But that's OK. I'm a big boy. Besides that, I also understand there's nothing I can do. Even if I could take it back, I'm happy where I am right now.
My goal is to focus and concentrate on what I need to do to help this ballclub win. And let's be clear here, regardless of what the Cardinals' front office did—and Pujols refused to provide details or clarify on that front—it was still Pujols' decision to leave the city that had so much respect and love for him. As for Pujols' goal of helping his current team win? Well, that hasn't gone so well since he hit the L. The Angels have been extremely slow out of the gates last year and this, going and then each of the past two Aprils.
That led to a playoff-less campaign in , and considering the Angels are still under. There's wonderboy Mike Trout, the year-old outfielder who's arguably the best all-around player in the game. And let's not leave out outfielder Josh Hamilton and left-hander C. Wilson, two more of owner Arte Moreno's big purchases over the past two winters.
It's no secret that Pujols, now 33, is on the decline. His production and performance has dropped off for four straight seasons now, following his third MVP campaign—and second straight—in The Angels' struggles overall, as well as Pujols' own—he's hitting just. In some ways, it's understandable that he would be frustrated with the way things have gone since he left St. It feels like old times as the San Francisco Giants return to relevancy and challenge the rival Dodgers for supremacy in the National League West.
But Schwarz would love nothing more than to add to his Pujols bobblehead collection, purchase another Pujols No. Yadier Molina, the Cardinals catcher since , recently agreed to a one-year extension to play his final season in Adam Wainwright , who has played 16 years in St.
Schwarz, like most Cardinals fans, has noticed how Pujols, 41, has rejuvenated his career with the Dodgers after being released by the Angels in May. The Cardinals could use a right-handed bat off the bench and infusion of energy, and a large bucket of at-bats would open up if the NL adopts the designated hitter next season.
With Molina and Wainwright, the only remaining links to the World Series-winning and teams, signed and most likely returning, there is a groundswell among fans for the Cardinals to get the band back together for a farewell tour in The largest crowd of the season is expected in 45,seat Busch Stadium on Monday for the second home coming of Pujols, the surefire Hall of Famer who is now a fill-in first baseman and pinch-hitter for the Dodgers.
He is not far removed from his first homecoming. Pujols made his first appearance as a visiting player here with the Angels two summers ago, a three-day lovefest in which fans heaped so much adulation onto Pujols that it brought him to tears.
The stadium erupted when Pujols slammed a homer into the bullpen the second game. Few cities embrace their sports history and traditions more firmly than St. Louis Post-Dispatch sports columnist and now hosts an afternoon radio show. Busch Stadium has lacked its usual buzz this season, the combination of a not-so-dynamic team hovering around. The Cardinals are averaging 30, fans a game since they went to full capacity June 14 after drawing an average of more than 40, in 14 of 15 seasons from Louis, should push crowds to the 35,range for the rest of the series.
He is scheduled to face left-handers J. Since their first season without Pujols, the Cardinals have the third-best winning percentage in the majors. The Cards can be overly pragmatic, but their consistent philosophy and long-range planning have produced terrific baseball over the last 26 years. Unlike Moreno, DeWitt believes in building a strong farm system that constantly produces a deep supply of home-grown pitching. That was an uncomfortable decision — but the right one. Pujols had accrued The only position player to top that during the first 10 seasons of a career was Ted Williams In his first 10 seasons as a Cardinal, Pujols hit over.
Babe Ruth is the only player in baseball history to do that more than 10 times. But Pujols is the only player to do it for 10 consecutive seasons.
No big deal. And that, unfortunately, is the legacy of Albert Pujols with the Angels: No big deal. At the time he left St. Louis, Pujols had a career batting average of. Pujols, 41, is a sure first-ballot Hall of Famer.
The lost Arte Moreno years change nothing. A long time from now, the St.
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