Albert's a young man, Joel, and arguably the most dangerous hitter in baseball today. Sure, I want to see Papi striding to the plate when the game's on the line, but for an everyday player, Pujols would be my first choice.
Not to mention that he's a career Cardinal who did not get some gawd awfull contract that nobody deserves and he hasn't left a team that got better without him either. They are both great players, Albert however does not deserve the derision that Sox fans heap on ARod. Terry
Terry, I was just noticing how much better Texas has gotten without A-Rod over this weekend as the Yankees blew them out three straight. Just name me one major league player who would NOT have taken the contract offered to A-Rod. take your time.... :wink:
Can't think of one George, but that contract was a millstone around the Texas franchise and the year after he left Seattle they won a ton of games (120?) and Texas also improved the year after he left. I'll give ARod his props, he's a great player who will someday have a ring, but that doesn't mean he's worth his contract any more than Manny is worth that abomination of a contract that the Sox gave him...1 ring or not. Terry
None of them are worth what they get from my perspective but from an a supply and demand aspect they are all worth every dime they can get. The consumer has proven time and again that they are willing to pay anything to see these guys play ball. How many of us have had the boss offer us a raise and we responded " thanks, but I'm not worth it. Keep the money for someone else" ? For the record, I would rank Pujols #1 at the moment. Ortiz is the best clutch hitter I've ever seen... I abolutely fear him when he steps up to the plate. A-Rod is a better all around player than either of them. But that could all change.
And he does it again in classic fashion....bottom of the 8th....down 2-1 to Colorado....runners on 1st and 2nd....no outs....3-2 count....ya gotta pitch to him, you don't dare load the bases....so Mesa throws the cutter.....#17 on the year goes over the left field wall.....oooohhhhrrraaaahhhhhhh. Honorable mention: Issy comes in and strikes out the side for the save.
Thanks for the news, AJ. I hope Bigbie can earn a regular spot. I have guys like Reggie Abercrombie and Brady Clark that are not producing, although it looks like Clark may pull out of his slump. I see Bigbie's already gotten a pinch-hit AB in today's game (and promptly ended the inning). Another HR (two-run shot) for Pujols so far today.
I get FSMW as part of my Satelite subscription, so they show every game of the Cards. I have seen enough of this year to come to the conclusion that Albert is seeing the ball about as well as a batter can. They (Pitchers) have gone inside, outside, high, low, it doesn't matter, and he's gettin good wood on everything. Provided he stays healthy, this could be a landmark year for #5.
He's on a pace to hit 80+ home runs this year. I wonder when mgrs will decide enough is enough and start walking him as much as they can.