With the Cardinals still shocked from their Game 6 loss to the Houston Astros, reliever Ray King told the amassed media that he would rather be traded than ignored in the postseason.
King stood by his words on Thursday, and it brought a quick response from manager Tony La Russa.
“If he didn’t want to pitch me, then he should’ve told me to stay home. Just be straight about it,” said King.
A fan favorite who struggled during 2005, King said he was insulted by La Russa having him warm up to pitch the ninth inning Wednesday and then calling on closer Jason Isringhausen.
“If they didn’t think I was pitching well enough, then tell me. But that didn’t keep them from using Morris. If they don’t think I can pitch in the postseason, put me on the block. Somebody will pick me up.”
La Russa opened the door to a trade.
“If that’s the way he feels, Ray should have his agent contact the other 29 teams. We’ll do what we can to satisfy him.”
