La Russa, Rolen back on speaking terms

JUPITER, Fla. -- Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and third baseman Scott Rolen are talking again, and both agree the rift that began in the 2006 postseason is over.

The two shook hands last week outside La Russa's office at the St. Louis Cardinals' spring training complex. The two had not spoken since the disagreement began five months ago.

"It's a dead issue," Rolen said Monday. "It's healthy to be a dead issue. Walking around with a wall between you isn't very healthy for any relationship."

La Russa said he never had an "issue" with Rolen, even as their deteriorating relationship became sensationalized during the Cardinals' World Series run last October.

"There were some problems there when he didn't play," La Russa said. "Scott gets treated the way he deserves to be treated, which is as an outstanding player and is one of our leaders. I never had any issue with it. Never."

The split started in late September when Rolen was not in the lineup for a critical game against the Astros and pitcher Roy Oswalt. Rolen complained he was being "benched."

La Russa, believing Rolen's tender shoulder was negatively impacting his swing, sat Rolen for Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Padres and Game 2 of the NLCS against the Mets. Rolen had been 1-for-14 in the postseason after Game 1 of the NLCS.

"It was a struggle I had off the field," Rolen said. "You're in a pressure situation, playing in the playoffs, then to have to deal with some other stuff sitting on your shoulders. That's tough."

Rolen, though, responded on the field. He hit safely in the final 10 postseason games and finished the World Series with a .421 average, including three doubles and a home run.

Rolen and La Russa ignored each other during the team's Winter Warmup. Finally, Cardinals General Manager Walt Jocketty brought the two together last week.

"It's behind us and we're going forward," Jocketty said.

Said Rolen: "I just caught him in the hall the second day and said 'that's it, turn the page, let's just go play baseball."'