A Champagne High?

While most St. Louis Cardinal fans are still gleaming with the World Series win, the heart and soul of the Cardinals flew to the GM Meetings and signed a monsterous contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.   Is that what they are called?  I can’t remember as they change the name once to many times.  Remember when they were the California Angels?   Sorry, I got a little sidetracked, but that happens when you get a bomb placed on your computer screen that reads “Angels to sign Albert Pujols”.  At first I thought it was speculation, but as I read the article further (www.mlbtraderumors.com), the realization of life without Sir Albert set in.   I received emails, texts and BBM’s from my friends and a phone call from my brother sending me their condolences.   For that, I thank them.

Like most Cardinal and baseball fans, I really thought that he would return to the Cardinals.   My brother asked me a good question today.   He asked if Tony LaRussa was still the manager in St.  Louis, would Albert have re-signed.  My answer is yes.   You can say what you want about LaRussa, good or bad.  But to Albert, he was great and he loved playing for him.  With that being said, Pujols did actually play with the new manager Mike Matheny in the early 2000′s.   Of course, this is all opinion and I don’t know obviously what Albert was thinking.  But here are some reasons as to why he should’ve remained a Cardinal.

1. He practically owned the hearts of everyone in St. Louis.
2. In my opinion, he played for the redbirds and not for individual numbers
3. How much money does a man need?
4. His charities
5. The countless people(not just kids) who looked up to him.  Not just as a player, but as a person.
6. To play for one team for an entire career.

In regards to #4;  Did you know that he donates over a million dollars a year to his own charity and thousand of dollars to others?   As for #5, Albert lived a clean life, no drugs, mistresses, alcohol or profane language.  He was devoted to his wife, children, faith and his team.  An all around great guy.

Now #6 is what disturbs me the most.  I believe that he is the last of the ‘greats’ to have a long tenure on one team.  Sadly, I do not believe that we will ever see a ‘great’ play his entire career for one organization.  Doc Halladay didn’t do it.  That arrogant basketball player LeBron James didn’t.  Heck, even the Great One, Wayne Gretzky played for four NHL teams.  To be honest, that was the beginning and Pujols is the end.  I had hoped that the thought of being an icon, immortalized by one city crossed his mind (and I don’t mean in a self-absorbed way).   Because how much more money do you need?  I don’t know exactly what the Cardinals offered, but could’ve it been that low?  Hopefully we find out.

Another thought of mine regarding him taking such a large amount of money was split into two thoughts.  One, he did take the ‘hometown’ discount once and wanted what he deserved.  The other, perhaps the players association pressured him into taking if not the highest, but perhaps second highest offer.   Think about it, if he took (for argument’s sake), less than $20 million per season, would that mean that F/A Prince Fielder would get less?  Perhaps.   Again, this is just speculation, but it wouldn’t surprise me.

The title of this post is from a Sister Hazel song with the same name.  “A Champagne High.  A toast to the future, will that be a lie?”.    I wonder if Pujols and his teammates thought that as they were celebrating their World Series victory.   Just like any high, you do have to come down and I believe Cardinal fans have hit the bottom.  An iconic manager departs and then the heart and soul of the organization and city of St. Louis leaves.  Wow!  How is that for a hangover?  Metaphorically speaking.

So today, I am left with half a closest of Pujols jerseys, t-shirts, figurines etc.  What to do with them?  Burn them? Give them to the less fortunate?  Or keep them and wear them?   I will probably go with the last one, even though I am hurt, disapointed and bitter.  These feelings will pass.  Heck, just last summer, Michael Richards, a Kitchener Ranger alumni was traded from the Flyers to the Kings.   I own two of his jerseys and still wear them.  Personally, I believe that I was spoiled by having my favourite player of all-time play for one team.  His name is of course Joe Sakic.   Growing up, many of my friends would see there favourite players leave for greener pastures.  I never had to experience that until this past summer.   And for the second time, today.

So for anyone who is still reading, don’t worry,  my rant and rumblings are slowly coming to an end.

In closing, I would like to say that Albert Pujols was a bright star (the greatest player of my generation, and certainly top 5 of all time) who people should look up to and cheer for .    In my sky, his star is fading and may just disappear on the horizon.

Thanks for reading and humbug to all the million athletes who we cheer for.