Losing a Hero
December 15, 2011
The average working American makes about $31,111 in a calendar year. As a Los Angeles Angel, Albert Pujols will make five times that amount in a game.
A few months ago, if you went down to Busch Stadium around 7:00 p.m. there would be a sea of red Cardinals jerseys. Many would read “PUJOLS” on the back, showing our city’s support for their baseball legend. Now, $254 million later, those jerseys will be put in a basement cellar, where they will stay, collecting dust, until Pujols somehow makes amends to hurt and disappointed Cardinal fans.
Pujols played 11 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. He ripped 445 home runs, won three MVP awards, and brought his team two World Championships. This, Pujols said, was his ultimate goal. Well, if it truly was his goal, then wouldn’t he want good players around him? Wouldn’t he want the Cardinals to sign free agents like Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman, to make the dream of winning a championship possible? Apparently not.
Buster Olney, a well noted ESPN baseball analyst, has said that he thinks Pujols’ pride was hurt because the Cardinals didn’t make more of an effort to sign him and instead pursued free agent Matt Holliday two winters ago.
Pujols obviously wasn’t making his choice to win championships, he was doing it to make the most money as possible. Or maybe not. Maybe Albert’s ego just wanted the world to know, “I am the best. Look at my contract.”
Once someone gets $200 million, how much extra money really matters? It’s enough money to last him, his children, and his grandchildren for a lifetime. That is not even taking into account all the money he made as a Cardinal or through ad contracts.
As a lifelong Cardinal fan I am hurt by the situation. Baseball is one of the biggest parts of my life and always has been. Some of my first memories are of Pujols rounding the bases after a homer.
Now, those memories are tainted. All I can think about is Pujols leaving the city of St. Louis, leaving the Cardinals, and leaving me, over pride and a higher contract.
That said, I do not know how I would have reacted in the situation. It is a lot of money and its hard to blame a guy for taking it.
The truth is, we will never really know what was going through our once beloved first baseman’s head on that fateful Thursday morning he decided to leave. What we do know is that it hurts, it’s sad, and we lost one of our city’s legends.
(Photo by: Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/MCT)
Stephanie Graff • Dec 20, 2011 at 11:39 am
Excellent article Peter. You are absolutely right when you said we will never really know and that we are sad. Everyone needs to keep in mind how much enjoyment (not to mention income) Pujols brought to our city. That doesn’t go away.
It also makes me sad that the choice of being sad was the least popular in your poll because it is the most forgiving choice. Is it our place to judge? Why is it even important at this point. Everyone moves on.
So, everyone can put those shirts away, they’ll be pretty cool to wear in 20 years just like a Brett Hull Blues jersey would be today.
Anne • Dec 19, 2011 at 5:44 pm
I very much enjoyed your artcle! It is sad that Pujhols made the decision he did. Being from Cleveland, I have experienced this level of greed before with LeBron James. Sports salaries are definitely out of hand! Baseball is still a great game and meant to be enjoyed as a game – not a business. Play ball!
Carol • Dec 19, 2011 at 5:13 pm
I remember when my childhood hero, Keith Hernandez, fell from grace…then my adult hero, Mark McGwire, did the same. It’s a bummer! GREAT for you to put it into words, Peter. You’re a great writer and I thank you for sharing this.
Stacy George • Dec 19, 2011 at 11:48 am
Phenomenal writer! Wow!
Andrew • Dec 19, 2011 at 10:17 am
Great commentary, Peter. I share your disappointment. I was struck by the fact that no matter how much money a person makes, what really matters is that they are valued by their employers. I think the Cards showed AP lots of love, but clearly he wanted more–not only money but the confidence of a 10 year contract during the pre-season negotiations. Your disappointment is shared for sure. Really nice analysis!
Miggie Greenberg • Dec 19, 2011 at 8:51 am
Nice job! You are on your way.
Hunter Torres • Dec 19, 2011 at 12:53 am
Good job, Peter. I know this story strikes a deep chord for you and your readers! Thanks for sharing your view.
Maureen • Dec 18, 2011 at 9:44 pm
It’s hard when we discover our heroes are “just” people too. 🙁
Great article. I’m a proud aunt so I’m going to share it on my Facebook page!
Aron • Dec 17, 2011 at 8:36 pm
I see what you mean but I don’t understand how pujols’s pride was hurt the cardinals were making a negotiation and both sides should be more understanding.
Bill • Dec 16, 2011 at 9:04 am
Curt Gibson?
Rod • Dec 16, 2011 at 9:01 am
My bad. Meant Bob Gibson, not C(K)urt Gibson.
Rod • Dec 16, 2011 at 7:00 am
I understand your hurt, but Pujols made his choice based on what he felt was best for him and his family. Fans and ownership can be,and are, very fickled in their loyalty. Just ask Tom Seaver and his experience with the Mets ownership or Ryan Sandberg. And you, Peter, are also mainly concerned how now do you go on. Albert gave the fans of the Cardinals eleven great years of pride and excitement. Now he’s going to share that pride and excitement with more fans on the west coast. It hurts you, but time will heal that hurt and Albert will be remembered in St Louis as one of the great players for the Cardinals along with Stan Musial, Curt Gibson, Lou Brock, et al.
Peter Baugh • Dec 15, 2011 at 10:39 pm
Thank you!
Timothy Smith • Dec 15, 2011 at 9:11 pm
Great story Peter!