Albert Pujols did call the hit and run play in the seventh.

Cards manager Tony La Russa opened his press conference today by defending Albert Pujols, who called for a failed hit-and-run on his own in the seventh inning of the team’s 4-2 loss in Game 5.

“That player gets a lot of leeway and ability to be involved based on how he reads what’s going on. Albert has the ability to put a hit and run on. He has been given that right. It has everything to do with what he has earned.”

I guess player-manager won’t be part of Albert’s free agent contract. 🙂