Pujols to the Angels

[macnole]

Well the backhanded comments regarding NY and StL were different since they were so subtle I suppose. I was asking an honest question--why private schools necessary and made an inference. Because indeed my kids were in a school in a country where english was the second language--the experience was great; the education experience mixed though.

Have lived outside the US for quie some time--twas an honest question.
Ciao
Tchuss
Adios
Danke

[george barnard]

I apologize if I inferred something I shouldn't have. I just get exceedingly twitchy when the problems of the world are placed on the doorsteps of those who are not of the "dominant" linguistic culture. Having lived abroad for more than half my life (so in essence my time in the US was really living abroad), I empathize with those struggling to fit in linguistically, socially, economically, etc in a new society.

Let's call it quits and let the thread go on talking about Pujols and his new home and the disappointment in the heartland.

Bill

PS If you want to talk about the comparative virtues of the St. Louis Symphony and its counterparts in San Francisco and LA, then by all means, do.

[tbeaman]

I feel that this was probably best for both sides. As a Cardinal fan I am not surprised the Albert went to the Angels. First off the Cardinals will never sign anybody to a 250 mil plus contract. They can't afford it and the one thing the Cardinals managment tries to do is put a winning product on the field for there fans. If they sign Albert to a 10 year 250mil contract they would have a hard time surrounding him with good players to be able to compete.

I thought if Albert was to leave it would be for an American league team.
Albert can prolong his career by moving to DH when he gets into his late 30's.

Stan the man was my fathers favorite cardinal and Albert is my favorite cardinal. He will remain my favorite Cardinal forever. He brought us a decade of greatness and 2 championships.

I think the Cardinals made a good offer for them to compete and I respect Alberts decision. Albert will always be my favorite but I am glad the Cardinals didn't open up the bank, that would of hurt the franchise in the long run imo.

I wish Albert the best just not when he plays against the Cardinals.

[macnole]

@GBarnard--regards, and I agree with you. The US would be better off with a mandated second language prior to high school as part of standard curricula.

Who knows about Pujols...good guy, the extra money is maybe not much compared to the size of the contract, but even 1 mil a year difference is a LOT of money that he can do good with--he has shown a philanthropic tendency.

And like andycummings said, there is no doubt a pride factor that is distinctly normal human nature. The Angels were already tough--this gives them a new dimension they have been lacking imo.

STL is still a great baseball city without AP.

[thetallguy747]

As a lifelong Cardinal fan, here's my take.

Albert Pujols is one of the most decent men ever to play the sport. His money will not be squandered. Many will benefit from it.

As a consummate professional, he has hidden over the years the dents to his pride when lesser talents get signed to contracts that outstrip his. There was no way he was going to re-sign with the Cardinals given their top offer. None. His pride meant more to him than organization loyalty. It had less to do with wealth and more to do with pride. Those priorities can be judged one way or another.

He is one of those players your children's children will read and talk about. I believe he is truly one of the best players to ever play the game.

I also believe his body has aged noticeably the last two years. He runs on his heels, which is not good for long term athletic health and his back problems are starting to reflect that. I also believe his hitting problems last season had more to do with eyesight than anything else. I don't know if Albert wears contacts, but it was clear to me that some aspect of his eyesight has slipped. He repeatedly failed at waiting until the ball was almost in the catcher's glove before starting his swing. That has been a big component of his hitting ability -- to get a complete read on the ball and still have the strength and coordination to do what he wants with it. By the end of the season, he was doing what normal good hitters do: trying to outguess the pitcher and swing where he thought the ball would end up. If his eyesight has slipped and cannot be corrected (as I suspect) then Albert becomes a mere mortal.

Although I've never met him, I love the man and have great respect for him. I wish he had joined the immortals by playing his entire career in St. Louis.

But frankly, I think it was the best move for both Pujols and the Cardinals.

Kevin A

[PotKettleBlack]

[quote:68e43badc0="macnole"]St Louis is a great city. Whether the Cards or the Symphony or "The Hill"--the safer version of Little Italy...it's nice. And the public schools are great. No need to avoid them, like California where English is probably a second language?[/quote:68e43badc0]

Macnole: You are seriously not saying that the St. Louis Symphony to be the equal of the NY Philharmonic, right? Or even the LA Symphony, right?

The Hill vs. the remnants of New York's Little Italy is an odd comparison, as The Hill was the center of mob activity in St. Louis back in the day.

I know you are not comparing the disaster that is public education in St. Louis City (not the same as county) with NY. Stats will not back you up. And if you throw in the bi-state Metro area... ugh.

PS- English is a Second Language for Senor Pujols.

[macnole]

PKB,

I have not lived in California. I have lived however on Long Island (great but overpriced schools) and the burbs of StL actually in neighboring Illinois and for a time western STL burbs, which are beautiful. Maybe that's the rub.. Many STL types dont live in the city proper. Also lived in PR, Germany, NE, OH, FL, NM, CO, MS, AL, SC, and KS.

Best schools not even close, including the community neighborhoods around the school/design/faculty leadership: Nebraska.

Symphony was great--yes NY's is great but again so was KC...and I pay a crapload less and can find parking.

The Hill right now is safe. Heck, mob? I had garbage and pizza mobsters in my neighborhood on LI...as long as you were not a jerk, they were OK.

Even as a guy who grew up in NY and went to school in FL and CO, I just thought the poster was disparaging the midsection of the US with the mantra of "everything is best on the coast". I think the midwest is a great and equally valuable piece of America that's all.

SC and AL are a different story... Just kidding, mostly
:wink:

[PotKettleBlack]

Grew up in NYC, and resided in St. Louis city (U. City adjacent) for 5 years. I also lived in LA (in the Hollywood Tower) for 5 years. I love St. Louis, but very few things are on par with NYC due to capital flight, urban doughnut, lack of home rule, non-consolidation, and a host of other issues that kind of hamstring St. Louis. LA has some of the same issues, but not to the extent that St. Louis has.

As to safety, on a per cap basis, since the 90's NYC has had a much lower crime rate than St. Louis. St. Louis had the highest per cap crime rate from 99-2004. In 2005, they were found to be underreporting to get off the top of the list.

I don't mean to piss on St. Louis. I love St. Louis, enjoy going back every 3-5 months to see the in-laws and play "What's changed?" But seriously, not in the same class as NYC and LA.

[coyote303]

One...quarter...of...a...BILLION...dollars.

I remember when $100,000/year was considered a good salary. I also remember when any team had a chance to win the pennant.

I'm not suggesting players shouldn't make big money, but I do wish baseball had the relatively level playing field that the National Football League has achieved.

Being a Colorado Rockies fan, I'm glad that the Angels (and Yankees and Red Sox) are in the American League.

[the splinter]

[quote:1899a926b5]I remember when $100,000/year was considered a good salary[/quote:1899a926b5]

In real life...it still very much is