St Louis just lost a legend....

[drebo]

As much as I love baseball, the MLB makes it harder and harder to root for the sport each year. Any sport without a hard salary cap is really not the interesting.

Because sports like football are so much more even? You know, with teams like Green Bay and their 18 game two season win streak and other teams which go 1-16 in the season?

Baseball's a lot more even than most people care to admit. A salary cap, unless it's lower than the lowest payroll team, isn't going to increase parity at all.

 

[manly]

I have been a Cardinals fan for about 30 years.

The report I read was a little less than 200 for 10 years, which would have made him the 4th highest paid 1B. I am sorry but he is better than that and the Cardinals deserved to lose him. They overpaid Holliday and want to underpay Pujols? They make no sense.

The other batters in that lineup benefitted from him being there. Other people listed are not pitched around, they are pitched to.

you hit the nail on the head. If they hadn't blown their wad on Holliday, they probably could've offered Pujols close to market rate. Two years ago, the theory was they needed to prove to Albert they were able to put pieces around him, which ultimately paid off in the WS after Holliday got hurt.

But with the rumored lowball offers from last winter and now, the Cards just didn't seem to understand Pujols was going to get clearly better offers. I think they should've done what the Phillies did with Cliff Lee and offer a slightly shorter deal with a bigger average. Maybe 8x$28M and hope Pujols leaves a bit of money on the table to stay put. If they just can't afford the hit to their cash flow, then beg Albert to defer a chunk of it.

Because sports like football are so much more even? You know, with teams like Green Bay and their 18 game two season win streak and other teams which go 1-16 in the season?

Baseball's a lot more even than most people care to admit. A salary cap, unless it's lower than the lowest payroll team, isn't going to increase parity at all.

Huh? The NFL is clearly the most equitable of the 3 major leagues to small market teams. There's more variance in outcomes in the game of baseball itself; but the small market teams have very little chance of competing on a regular basis with the current system.

 

[zinfamous]

Because sports like football are so much more even? You know, with teams like Green Bay and their 18 game two season win streak and other teams which go 1-16 in the season?

Baseball's a lot more even than most people care to admit. A salary cap, unless it's lower than the lowest payroll team, isn't going to increase parity at all.

I think there is more parity in Football--remember, Green Bay was what, 11-5 last year? Their streak only really started in the playoffs, as they were, technically, the 3rd or 4th-best team in the NFC--at best--going in to the post season (Atlanta, NO, Chicago were ahead of them).

You also have the fact that the worst teams get a shot at the better draft pics every year.

That being said, baseball really can't be predicted on a game-to-game basis. Teams can only be fairly judged at the All Star break, and maybe even far later in the year, as pretty much either team can win any given game.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

love poo holes. dude was drafted in the 13th round.

 

[eits]

who wants to rule st louis? I rather just live in LA with the extra cash.

i'd rather live somewhere with a shitload of money that i wouldn't know what to do with and be able to go anywhere and do anything and be loved by everyone than to go someplace and have a shitload of money that i wouldn't know what to do with and be just another athlete.

 

[RbSX]

Pujols has left my beloved Cardinals... and as much as I want to say that I disrespect him for this and that he's making the wrong decision, I can almost understand. I only hope that that extra $40 million the Angels are giving him go to a good cause. It just irks me, though, because the Cardinals organization already does so much for their community, and I'm having a really hard time convincing me that this wasn't just a money grab by Albert. If it was, I'm extremely disappointed as a fan of the Cardinals, baseball, and Albert.

Judging by a lot of the response I'm seeing on Facebook already, St. Louis is going to feel like they're hung over for the next couple days... this is just an historic disappointment for the city's fans...

Oh shut. You were lucky enough to have him for as long as you did. Get used to it, it has happened at some point or another to the rest of us.

He probably got sick of living in the dump known as St. Louis (central west end is nice, so is Webster Groves) but I mean come onnnnnnnnnn.

In a lot of ways Pujols leaving is endemic of the entire city, run!

