Volume 288

(All opinions expressed here are solely those of the writer.  In no way is this intended to represent the opinions of Tri-C Youth Athletics or anyone associated with this organization.)

Almost everyone has been expressing an opinion on Albert Pujols signing to play with the Los Angeles Angels. I must admit that I had this one wrong. It is going to be very hard for me to think of this man playing for a team other than the Cardinals.

As most of you should know, I am not a Cardinal fan. Nonetheless, as a baseball fan, it has almost consumed my thinking for the past few days. As noted, many varying opinions are being offered by many and even though none that I have read exactly represents mine the majority seem to have put some thought into this matter.

First, let me say that the majority of Cardinal fans have been more than understanding and accepting of the loss of this great player. Of course, as with any discussion of this nature, there are a few who will say it is ALL the Cardinals fault for not signing him or that Pujols is too greedy and good riddance. The truth of course, as with most things, is somewhere in the middle. As to what exact thoughts were going through the Cardinal organization or Pujols’ mind are subject for debate, but there are a few myths to dispel and some truisms on which we may be able to agree.

1. Pujols is greedy. No doubt about this one, but is he more so than most modern professional athletes? Probably not. Pujols is the best ball player of his era and he wants to be paid accordingly. One thing that is for sure, his agent sure profited more by his signing in L.A. Ten percent of 250 million is more than ten percent of 200 million. So actually Dan Lozano is the definite winner. Did he care where Pujols played? Heck no, but if he can make his own coffers a little more golden, why should it matter to him?

2. In real money, Pujols was probably getting an offer from St. Louis at least equal to that of the Angels or Marlins. First, his taxes will be higher with the more money that he makes. Further, and more importantly I say this, because of the cost of living index. According to the government estimates, a person would pay over $380,000 more for an average priced house for his income. That does not include transportation, clothing, medical, and the majority of food items. Surprisingly, the average energy costs are higher in Los Angeles as opposed to St. Louis, also. On top of this, as already mentioned, the extra money for Mr. Lozano and Albert probably went in the hole from the Cardinals offer. Granted the opportunity to make money through endorsements of products will be greater in Los Angeles, but will it truly be that much more?

3. Pujols was upset that the Cardinals did not hire Jose Oquendo instead of Mike Matheny as their new manager. I only heard this in street discussion and not real strong evidence to back this one up. Matheny and Pujols had been teammates and to the best that anyone can report, they got along fine. If such a loving relationship existed between Pujols and Oquendo, why did Albert choose to ignore his signals from the coaching box from time to time?

4. Albert has stated a number of times during the past few years that St. Louis was the best place to play the game and that the fans were the best in baseball. Personally, I do not know how true that is, but they have to be considered among the best fans. Did those statements of his love play into his consideration? If he did believe that, it appears that he ignored it.

5. Loyalty is a two way street. Yes, but the Cardinals made a most generous offer and even though it did not match a couple of other teams, they felt the long range interests of the team should come before one player. The Cardinals have contract negotiations coming up on Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina over the next year or so. Paying the most exorbitant amount to Pujols may have lessened the chance of re-signing either of these two and possibly others down the road.

6. Does anyone fully believe that Pujols will be playing at the same level he has for the past 11 in a few years, much less 10? Many seem to feel that statistically he is already past his peak.

7. It is the highest of honors for a player to remain with the same ball club his entire career. I watched ball players such as Mickey Mantle, Ernie Banks, Brooks Robinson, Johnny Bench, Bob Gibson, and Stan Musial decline as father time limited their skills. They all were still loved by their home town crowds. A St. Louis crowd would have been more accepting when this happens to Pujols than a southern California crowd.

8. The designated hitter rule of the American League will prolong his career. True, but it is likely that before his playing days are over the DH may well be a part of the National League, also. The NL is just about the only level higher than James Street Park where the DH is not in effect now. Regardless of your preference on this one, the leagues, in my opinion, will become consistent with one another before Albert retires.

9. He chose southern California because of the great weather. Maybe so, but I would take the summer’s humidity and cold in the winter over smog, the Santa Anna winds, and possible earthquakes.

