Wonder how Albert will like it when his skills diminish and he gets less playing time? Easy to be a team booster when you play every day.Ask Ozzie Smith how teh story may end.

We'll also see how he acts when the new contract gets negotiated and the Cards don't want to give hm what he wants. I wonder if there are any quotes from when Puhls broke in about not enough playing time.

Generally being a team leader does not involve throwing your teammates under the bus when they express legitimate opinions.

Already a thread on this.

pujols jumped from single a to the majors pretty darn quickly didn't he? Plus wasn't he a starter from pretty much day one?

pujols jumped from single a to the majors pretty darn quickly didn't he? Plus wasn't he a starter from pretty much day one?

Pujols had about 15 PAs above A ball, then proceeded to put up a 157 OPS+ in his rookie year. It was damn big of the Cardinals to stick with him through those lean times--especially when he followed that performance up with his sophomore slump (a career-low 151).

I'm just being snarky, of course, but suffice to say Rasmus, talented though he is, is no Albert Pujols. Rasmus is way the hell out of line here.

Rookie Pujols fact: Pujols started more games at third base in his rookie season than any other position. He had 52 starts at 3B, 37 in LF, 33 in RF, and 32 at 1B.

I actually thought he started more games than that at third as a rookie; I remember him as more or less the Cards' regular 3B. Guess not, or if so, only for a while.

I'm just being snarky, of course, but suffice to say Rasmus, talented though he is, is no Albert Pujols. Rasmus is way the hell out of line here.

I've reconsidered, in light of Rasmus's apparently never having gone public with his trade demand. I guess I sort of assumed, based on his history of being a bit of a prima donna.

Now, it all makes sense. And I feel better, as I generally do when I can blame things on LaRussa.

Pujols was known as a great defensive 3B in the minors (at least in my ancient edition of BP); it was his bat that was in question.

One day, as LaRussa was enjoying a vegetarian pre-game meal at old Busch Stadium, he started to get the worst pain in the ass of his life. It was so bad that he called for McGwire and had him perform a proctological examination. Big Mac inserted a digit and out leapt Pujols with a war cry, fully armored and ready to do battle with NL foe.

Pujols had the good fortune of Bobby Bonilla's injury, which made the Cards need a 3rd baseman. He also had the good fortune of having teammates Drew and Lankford in the outfield, both players that La Russa felt the need to bench a lot. So he probably doesn't relate much to the Rasmus treatment.

It's kinda maddening as a Cardinal fan. Here we pay big big bucks for Matt Holliday, who is no doubt a great player. But thanks to La Russa we're underutilizing a comparably good Rasmus, and we're about to piddle away his cheap years.

I liked the quiet Pujols better than the version who has been emerging lately.

Pujols has turned into 'Evil Superman' following his acceptance of Glenn Beck's kryptonite award.

"That sounds familiar"
"Yeah, they did it in Superman III."

Pujols had the good fortune of Bobby Bonilla's injury, which made the Cards need a 3rd baseman

When Bonilla was on the field, they still needed a 3rd baseman.

Polanco was the Cards regular 3B that year. But he also backed up both short and second leaving games for Pujols to fill in at third. At least that is what it looks like from b-ref.

I think Fernando Tatis was SUPPOSED to play 3rd.

@10
Ben, from a long piece away.... Canada actually, Rasmus looks like the one out of line, much as Cardinal fans are fed up with La Russa. Better to let another organization bring out his potential.

Question, why has Pujols stalled on his HR total, as has Jose Bautista in my market?

“He needs to find out the talent and ability that he has and pretty much keep his mouth shut and play the game. Let the organization make those decisions, not himself.”

Sounds like Albert should mind his own advice.

[14] Tatis was traded during the offseason. Here is a preview article for the 2001 Cardinals. Polanco/Paquett/Andrews is listed at 3B. Pujols is listed as a prospect to watch.

I may have misremembered about Bonilla having the starting job (though maybe he was winning it during spring training? Dunno.) But I'm pretty convinced about remembering that Pujols was heading back to AAA. Then Bonilla was injured shortly before opening day, and Pujols got his chance to be on the major league roster.