Albert Pujols
I was on my way to lunch when I heard the news that the Los Angeles Angels signed Albert Pujols for $254 million (when did they become the Los Angeles Angels? Weren’t they the Anaheim Angels? Then I heard they were the Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles, which made absolutely no sense). Like all St. Louis Cardinals fans, I was very disappointed. But unlike some, I’m not going to treat this like it was baseball’s version of “The Decision” in 2010, where LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat. Cleveland felt betrayed by their hometown hero, and hatred and anger went rampant. I don’t blame Cleveland fans for feeling what they felt. And I think they felt retribution was served when “King James” and his Miami Heat lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.
Pujols batting in our first game at Busch III
Many believe Albert Pujols is the best player in the major leagues. Cardinal fans believe that (at least, some did up until last Thursday). Rookie of the year, 3-time MVP, 3 National League pennants, and 2 World Series champonships. He holds the record of 10 consecutive seasons from the start of his career on hitting .300 with 30+ home runs and 100 RBIs. But most say that 2011 was an “off-year” for Pujols. Slumping during the season, career lows in batting average and RBIs, and missed 13 games due to injury. For most players, Pujols’ 2011 stats would be stellar. Per the New York Times, “Even when Pujols struggles, he excels.”
For me, I had hoped that Albert would have stayed a Cardinal, to be a member of a team for the duration of his career. He may hever supplant Stan Musial, but he would have been right up there with “the Man”. St. Louis adores its Cardinals. Most superstars are usually held in the highest regard by their fans, but nowhere else will you find the support and adoration like you will in St. Louis. Just ask the players, past and current: St. Louis has the best fans in baseball. I don’t think any other town will treat Pujols the same as St. Louis did. It’s disappointing to hear people are “recycling” or even burning their Pujols jerseys. I have Cardinal gear with former players’ names on them, and I still wear them; I know there are other Cardinal fans like me. So let’s be realistic and not take this change so personal like Cleveland did.
I don’t feel hatred or anger towards Pujols. Major League Baseball is a business, and I know Albert did what he felt is best for himself and for his family. For a working man, you and your family ALWAYS comes first. Forget the millions of dollars here for once. If I’m in a position where I excel at my job, and someone else wants to hire me, pay me more, and possibly give me something more that I currently have, I will seriously consider leaving my current employer to join a new team. It will sadden me to leave the group that I have worked with day in and day out and have grown close to, but ultimately, I must put myself and my family first when it comes to a change in my career.
And Albert is an extraordinary person. He is a better person than me when it comes to charitable work. He and his wife Deidre established the Pujols Family Foundation to help those with Down Syndrome (something Deidre’s daughter was born with), and it also aids the poor in his home country of the Dominican Republic. And he is actively involved, whether it be a prom for his friends or delivering supplies to his homeland. To get a better understanding of Albert Pujols outside of baseball, you must read and see his segment on 60 Minutes. It certainly puts things in perspective.
And what about the Cardinals? They’ll be fine. We just won the World Series, for crying out loud. With the exception of Game 3 where he joined Babe Ruth and Reggie Jackson as the only players to hit 3 HRs in a WS game, Pujols was not a major factor (yes, I know in Game 6, he did hit a key double in the 9th that led to a tie game that ultimately… well, you know the rest). The lineup we have is solid. And now we have a little extra money to play with.
Good article on USA Today on the Angels’ signing of Pujols and what it does for baseball.
I’m happy that he was a Cardinal for his first 11 seasons, and each of them were pretty damn awesome. I’m glad that I got to see him play, and although she won’t remember them, I’m happy that my little girl Sophia went to 3 of his baseball games as a Cardinal. Albert, good luck in LA. I wish you all the best with your future endeavors in baseball and in life. Thanks for the memories.
Wild Cards
Great articleon the St. Louis Cardinals.
Cards vs Mets 041810
We took Sophia to her first ballgame Sunday night. Grandma, Grandpa, Daniel and his friend Adam also came along to see the Cardinals take on the NY Mets. Sophia enjoyed just about every bit of the game: the ride over on the Metrolink (“Choo Choo!”), the music, Fredbird (“Tweet Tweet!”), the fireworks from Rasmus’ homer, and Cracker Jacks. We can’t wait to take her again. As always, click the image above for the photo set (I didn’t take many photos; I wanted to enjoy the game).
Smoltz as a Cardinal
I said this before on Twitter; I hope he has the same good fortune as Holliday, Lugo, and DeRosa are having since they joined the team.
(post to test ping.fm)
lots and lots of pictures
Ok. Here’s a handful of photos taken since late June. Very sorry that it’s taken me so long to get these up. It’s not like I had much else going on this summer, like helping implement a new blood gas system for our respiratory department, troubleshooting problematic handheld devices for the phlebotomists in our lab, representing my IT department as its customer service advisor, taking 2 vacations, and, OH YEAH … help CL care for and raise our 14-month old daughter. So, without further ado…
HSHS Motherhouse – My employer sent me along with a select group on a pilgrimage to our corporate headquarters in Springfield IL. I at first had my reservations about the trip, but after having gone, I’m glad I did. Definitely a sight to see.
Splash City – when my family was in town, Christine, Sophia, and I took my sister, her husband, and their daughter to this local water park for some summertime fun.
Gateway Arch – this was my 2nd trip to the top of this St Louis landmark. Again, we took the out-of-towners along for the ride.
Cards vs Giants – our 2nd game of the year, and Rochelle’s family’s first time to Busch Stadium.
Busch Stadium tour – didn’t know we could tour the stadium, but we’re glad we did.
