Gotta fix those phones

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that Tony LaRussa walked out of the movie, Moneyball as a tribute to his scouts.

"It's our tribute to all the scouts and baseball people that were dissed by Moneyball. That's why I walked out of Moneyball."

LaRussa phone call to the Scouting Department: "Hey guys, guess what I did for you as a tribute!"

Head scout: (pause) "Yeah, we'll take a look at a deaf mute. Just give us his name."

I know your guys like to go to New York and all but...

Ken Rosenthal reported that the Yankees, Rangers and Phillies all had scouts in New York this week to see the Mariners Cliff Lee pitch against the Yankees.

I did a double take when I read this for the obvious reason being:

Why would anybody need to scout Cliff Lee?

He has a 2.45 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP, a .227 BAA and a 78/5 k/walk ratio.

What is a scout going to say?

He's overrated? The numbers are a mirage? I can spot his problems? We probably don't want this guy? He can't help us?

Further, the Phillies reportedly sent a scout and Lee pitched for them as recently as......oh last year.

Would these teams scout Albert Pujols if they were interested?

What could a scout say?

He is not good when the count is 0-2?

Guys, you are wasting your time here, ok?

Watching a Single A game might be more productive.