 

[Adrenaline]

We're talking about the Pujols deal being a bad contract. So in the framework of that discussion, why would you even consider bringing up the possibility of buyout if it doesn't happen for high dollar ones?

His contract is not a bad deal to me. He deserved to be the highest paid 1B.

The contract discussion was whether NBA contracts are guaranteed or not like baseball because he knew NFL teams can cut their players and I answered his question. I mentioned that buyouts happen in the NBA more than people think, just rarely with the big contracts.

 

[Farang]

Because sports like football are so much more even? You know, with teams like Green Bay and their 18 game two season win streak and other teams which go 1-16 in the season?

Baseball's a lot more even than most people care to admit. A salary cap, unless it's lower than the lowest payroll team, isn't going to increase parity at all.

Oh yes, Green Bay, WI, oppressor of small market teams!

There's something to be said for a job well done.

 

[oogabooga]

who wants to rule st louis? I rather just live in LA with the extra cash.

He does well in LA he can be a king there as well and have a lot of cash.

 

[Svnla]

As a long time fan of the Cards (way back in the time of Ozzy Smith and company), I did hope that Pujols would stay but I understand his decision.

$50M is a lot of money to leave on the table. Good luck and best wish, Pujols, I hope more professional athletics are more like you (while you were in StL) and not acting like fools or thugs or attention whores.

 

[IAteYourMother]

Because sports like football are so much more even? You know, with teams like Green Bay and their 18 game two season win streak and other teams which go 1-16 in the season?

Baseball's a lot more even than most people care to admit. A salary cap, unless it's lower than the lowest payroll team, isn't going to increase parity at all.

are you dumb enough to point to differing records within ONE season as the reason for why there is no parity in the NFL???

The Colts were just perennial super bowl contenders this past decade. Green Bay barely made the playoffs last season.

 

[cherrytwist]

Born and raised in St. Louis. I remember we were let out of elementary school early to watch the '82 series. I still have Willie McGee's autograph on the scorecard (it was his rookie year and my favorite player as a kid). Watching that series was one of my few childhood memories I can recall.

I lost interest in baseball after the lockout and became a rabid hockey fan. Not just a St. Louis Blues fan, but a hockey fan. It is the ultimate team sport.

Pujols brought me back to watch baseball again. Before that I watched McGwire on occasion, but it was more of a freak show than anything. Pujols was the real deal. He said the right things, did the right things, and was simply amazing to watch. I became a casual fan of the game. I remember going to late season games wearing my Blues jersey when they had a game on the same night. So that kind of sums up my perspective on the baseball.

As a St. Louisian, we have a rich tradition of baseball that I'm proud to be a part of. A large part of that was lost today. Pujols, as most players do, followed the money. I can't fault him for that. I may have done the same thing if I were in that position. However, he had the opportunity to surpass the legend that Stan Musial had left in St. Louis. Now he's just another mercenary in my book.

The only thing is that he has said several times that he wanted to finish his career in St. Louis. It's evident now those were empty words. After all, baseball, like any other sport, is just a business. It's a shame. His name will be tossed in along with others who followed the same path. The day of a baseball legend is gone.

I wish him well in Anaheim, but I do not think he will be nearly as successful there. We had the best years of his career. We have the Championships to back that up. It's clear that LaRussa's decision to retire was a result of Pujols decision not to re-sign, and that's a damn shame. I've been to benefits with his organizations and I'm happy that I was able to before he retired. I'm glad he went out on top, he deserves to.

The days of the baseball legend are gone and that's sad. This from the only sport that is truly American. I'm still a fan of the game, but what the game used to be, not what it is today. Hockey has had some fucked up changes over the years, sure, as have the Blues. But nothing comparable to this. Blues hockey is fun to watch, competitive, and young. They leave everything out on the ice. Unfortunately, Pujols made the decision to leave everything in St. Louis. My $.02

 

[jmanny]

At least your not Mets fans.....enough said.