10. His legacy for comparison will not be Stan Musial, but Alex Rodriguez. No argument on this score. Some have mentioned the fact that Stan the Man did not have free agency and he may have left, too. I doubt that, but cannot prove it. On the other hand, I do know that Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken could have tested the free agency waters and took undoubtedly less money to sign with their one and only team. The Yankees (Ripken) and the Dodgers (Gwynn) had suggested their desire to outbid on these two.

11. Cardinal fans were actually relieved by Pujols signing with the Angels. There was a fear in some circles that the “mystery” (if there was one) was the Cubs. That would have been a public relations nightmare that would have caused the stock in over the counter stomach and pain relievers off the charts.

Winner and losers:

The Angels are a big market team and will probably set a record attendance this year. They are now THE team in southern California. They are the early odds on favorite for the AL Championship at this time. With superior front line pitching, especially with the addition of C.J. Wilson, they would be a contender anyway. Pujols may well lead them a World Series Crown or two. Long term, though, they have invested a lot in one commodity and as anyone who plays the stock market will tell you, you must diversify.

The Cardinals are not going to be as good without Pujols. They do however play in one of the weaker divisions and should be a contender without him. He did lead them to three World Series and two crowns during his 11 years in St. Louis. They most likely have been on the receiving end of his best seasons. In the long run, the Cardinals will not only survive, but thrive with the extra money they will have saved by not going into a contract extension with Pujols.

The fans are going to initially be upset with the team’s performance if they do not play well out of the shoots. That is for the Angels fans as well as those of the Cardinals. Albert may experience a high percentage of boos for the first time in his home ball park. Remember, ARod has heard his share of these in Yankee Stadium. The Cardinal fans would have been much more forgiving if he got off to a bad start. Since 1926, a pivotal year in St. Louis baseball history, the Cardinals have had a loyal following and that will continue to be true in the long run. Their attendance will not suffer, if they put a competitive product on the field.

The American League is also a winner over the National League in gaining this future Hall of Famer. Arizona is a winner over Florida for the Spring Training market. The press of course is a big winner and will have much more to write on this subject that has already been completely saturated with much speculation. Those who had already purchased or were planning on purchasing Pujols Cardinal shirts or jerseys for Christmas presents have to be put in the L column. Our local Dick’s and Hibbett’s must feel the pain of this change of events. I somehow do not believe a Furcal jersey is going to be as coveted.

The group of people that I see most victimized by the Pujols signing is the children who are baseball fans. Trey Anderson sent a very nice article, to the Tri-C Board members, written by Derrick Goold about explaining this to your child. Goold writes in terms of trying to reach to those experiences and the knowledge base of children.

We, as adults are more resilient and understanding when things foreign to our own personal thoughts occur. Children on the other hand are moldable and are supposed to questions the whys of a situation more so than their older counterparts. It is hard to see people or institutions that we have allowed them to place on the highest of pedestals fall from that loft in one quick stroke.

Many of a parent has had to discuss this with their child and explain from an adult point of view why Pujols is no longer our favorite ball player. I hope they do a better job than I would. Children need to believe in heroes, sometimes adults do to, but the needs of the younger ones is part of a growing process and to be complete and healthy we want them to put trust in our institutions.

It is with so little regard being expressed in this area that it bothers me. Baseball is a game to the children. They should not have to be subjected to, as adults are, the harsh realities of the monetary desires. We want to teach our children that there are more things important than money and real worth is not found in a person’s bank account, but in the character and morality of one.

Regrettably, baseball and other sports, and the press have to a degree turned their backs on this population and prefer to discuss the business aspects rather than the sport itself. We have really taken a step back in our society by putting a price on everything. The joy of watching the “game” played is a near art form and far exceeds the riches that one may possess. Do you remember going to the ball park, as a kid, with your parents or friends? It was completely devoid of any thought of a person’s salary, but rather to watch heroes perform for you as you enjoyed your choice of snacks.

I remember my experiences well and I hope that all kids continue to put this type of thought to the forefront and are able to over look the factors outside the lines.

This article is not intended to be an indictment of baseball, professional sports, or even the process, but rather a look from one person’s perspective. If anyone wishes to disagree or dispute some of the thoughts expressed please do so by contacting me at brm48@hotmail.com. As has been stated many times in this forum, one of the great things about sports is being able to disagree and offer varying opinions. I look forward to hearing from you.

