Bottom 2: Rene Tosoni struck out swinging against C.C. Sabathia

Bottom 4: Tosoni struck out on a foul tip against Sabathia

Bottom 6: Tosoni struck out swinging against Sabathia

Bottom 8: Tosoni struck out swinging against David Robertson

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

Notes: Tosoni’s golden sombrero on Thursday was his second of the season.  The rookie is now slashing .191/.255/.298 and has fanned 25 times in 94 at-bats.  While he does have some pop in his bat, his playing time will decrease once Michael Cuddyer is healthy.

Final Line: 91

This has been quite the week for Bryce Harper.  It started with him hitting a 480-foot, walk-off BOMB to dead center.  Then came the video of the phenom failing to run out a double play ball — failing isn’t even the right word; he basically came to a screeching stop.  And now, to culminate the eventful week, here is a video of Harper pulling his hamstring while going first to third on a single.

Considering that I live in St. Louis, I have the opportunity to watch every locally televised Cardinals game, which, as you will see, is both a good and bad thing.  While I admittedly find Al Hrabosky and Dan McLaughlin’s drunken diatribes to be occasionally entertaining (notice that I didn’t say enlightening), it’s the cheap, thoughtless commercials like the one below that make watching the broadcast worthwhile.

So, without further ado, here is quite possibly the most pathetic local commercial ever created, starring Cardinals skipper, Tony LaRussa.  Bite your lip, because it’s pretty rough.

A few thoughts and notes on this 15-second masterpiece:

– How does organizing a shoot like this happen? You can’t script something this brutal.

– Shame on the Cardinals for allowing this commercial to happen, let alone reach the air. Someone needs to lose their job, in addition to TLR, obviously.

– Wow…Martin Short’s career has really gone downhill. This is somehow even worse than Primetime with Jimmy Glick.

– I like how the re-enactment of a game-like situation is even complete with a TLR unenthused reaction.

– Shame on the person who talked Tony out of wearing the matching jean jacket.

– Who the hell would allow that weasely little guy in the dugout? Furthermore, could they have at least instructed him to eat an authentic ballpark food? Seriously, the guy’s eating

popcorn.

– Is this before or after TLR’s bout of casserole eye?

– I’d hope that the Vinson Mortgage Group client base has dwindled since this first aired.  But considering how many (dumb) people love Tony in St. Louis, he’s probably making bank.

– You’re only cheating yourself by pretending you haven’t watched it multiple times.

As we all already know, Bryce Harper possesses an insane amount of talent.  But over the months rumors have circulated regarding his perceived aloofness and poor makeup.  The 18-year-old phenom has been repeatedly criticized for his refusal to sign autographs; he blew a kiss at the opposing pitcher after taking him deep; and he’s nearly started several brawls.  In my opinion, however, the following video is the worst of them all. I could care less how big a prick he is towards the other team — in fact, I dig his competitiveness.  But for him to treat the game with such disrespect is wrong, and the fact that the Nationals organization doesn’t reprimand him is a joke.  Having said all that, he’s still easily the best prospect in baseball.