which time?”

In a June game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, La Russa elected to intentionally walk Trea Turner when a wild pitch opened up first base. This was even though Turner was down 1-2 in the count. While that move backfired spectacularly, La Russa vehemently defended it. As it turns out, that defense was not just lip service. La Russa really felt it was the right move. We know this because, on Friday, he did it again.

With Cleveland’s Oscar Gonzalez at the plate, Josh Naylor and Andrés Giménez successfully attempted a double steal. While that put runners on second and third, Chicago’s Jake Diekman was still up 1-2 on Gonzalez. But true to form, La Russa elected to fill the open base, issuing a free pass to Gonzalez.

This time, the move didn’t backfire so bad. La Russa also brought in Jimmy Lambert to pitch. He got the next hitter, Owen Miller, to fly out and end the inning.

Still, La Russa’s decision drew a mountain of criticism.

If anything, we can pretty safely say now that La Russa was not lying recently when he shot down speculation that he used a pinch runner based on a nearby fan’s suggestion. When La Russa has his mind set on something, he does it — regardless of how much sense it actually makes.

[Jomboy Media]

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