Forget Yankees-Red Sox, the Cardinals and Reds are beginning to take over the title of best rivalry in baseball. Things got heated last August when Brandon Phillips called the Cards a bunch of bitches. His insult led to a bench-clearing brawl the next day, and matters are still testy between both sides. Of course it doesn’t help when you have dimwits like Gerald Laird opening his yapper.
Let’s set the stage.
The Cardinals were down 9-2 headed to the ninth inning Sunday against Cincinnati. Aroldis Chapman walked in a run and exited with the bases loaded. Nick Masset relieved him and gave up a two-run double to make it 9-5, so Cincinnati brought in closer Francisco Cordero. Cordero gave up a two-run double to Nick Punto to make it 9-7 and then he hit Albert Pujols with an 0-2 pitch to make it make runners on first and second with only one out.
Let’s frame the situation once again: Reds are blowing a 9-2 lead in the ninth, the closer is in the game, and he has the hottest 3-4-5 hitters in the game to face between Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday, and Lance Berkman. Cordero hits Pujols with an 0-2 pitch bringing the winning run to the plate — Matt Holliday. Do you really think Cordero was trying to hit Pujols? Of course not, but pea-brained Gerald Laird thought so.
Cordero got the next two outs to end the game and that’s when words were exchanged between both sides. Cordero began yelling into the Cardinals’ dugout, explaining why:
“I think it was because I hit Pujols 0-2, Gerald Laird was all loud in the dugout. He was yelling at me and pointing at me and saying a whole bunch of stuff. Out of all the guys that are great hitters, great players, Gerald Larid doesn’t even play. He’s the one yelling at me because I hit Pujols 0-2. 0-2! I wasn’t trying to hit him. I’ve got to face (Matt) Holliday next, who can take the lead with one swing, and he’s yelling at me. All I know is he was loud, so I said something back to him.”
It’s understandable that Cordero reacted after the game was over, but what doesn’t make sense is why Laird ran his yapper. Why would anyone want to put Pujols on with Holliday and Berkman coming up next, not to mention while having an 0-2 count? Oh wait, I forgot — Laird is a goon with an IQ lower than the Geico caveman. It does make sense.
As Mo Egger wrote, “You expect me to take Gerald Laird seriously? Do any Cardinals even take Gerald Laird seriously? Does Gerald Laird’s family take Gerald Laird seriously?” To answer the last question, yes, I believe Laird’s brother would take him seriously. What a clown.
