Will Albert Pujols Become the Villain like LeBron James?
Taking My Talents to South Beach II: It’s the Marlins Turn
It was reported today by everyone and their mother that the Miami Marlins are heavily pursuing Albert Pujols. The Marlins already made a big splash this winter with the signings of shortstop Jose Reyes on Sunday night, and Heath Bell earlier in the week. With the big fish still in the sea, is it inevitable that the Marlins will sign Prince Albert? And if so, will he be treated in the same light as LeBron James did last summer?
I had this very conversation with a friend earlier tonight. Granted he is an LBJ fanboy, and I hate his stinkin’ guts, but the debate is there. He, also a Cardinals fan, posed the question: Will Pujols be vilified like LBJ? Personally, I don’t think he should, because I don’t think it’s the same situation.
Pujols isn’t refusing to meet with St. Louis management. Pujols isn’t going to lead other teams on knowing where his final destination is going to be. Pujols isn’t going to have a TV show to announce where he signing. Pujols isn’t a St. Louis native. And finally, Pujols will not be apart of a championship celebration before playing a game.
Albert Pujols is not LeBron James.
The only similarities between the situations at hand is that both were free agents, and both are arguably the best player in the game. Other than that, nothing else adds up. Albert Pujols is 31 years old. He will not ever receive a bigger contract than the one he will be getting shortly. LeBron James was 26 at the time of his deal. He will undoubtedly get another major payday in his life, and even another chance to chase rings. If you are Albert Pujols, it is reasonable to take the best offer he is given, because it is your last chance for the major score.
I will not blame Pujols one bit for going elsewhere. What is left for him to do in St. Louis? He is a multiple MVP and World Series winner already. It’s not like he is coming off postseason failures to only sign with the Yankees. To cement a legacy, which LeBron cronies claim he is trying to do, Pujols should go elsewhere and try to win; considering, he already has where he started. It’s hard to think of one baseball player that has been the main vocal point of two entirely different championship teams. Hell, it’s hard to do that with any player in any sport. If he could do that, he would be a God among men.
If you do want to draw a comparison to “The Decision”, it would have to be Alex Rodriguez, not Pujols. Both Rodriguez and James were 26. Both were “the best player in the game”. Both had shortcomings in the postseason. And lastly, both were vehemently hated for their decision. Rodriguez took the cash, but unlike LeBron, took the cash in effort to be the main man on the Texas Rangers.
I repeat, Albert Pujols is not in the same situation as LeBron James, and he should not be treated the same way. If Pujols does schedule a show on ESPN, and has a party the day after he signs, then all bets are off. The thing is, Pujols isn’t as self-absorbed like LeBron James is. He would never allow it to become that much of a circus
Enjoy the show, Albert. It is your last chance to be on the pedestal. You might as well enjoy the view.
