Pujols question

[Bothrops Atrox]

I'll second that I am still a Pujols fan. I could not believe it when he left and yes, I know it is a business. I understand money but after so many million what then matters? He would have been the next Stan the Man. He gave that up. Still, I am a fan of his and do my best to check each day during the season to see how he does. I wish him well and do know that he is a good man. His work with Down's Syndrome Children is heartwarming and it shows that he is more than just a baseball player.

It isn't about the dollars for these guys, it is about pride. Pujols saw inferior players like Howard, Tex, and A-Gon getting paid 25 million a year, and when the Cards offered him less than 20, he didn't think that was fair market value. When other teams offered him 25+, and the Cards upped it to 20-22, what is he supposed to do? Right or wrong, the other teams wanted him more - I can't fault him for leaving.

If it were just about $$$ he would have gone to Miami for several million more per year.

[Cannonball]

I'll second that I am still a Pujols fan. I could not believe it when he left and yes, I know it is a business. I understand money but after so many million what then matters? He would have been the next Stan the Man. He gave that up. Still, I am a fan of his and do my best to check each day during the season to see how he does. I wish him well and do know that he is a good man. His work with Down's Syndrome Children is heartwarming and it shows that he is more than just a baseball player.

[Herr28]

Just trolling along through our old threads and found this one. I was also feeling bad for Albert. Angels "fans" on mlb.com were mercilessly slamming him during that horrible homerless streak, which another poster mentioned was only slightly longer than the one he had during the season in 2011. I am happy he got it done, though his BA took a big hit. He still finished with very good numbers across the board, just not the Pujols caliber stats he wracked up with the Redbirds.

The Angels site here has a thread asking if he can break any of their franchise records. I think he can. I'd like to see him topple their HR record, as that would put him right around Bonds' career mark! He was a great player, obviously, but as we all know here, there wasn't any way we would pay him the amount he wanted for another decade. The Angels will have to deal with that burden in a few years. Hopefully they can get a title to make it all go down easier when he is at home bagging 20+ mil a year!

Good luck Albert! Thanks for the great memories! We'll see you in Cooperstown with that "StL" on your cap!

[DerekD]

He's not on your team, but do Cardinal fans feel bad for what he's going through? I know I wouldnt.

I agree with why he had to go and wish him well and I hope he continues to be as successful as he was in St. Louis. That said, I don't feel bad at all for him.

As far as his homerless streak went, he barely eclipsed the one he had last year if I'm not mistaken. It just looked worse because it came at the beginning of the season with his new team. He's going to be just fine.

[csh19792001]

He's not on your team, but do Cardinal fans feel bad for what he's going through? I know I wouldnt.

Yes. Very much so.

[Bothrops Atrox]

Didn't they offer him something along the lines of 200 million for nine years?

Less than that. Much less that Ryan Howard was given the season before. And less than Tex and A-Gon were given the year before. Coming off of a near Triple Crown in 2010, I can understand why he was upset. And then when Miami and LA not only offered him significantyl more money, but a front-office job (that the Cardinals refused) it was a no-brainer for him to leave.

[cbenson5]

Yes. I still like him. Don't blame him one bit - the Cards did not want him back (for solid reasons) and under-offered him. I hope he finds it and succeeds.

Didn't they offer him something along the lines of 200 million for nine years?

[Bothrops Atrox]

He's not on your team, but do Cardinal fans feel bad for what he's going through? I know I wouldnt.

Yes. I still like him. Don't blame him one bit - the Cards did not want him back (for solid reasons) and under-offered him. I hope he finds it and succeeds.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

He's not on your team, but do Cardinal fans feel bad for what he's going through? I know I wouldnt.