I tweeted that I was at a point where I didn’t care about what Albert Pujols did with signing and I meant it.
The Pujols contract situation has been a distraction for too long for the Birds. I think he is a remarkable player and also one of the better people St. Louis has ever had on its team. However, for him, it is obvious it is about money, with him signing with the Los Angeles Angels. I don’t think Albert will play 10 years, so I don’t think it is worth it for Los Angeles to spend that kind of money.
St. Louis is a special baseball city and the Cardinals seem to always rebound no matter what happens, so the team will be OK. There are several talented players still on the team.
The days of professional athletes being loyal or owners being loyal back I think have ended. In a word today, it is all about money.
I doubt seriously if I visit Albert’s restaurant anymore. It’s apparent he didn’t want to stay in St. Louis. I am curious what everyone else thinks about Albert signing with another team.
On the bright side, my daughter, Sierra, now is a loyal, faithful Cardinals fan and will carry on my tradition. She bought a special book at her book fair recapping the season. She read it cover to cover last night.
The Cardinals and the loyal Redbird fans will survive without Albert, folks.
Bob, you have said it like it is. No one is worth $220,000,000 over ten years. How many forty-one year old ball players can a person name who is still playing every day. That is the age he will be in ten years. I do think that the St. Louis Cardinals are wise to say thank you for your contribution but no thanks to tanking the organization to satisfy one persons greed.
Last night when the rumor broke that the Cards increased their offer to 220 for 10, I was both surprised and thought “too much” for any player turning 32. Clearly, next to an aging Stan the Man in the 50s, Albert is the best player I have ever had the pleasure to see play for so many years. Apparently the 220/10 rumor was not true; that said, I tend to agree with Bernie’s column in the Post earlier this week when he suggested a rather simple (grand) compromise. Pay Albert the highest salary of any player for 5/5 plus years, with a series of performance based options. When I read and thought about it,,,, the deal seemed more than reasonable to me. However, 250 or so for 10 years? If true, Albert will be 41/2 at the end of the contract; I’m sorry but that’s a not a smart deal. Unless you are the Yankees, Boston or a top revenue team (tho the Cards are financially very healthy); how can you justify that size of salary over that many years? Let’s remember, there are several up and coming minor league and current Cardinal players who will be brought up and eventually (within the next 10 years) eligible for new contracts starting next year and beyond, who will be the cornerstones of future teams. To Albert, I wish you the very best, however, a couple questions: Is the difference in money worth leaving a storied baseball franchise; an adoring Cardinal Nation; a solid place in Cardinal and Baseball History;,,,, and more money than you, your family, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren and great, great…….will ever be able to spend? Finally, am sure I am biased, but leaving all this behind, including the National League,,,, for the American League? Oh well, Good Bye Albert and Thanks for all of the wonderful memories; too bad they end now.
No player is worth that kind of money. It is why most families can not afford to go to ballgames. In the end it sure does look as though money was the key factor in his decision and that’s sad because Cardinal Nation has supported him since the beginning of his career.