 

[RbSX]

Born and raised in St. Louis. I remember we were let out of elementary school early to watch the '82 series. I still have Willie McGee's autograph on the scorecard (it was his rookie year and my favorite player as a kid). Watching that series was one of my few childhood memories I can recall.

I lost interest in baseball after the lockout and became a rabid hockey fan. Not just a St. Louis Blues fan, but a hockey fan. It is the ultimate team sport.

Pujols brought me back to watch baseball again. Before that I watched McGwire on occasion, but it was more of a freak show than anything. Pujols was the real deal. He said the right things, did the right things, and was simply amazing to watch. I became a casual fan of the game. I remember going to late season games wearing my Blues jersey when they had a game on the same night. So that kind of sums up my perspective on the baseball.

As a St. Louisian, we have a rich tradition of baseball that I'm proud to be a part of. A large part of that was lost today. Pujols, as most players do, followed the money. I can't fault him for that. I may have done the same thing if I were in that position. However, he had the opportunity to surpass the legend that Stan Musial had left in St. Louis. Now he's just another mercenary in my book.

The only thing is that he has said several times that he wanted to finish his career in St. Louis. It's evident now those were empty words. After all, baseball, like any other sport, is just a business. It's a shame. His name will be tossed in along with others who followed the same path. The day of a baseball legend is gone.

I wish him well in Anaheim, but I do not think he will be nearly as successful there. We had the best years of his career. We have the Championships to back that up. It's clear that LaRussa's decision to retire was a result of Pujols decision not to re-sign, and that's a damn shame. I've been to benefits with his organizations and I'm happy that I was able to before he retired. I'm glad he went out on top, he deserves to.

The days of the baseball legend are gone and that's sad. This from the only sport that is truly American. I'm still a fan of the game, but what the game used to be, not what it is today. Hockey has had some fucked up changes over the years, sure, as have the Blues. But nothing comparable to this. Blues hockey is fun to watch, competitive, and young. They leave everything out on the ice. Unfortunately, Pujols made the decision to leave everything in St. Louis. My $.02

Are you truly that insular? Or just completely retarded? Everyone in the world plays baseball, and in some cases, other countries provide players that are better than Americans. It can even be argued that it's been a really long effing time since an American has been the best baseball player in the world.

Hell, football is more American than baseball.

Jesus.

 

[Perknose]

Born and raised in St. Louis. I remember we were let out of elementary school early to watch the '82 series. I still have Willie McGee's autograph on the scorecard (it was his rookie year and my favorite player as a kid). Watching that series was one of my few childhood memories I can recall.

I lost interest in baseball after the lockout and became a rabid hockey fan. Not just a St. Louis Blues fan, but a hockey fan. It is the ultimate team sport.

Pujols brought me back to watch baseball again. Before that I watched McGwire on occasion, but it was more of a freak show than anything. Pujols was the real deal. He said the right things, did the right things, and was simply amazing to watch. I became a casual fan of the game. I remember going to late season games wearing my Blues jersey when they had a game on the same night. So that kind of sums up my perspective on the baseball.

As a St. Louisian, we have a rich tradition of baseball that I'm proud to be a part of. A large part of that was lost today. Pujols, as most players do, followed the money. I can't fault him for that. I may have done the same thing if I were in that position. However, he had the opportunity to surpass the legend that Stan Musial had left in St. Louis. Now he's just another mercenary in my book.

The only thing is that he has said several times that he wanted to finish his career in St. Louis. It's evident now those were empty words. After all, baseball, like any other sport, is just a business. It's a shame. His name will be tossed in along with others who followed the same path. The day of a baseball legend is gone.

I wish him well in Anaheim, but I do not think he will be nearly as successful there. We had the best years of his career. We have the Championships to back that up. It's clear that LaRussa's decision to retire was a result of Pujols decision not to re-sign, and that's a damn shame. I've been to benefits with his organizations and I'm happy that I was able to before he retired. I'm glad he went out on top, he deserves to.