Branson – Sophia’s first road trip/vacation.
hummingbird – just having fun with the camera in my in-laws’ backyard (aren’t y’all tired of lookin’ at baby pictures?)
What’s that? Where’s Sophia’s latest photos? See the next post…
Cards vs Royals 052209
Christine and I were able to attend the ballgame Friday night (tickets courtesy of a friend). It was a very nice afternoon/evening. We had comfortable temps until the sun went down, the air became still, and the humidity creeped up. The seats were great, the food was expensive, and the atmosphere was fun. Cardinals were leading 2-0 when we decided to call it a night; they eventually won 5-0. Click the image above for the photo set.
Busch Stadium 2008
Photos taken at the ballgame on Saturday.
Busch Stadium
Exiting Busch Stadium after the Cardinals beat the Washington Nationals 5-4 (as viewed from the Eastbound Metrolink ramp; taken by my cellphone).
Jocketty out; LaRussa next?
Jocketty out after 13 years as Cards’ GM (ESPN.com)
St. Louis won six NL Central titles, one wild card and two NL pennants under Jocketty. After failing to spend much on free agents last winter, the Cardinals faded to a 78-84 record this year and a third-place finish behind Chicago and Milwaukee.
Injuries to key players didn’t help either.
unlucky 7
The Cardinals had surged from 10½ games out at the end of June to within a game of first place in the NL Central before hitting the road and hitting the skids. The latest loss dropped them 4½ games out.
Embarrassing. I can’t watch anymore.
redbirds on fire
The Redbirds, who have been as far as 10.5 games out of first place, now trail the Brewers by 2.5 and the Cubs by two. On July 27, they were nine back, but since then they’ve beaten Milwaukee six straight times. St. Louis’ five-game winning streak overall is its longest of the year. The Redbirds are 7-1 in their last eight games and 8-2 in their last 10, each a season-best stretch.
Sweet. I might actually start watching baseball again.
Cards reliever killed in car crash
There will be no baseball played tonight in St Louis as the Cardinals mourn the passing of pitcher Josh Hancock.
celebration
Cards faithful share in team’s glory (MLB.com)
On a perfect day, St Louis celebrates (MLB.com)
Never mind the chill and rain that plagued the World Series — on Sunday, when thousands upon thousands of St. Louisans and Cardinals fans took to the streets of downtown, Mother Nature delivered a day perfectly designed for festivities.
I'm a Cardinals fan
… in case you didn’t know.
The St Louis Cardinals are World Champions, and I couldn’t be any happier! As a fan, it always feels good to be part of the celebration when your team wins. However, not being from St Louis, you’d think I’d stay true to my original faves.
I’m a Cardinals fan
… in case you didn’t know.
The St Louis Cardinals are World Champions, and I couldn’t be any happier! As a fan, it always feels good to be part of the celebration when your team wins. However, not being from St Louis, you’d think I’d stay true to my original faves.
WS Game 5 – St Louis 4, Detroit 2
Cardinals secure first title since 1982 (MLB.com)
Jeff Weaver gave yet another brilliant playoff performance, twirling eight innings with just four hits and two runs — one earned. Weaver, known for postseason letdowns before this year, pitched as effectively, as consistently, as any Cardinals starter this October.
big mistake?
No Rogers in Game 5? No chance for Tigers (Wojciechowski – ESPN.com)
‘This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains.’
The Tigers finally hit the ball, but the catching and throwing part? Not so much. For that they can blame themselves, as well as the Cardinals, who continue to grind down the Tigers into baseball mulch.
WS Game 4 – St Louis 5, Detroit 4
Cards one win from title after thriller (MLB.com)
They call the new Busch Stadium “Baseball Heaven”. It seems all of St Louis showed up at the pearly gates, and David Eckstein led the way. Eck was 4 for 5 with 2 RBIs and 3 doubles, including the game-winner in the bottom of the 8th.
WS Game 3 – St Louis 5, Detroit 0
Carpenter dominant in Fall Classic debut (MLB.com)
Everyone’s underdog is now everyone’s favorite (Wojciechowski – ESPN.com)
The Tigers are playing as if they’ll be charged a late fee if the Series lasts seven games. Carpenter handcuffed them to the bedpost and noogied them to death, allowing just three hits, issuing no walks and striking out six.
rambling
So much is happening these days, I don’t even know where to begin.
My headaches come and go. Work is not as stressful as I try to continue to separate both jobs. I was assured that my replacement will be starting in a few weeks. With the remodel finished, IT is somewhat back to normal.
WS Game 1 – St Louis 7, Detroit 2
Cards shock Tigers in Game 1 behind rookie Reyes (ESPN.com)
Don’t count Cards out so quickly (Wojciechowski – ESPN.com)
We loved the Cardinals — until mid-June. Then they became the Chicago Cubs, then the Cardinals, then the Cubs, and then who-knows-what by the end of the season. Whatever they were, they didn’t look like a team that was going to require a victory parade. But now the romance is back, or at least it should be after the way the Cardinals sent the Tigers to the chop shop. They neutered the soldout and once-geeked Comerica Park crowd. And they neutralized the Tigers’ home-field advantage.
Cards win classic Game 7
“I was praying to God,” said Yadier Molina, “to keep that ball away from Endy Chavez.”
Suppan is superb; Cards lead series 2-1
Suppan goes deep — at the plate and on the mound (Stark – ESPN.com)
It isn’t every night, you know, that you can turn on an October baseball game and see a pitcher hit a home run.
It really isn’t every night that you can turn on an October baseball game and see a pitcher hit a home run and throw eight shutout innings against the best lineup in the league.
