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The player La Russa wants everyone to see is Yadier Molina, the 25-year-old catcher.
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"This kid's got it all," La Russa said. And now Molina has even more, having signed a $15 million, 4-year contract in late January. "You have to be careful giving that kind of money, because some guys will change. Not Yadier, he's mature beyond his years, and he's a great catcher. Our pitchers don't have to worry about the running game, all they have to do it pitch."
I asked La Russa what it is about Puerto Rico, or the Molina family, that has produced so many major league catchers. Of the 41 Puerto Ricans who played in the majors last year, 13 were catchers. Bengie Molina, of course, is with the San Francisco Giants and brother, Jose, a two-time Gold Glove winner, is with the Yankees.
"Every young kid in Puerto Rico sees the legacy," said La Russa of names like Sandy Alomar Jr., Benito Santiago and Pudge Rodriguez. "They all develop strong arms."
Yadier's father, Benjamin Sr., an infielder/outfielder for 15 years in Puerto Rico's Superior League, started all three brothers at first base.
"But kids have learned that the quickest way to the majors is to be a catcher," La Russa said.
The final discussion of the night turned to trivia. Accorsi asked La Russa to name the Cardinals' 1954 starting lineup, which Accorsi had witnessed as a teenager.
La Russa started poorly, missing catcher Bill Sarni and first baseman Joe Cunningham, but gathered steam in naming legendary Red Schoendienst and shortstop Alex Grammas. Then it got ridiculous, as Accorsi and La Russa argued about whether the fifth batter was Ray Jablonski or Rip Repulski.
"It was Jabo," yelled La Russa ... "It was Rip," yelled Accorsi, who added that Repulski's real name was Eldon.
It was time for dessert.
