Pujols Reactions in Cardinals Country
Dec 9, 2011 13:29:58 GMT -5
Post by drewosborne on Dec 9, 2011 13:29:58 GMT -5
As you may know, I live in the heart of Cardinal Country. It's awful. The knee-jerk reactions are Albert is greedy and wants the money. I don't find this at all to be accurate. I'll explain below.
Two years ago Albert approached the Cardinals asking for an extension. Nothing happened so he mentioned publicly that he would like to be a Cardinal for the rest of his career. The people of StL loved this by the way. Cardinals management kind blew it off as we'll take care of you when it's time. Meanwhile they extend a handful of other players and sign guys such as Holiday and Berkman in an "attempt to make Albert realize they are trying to be competitive". Albert was put on the back burner and left there. You've got to assume his ego was a little bruised. At that point they also let go Mr. McRae who was a very good hitting coach. They brought in McGwire who Pujols had arguably his worst season of his career under. Then when they finally get to the point of offering Albert his extension and it makes him the 5th highest paid 1B in the game. Not even a top 5 player. Now, at this point it still has nothing to do with money but you can imagine the pride issue. I'm the best in the game they tell me but then they try to compensate me like I'm not even top 5 in the game? Basically he feels that STL is trying to play him for a fool. Feelings are not great at this point but he can still work for STL. It then goes on where they ask him his opinion on the manager and he tells the Oquendo. They give Oquendo token interviews with no intention of hiring him and hire a guy with no big league managing experience. At this point Albert says do i want to play for Scoissa or do I want to play for Matheny? Hmmm... I'll take a guy I don't consider my peer because I didn't play with him. He wants leadership that has already won in the MGR position in the MLB. And by won I'm talking more WS titles. You can't blame him for that. Albert also has put himself in a position to be useful the remainder of his career by signing in the AL. And by signing with a team that is stacked and has a great pitching staff. They've got to be one of the favorites with him and CJ and you know he knew CJ was signing there if he did. There also has to be some personal reasons to change where you live. Not sure on that part as I don't know Albert personally, just a few people that do and I've met him a few times in the past to get enough info for a personality profile.
In conclusion, Mozeliak doesn't really want Albert in StL and made it clear through his action and lack of action. Albert understands this and leaves StL for an opportunity that does want him, appreciates him, and will allow him to be himself. The financial compensation was anywhere he would have decided to go. And finally, how does Albert OWE StL anything? In the old days maybe. People played every game with one team because they had NO choice. There was no free agency. This is a different time and age. People have control over their future. If the job I have isn't appreciative of me, I move somewhere that I feel I have control of my future and situation. I also go somewhere I feel appreciated.
Mozeliak played this perfect. Don't offer Albert the real opportunity to stay while making it look like you did, the people of StL will turn on Albert with emotional reaction, and we'll come out smelling like a rose in the end. Brilliant play Mr. Mozeliak, brilliant play.
I'd love to hear you're opinion.
Two years ago Albert approached the Cardinals asking for an extension. Nothing happened so he mentioned publicly that he would like to be a Cardinal for the rest of his career. The people of StL loved this by the way. Cardinals management kind blew it off as we'll take care of you when it's time. Meanwhile they extend a handful of other players and sign guys such as Holiday and Berkman in an "attempt to make Albert realize they are trying to be competitive". Albert was put on the back burner and left there. You've got to assume his ego was a little bruised. At that point they also let go Mr. McRae who was a very good hitting coach. They brought in McGwire who Pujols had arguably his worst season of his career under. Then when they finally get to the point of offering Albert his extension and it makes him the 5th highest paid 1B in the game. Not even a top 5 player. Now, at this point it still has nothing to do with money but you can imagine the pride issue. I'm the best in the game they tell me but then they try to compensate me like I'm not even top 5 in the game? Basically he feels that STL is trying to play him for a fool. Feelings are not great at this point but he can still work for STL. It then goes on where they ask him his opinion on the manager and he tells the Oquendo. They give Oquendo token interviews with no intention of hiring him and hire a guy with no big league managing experience. At this point Albert says do i want to play for Scoissa or do I want to play for Matheny? Hmmm... I'll take a guy I don't consider my peer because I didn't play with him. He wants leadership that has already won in the MGR position in the MLB. And by won I'm talking more WS titles. You can't blame him for that. Albert also has put himself in a position to be useful the remainder of his career by signing in the AL. And by signing with a team that is stacked and has a great pitching staff. They've got to be one of the favorites with him and CJ and you know he knew CJ was signing there if he did. There also has to be some personal reasons to change where you live. Not sure on that part as I don't know Albert personally, just a few people that do and I've met him a few times in the past to get enough info for a personality profile.
In conclusion, Mozeliak doesn't really want Albert in StL and made it clear through his action and lack of action. Albert understands this and leaves StL for an opportunity that does want him, appreciates him, and will allow him to be himself. The financial compensation was anywhere he would have decided to go. And finally, how does Albert OWE StL anything? In the old days maybe. People played every game with one team because they had NO choice. There was no free agency. This is a different time and age. People have control over their future. If the job I have isn't appreciative of me, I move somewhere that I feel I have control of my future and situation. I also go somewhere I feel appreciated.
Mozeliak played this perfect. Don't offer Albert the real opportunity to stay while making it look like you did, the people of StL will turn on Albert with emotional reaction, and we'll come out smelling like a rose in the end. Brilliant play Mr. Mozeliak, brilliant play.
I'd love to hear you're opinion.