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ODDS and ENDS

Is any team more unlucky than the Bears? With Cutler and Forte out and the offensive line weakened, the offense has more than struggled. In the last two weeks, though, they have lost games in the most unbelievable of fashions. Last week, Brian Urlacher bats down a ball in the end zone in the manner one is taught and it goes right into the hands of an opponent for a touchdown. Yesterday, Marion Barber does not stay in bounds to keep the clock running and then is stripped of the ball in overtime, which led to a Bronco victory.

The downtown area of Carterville is the nicest I can ever remember it in being decorated for Christmas. Thanks to all the volunteers who provided the Carterville Christmas over a week ago. It is truly beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

As already expressed to all of my Cub friends, I am very happy that Ron Santo was named to the Hall of Fame. It is sad in the one respect that he did not receive the honor when he was alive. It is also a good thing to see the Veteran’s Committee reinstituted. Gil Hodges and Jim Kaat should, also, be considered in future years, but Santo was the best choice this group could have made this year.

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This is increasingly becoming among the saddest of days for the SIU basketball program. Those of us who remember the Gottfried and Van Winkle years know that we will come through this again. Patience though appears to be less and less a virtue for fans of teams these days. The game against Western Kentucky was probably the least enthusiastic crowd that I have witnessed. Even during the eventual firing year of Gottfried the crowd was occasionally into negative chatter and a few “boo birds” made their presence known. This less than half full crowd seemed like a person headed to the electric chair. The most enthusiasm that I saw for a goal being made was the little girl’s successful shot on the Walker Bluff’s challenge.

One can make excuses and say that last years starting point guard is out due to poor grades, an important rebounder and defensive force is out with an injury, and one of two senior starters is facing possible criminal charges. That does not cut much in anyone’s book that I know. It is not a matter of whether or not Chris Lowery is gone as coach, but rather will he last the season. If the Salukis lose, the unthinkable, to Edwardsville it may be exit time right then.

This is sad for me, but a reality. As has been stated before, I like Chris Lowery. He is from our program and some loyalty should exist here. When Gottfried and Van Winkle left it did not bother me. Their loyalty was not to the Salukis. I did not enjoy the way Rich Herrin was treated by SIU and hope that they are better than that when Lowery leaves.

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On a much more positive note I am very pleased to recognize that both our Junior High basketball teams are undefeated in conference play at this time. The girls are 17-0, on the season, and the junior varsity has only lost two games. Overall, the boys are 8-3 at the eighth grade level and 7-2 on the junior varsity. Keep up the job girls and boys, hopefully this can be translated to more victories on the high school level in a few years.

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This writer truly enjoyed the Muppets most recent movie. It was a joy to see them back on the big screen. It was, however, disappointing to hear a “news” reporter refer to this as communist Hollywood. First, any person who produces a movie does so with a capitalist intent. In other words they want to make money on their product. Secondly, if you disagree with someone that is okay or do not like a product that is your right, but the name-calling ignorance and branding of one is without any intellectual thought or design.

I not so fondly remember another era in our history when I had acquaintances who informed me they would not go see a Jane Fonda movie because she was too liberal or ones who said they would not go see a John Wayne movie because he was too conservative. Both sides represented a thought process that is a little too shallow for me.

What bothers me about this type of thought is the fact that we are going to be subjected to so much slander and slurs out of both sides politically in this up-coming year it could make us all ill. We all expect that type of verbiage from the politicians, but for goodness sake, use some sense, and take it easy on Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie and the rest of the crew.

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The winner of our last contest is Ashton DeRousse. Ashton knew that the team that the Detroit Lions hosted from 1951-1963 on Thanksgiving Day is the Green Bay Packers. Congratulations Ashton and thanks to all who entered.

If the Bears have been the unluckiest team of late in the NFL, then the Denver Broncos have to be regarded as the luckiest. This week’s question is this, including yesterday’s win over the Bears, how many games, in a row, has Tim Tebow led the Broncos to a victory?

If you know the answer, please email me at brm48@hotmail.com to be included in the drawing for a $10.00 gift card from Subway.

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Until next time,

Pay attention,

Hustle, and always

Use your “noodle.”