Trouble Brewing in Jupiter

Word down here in Jupiter is that the Cardinals have released Scott Spiezio, based on his the outstanding warrant for his arrest in California.

“We had heard some things about this,” Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. “Ultimately nothing was ever confirmed to the level it was today. To have this warrant put out there, it completely changes the landscape of what we’re dealing with.”

The more interesting quote comes from manager Tony LaRussa, who when asked about the release stated:

“I think it’s a consistent message about what the team represents.”

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

OK, we won’t get on LaRussa for his DUI charge last spring. Nor will we point out the unfortunate death of Josh Hancock due to a drunk-driving acccident. Never mind Rick Ankiel and his HGH deliveries. The St. Louis Cardinals are not going to associate themselves with people who break the law!

Believe me, I’m not losing any sleep over Spiezio’s dismissal, and I won’t miss that stupid-looking large-mouth bass lure hanging from his bottom lip.

But you have to wonder — what if it was Chris Carpenter or Albert Pujols in this situation? Would the Cardinals take the same hard line? I do understand this is Spiezio’s “second strike” — he was put into a substance-abuse program during the season last year — but is he being released solely because of his legal issues or because of his baggage and the fact he’s a fringe player at this point in his career? Methinks if Spiezio was a 24-year-old lefty who threw 95 MPH, he’d still be in the organization — getting third, fourth, and fifth strikes if necessary.

Enough of that … will be posting on the Mets and the baseball playing from here on …