Carlos Ruiz to Catch Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey in All-Star Game; Matt Cain to Start for N.L.

Who is the better catcher, Buster Posey or Carlos Ruiz?  While the voters may have said Posey, National League manager Tony La Russa thinks that Ruiz is best suited to handle the most difficult catching challege of the day: New York Mets pitcher and knuckleballer R.A. Dickey.

Today, Tony La Russa said he will have Chooch warm up with Dickey and they can then enter the game together.  I would not be surprised if Cole Hamels followed Dickey since La Russa often prefers to match his All-Star pitchers with their catchers whenever possible.

The Giants' Matt Cain will be the All-Star Game starter for the National League to match up with his catcher Posey.  Dickey has the better record at 12-1, but with the starters being voted in, La Russa felt this was the best way to use what was given to him.  La Russa also said that Dickey would pitch "in the first half of the game", so this game will be mostly a Chooch event.  Third catcher Yadier Molina will miss the game with an injury and another catcher was not selected.

This move should be considered a compliment that La Russa feels he is best-suited to catch the wild flight of the Dickey knuckleball.  After all, Chooch could handle Brad Lidge's slider, right?

Of course, Matt Cain thought R.A. Dickey should start.