Edmonds takes issue with La Russa's 'reaction'

ST. LOUIS - If any player knows what Tony La Russa is all about, it's Cubs center fielder Jim Edmonds.

So Edmonds wasn't a bit surprised Friday that La Russa has been trying to make an issue of some recent comments by Edmonds. A couple of weeks back at Wrigley Field, the former Cardinal said: "Whenever you guys get done tying me to the Cardinals, it'll be fine, so I can start getting a little bit of Cubs history in my background."

La Russa, in perhaps an attempt at gamesmanship or control, took that to mean Edmonds wanted nothing to do with the Cardinals and said although he was "disappointed," he would "honor" Edmonds's request.

Edmonds fired back.

"It couldn't be further from the truth, and it's the most asinine thing I've ever heard," he said to a small gathering of reporters in the Cubs' clubhouse before meeting the media. Edmonds added that he was trying to be "respectful" of his new situation with the Cubs.

Edmonds played in St. Louis from 2000-07 before being traded to the San Diego Padres, who released him in May. When he came to the plate to lead off the second inning, he got a nice ovation, with many in the capacity crowd at Busch Stadium standing.

Edmonds said La Russa has to be in charge at all times.

"He was not only what he was to me, he was also my boss," Edmonds said, stressing he and La Russa had a good relationship. "He was also in charge. He likes to have the ultimate say. That's obvious."

Edmonds later theorized that La Russa, as he's wont to do, likes to get things going for a Cubs-Cardinals series.

"This (Cubs) shirt doesn't make me who I am," Edmonds said. "I'm still the same person. I've never changed."

Edmonds also pointed out he has houses in St. Louis and a restaurant and that the bottom line is that La Russa didn't get the right information in the first place or didn't interpret it properly.

"I think he got some misinformation; somebody made something up to make me look like a bad guy," Edmonds said. "I had some of the best years of my life here. Why in the world would I ever do that? The thing that disappoints me is that he would think I would say anything about the organization in a negative way."