FanHouse Al Hrabosky

Do you ever get the feeling that Cardinals manager Tony La Russa just really needs a hug? It seems that he's always mad at somebody or some thing. Whether he's suing Twitter because somebody started a fake account in his name, complaining about the Cubs or feuding with former players like Jim Edmonds, the man just seems to have a chip on his shoulder. I'm actually waiting for the day when he calls out the sun for having an East Coast bias for rising in New York an hour before it does in St. Louis.

So it's no shock that there's somebody else who has caught La Ire of La Russa, but it is somewhat surprising that it's a member of the Cardinals extended family this time. It seems La Russa is upset with Cardinals television broadcaster and former Redbirds pitcher Al Hrabosky.

What a long, strange trip it has been for Gary Pinkel and the Missouri Tigers. Pinkel began his career in Columbia with a rather pedestrian 37-35 record. Because of that Pinkel, spent quite a bit of time riding a warm seat. But all that changed following last year's 12-2 breakout season.

So how far has Pinkel come? He's now reached ceremonial first pitch status, on Opening Day, no less!

"Pinkel, the 2007 Big 12 Conference co-Coach of the Year, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for Monday's game. It is not currently known what kind of pitch the former tight end will be going with, but his repertoire reportedly consists of a slow ball, a slower ball and something resembling an eephus pitch.

The FieldTurf 2007 National Coach of the Year will also appear for a stint in the broadcast booth as guests of Fox Sports Net Midwest for the Cardinals telecast. Pinkel is scheduled to appear in the top of the third inning for the game with FSN broadcasters Dan McLaughlin and Al Hrabosky."

I don't know what kind of pitching repertoire Pinkel actually possesses, but it seems his he lobbed his biggest curveball at college football fans who assumed he was a dead man walking years ago.