The days of the baseball legend are gone and that's sad. This from the only sport that is truly American. I'm still a fan of the game, but what the game used to be, not what it is today. Hockey has had some fucked up changes over the years, sure, as have the Blues. But nothing comparable to this. Blues hockey is fun to watch, competitive, and young. They leave everything out on the ice. Unfortunately, Pujols made the decision to leave everything in St. Louis. My $.02

Are you truly that insular? Or just completely retarded? Everyone in the world plays baseball, and in some cases, other countries provide players that are better than Americans. It can even be argued that it's been a really long effing time since an American has been the best baseball player in the world.

Hell, football is more American than baseball.

Jesus.

Wow. One of the best posts in this thread followed immediately by one of the worst.

Sigh.

OT is often like that. 🙁

 

[zinfamous]

At least your not Mets fans.....enough said.

way to drive the knife in.

🙁

 

[cherrytwist]

Are you truly that insular? Or just completely retarded? Everyone in the world plays baseball, and in some cases, other countries provide players that are better than Americans. It can even be argued that it's been a really long effing time since an American has been the best baseball player in the world.

Hell, football is more American than baseball.

Jesus.

I was speaking historically. I felt it was pretty obvious.

 

[cherrytwist]

Wow. One of the best posts in this thread followed immediately by one of the worst.

Sigh.

OT is often like that. 🙁

It's why I don't often post in OT. :beer:

 

[zinfamous]

I wish him well in Anaheim, but I do not think he will be nearly as successful there. We had the best years of his career. We have the Championships to back that up. It's clear that LaRussa's decision to retire was a result of Pujols decision not to re-sign, and that's a damn shame.

To be fair, LaRussa did mention in a rather lengthy AP article published the day after his retirement announcement (awesome article, btw) that he decided to retire some time before the playoffs. He didn't mention that to any of his players, and anyone but his wife, I think, until after the WS.

I honestly don't think Pujol's decision, some months later, influenced LaRussa. Quite possible that it's the other way around. Though they are great friends, so it could be that LaRussa knew the writing was on the wall. Hell, just about everyone in the sports world expected Pujols to leave.

Also, Miami offered him more money. So, the "following the money" argument is a bit dubious.

Are you truly that insular? Or just completely retarded? Everyone in the world plays baseball, and in some cases, other countries provide players that are better than Americans. It can even be argued that it's been a really long effing time since an American has been the best baseball player in the world.

Hell, football is more American than baseball.

Jesus.

Do you have a crayon embedded in your brain?

 

[a123456]

Heh, well, now we know how they partially paid for it. Angels just signed a 20 year, 3 billion TV deal with FOX, probably contingent on the Pujols signing.

 

[jteef]

Good for pujols. A few more decent seasons and he'll be a shoe-in for the hall and have plenty of MLB legacy. The move will probably diminish his status as an icon (musial, dimaggio, rose, etc)

I'm glad the cardinals didn't go that high. I think pujols is injury prone and older than stated. Whoever has him will look pretty foolish paying $26M in 2022. On the other hand, inflation's a bitch so it might not be that far out of line.

 

[zinfamous]

Good for pujols. A few more decent seasons and he'll be a shoe-in for the hall and have plenty of MLB legacy. The move will probably diminish his status as an icon (musial, dimaggio, rose, etc)

eh?

really?

You think he needs a few more decent seasons for that?

:hmm:

He's a first balloter now, if he never plays another game.

 

[paperfist]

I hope the Angels saw this chart before drying the ink:

 

[zinfamous]

what is wOBA? (walks)On Base Average?

I see nothing bad, at all, if that is what we're talking about...

I mean, fuck--if we're talking about Adam Dunn, he has to be below .100, right? Not to compare Adam Dunn to Thomas or Pujols, just saying that there is amazing value in people that suck at walking--even though both Pujols and Thomas are and were historically great at creating walks.

 

[Sinsear]

Cardinals gambled and lost. Stupid move on their part.