What do you think about Albert Pujols' remarks?

Question

"I see it this way: Someone who doesn't take his team to the playoffs doesn't deserve to win the MVP"

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AojBL046yv7XA6r_Hl_Bi1o5nYcB?slug=ap-cardinals-pujols&prov=ap&type=lgns
for the full article if you haven't seen it

Answer 1

Uncalled for. Very unprofessional. Clearly very jealous of Ryan Howard. Acting like a baby. He needs to grow up. Hell, the Phillies had a better record than the Cardinals in 2006!!

Answer 2

I imagine its a tough situation to be in, being a player who didn't win an award and then being asked about. Most handle it with the upmost grace, some come off like complete jackasses. Pujols' comment comes in the middle shading a little towards the latter.

Of course he has a point though, the shifting criteria used by the mvp voters normally places undue emphasis on getting your team into the playoffs. This year, in the NL, in selecting Howard obviously that wasn't the case.

In my opinion, although it should be noted for full disclousure I pay far more attention to the American league than the National, but I think Pujols deserved to be the MVP.

That being said, he probably should have conducted himself with a bit more class.

Answer 3

It's sour grapes. And I disagree that an MVP must play for a playoff team. I think the success of the team should be considered as part of the equation, but not a determining factor.

Having said that, I think Pujols should have been MVP:

--Pujols' on-base percentage and slugging percentage were higher than Howard's.

--Howard struck out 181 times versus only 50 Ks for Pujols.

--Pujols had less RBI but more runs, less HRs but more doubles (in other words, no clear advantage either way here).

--Pujols won a Gold Glove and Howard has a stone glove.


I would have voted Pujols first, Howard second. Seems pretty clear cut to me, but I guess the voters saw differently. But Albert definitely should have bitten his lip, sat back, and polished his World Series ring. His comments only make him look bad.

Answer 4

Listen I'm a Diehard Birds on the Bat fan.But these remarks are waaayyyy out of line.Sure Pujols is a very good player,But hes starting to let his mouth get in the way.I think this reason will keep him from becoming a great player.Like when he stated that Tom Glavin didnt pitch very well against the Cardinals,For crying out loud he had just beat us,give the man his props the man is going to be in the HOF one day.Albert had better just keep his mouth shut and let his playing do the talking for him.Take a page out of another Cardinals book
Silent George Hendrick and shut the H-e-double hockey sticks up.

Answer 5

The MVP is just that...the most valuable player. Pujols is a great player, put up great numbers, and was the Cardinals most valuable player. Having said that was he the best in the league this year? The voters didn't think so.

Everyone says that Pujols is a classy person, but his comments make him sound like a lot of the other players out there. Just looking out for himself.

Answer 6

What he really needs is a good, old smack on the face and a manner lesson not an MVP award. What a sore loser. Such a crybaby, too. He's a good player but why does he have to go around being a big jerk by saying all those disrespectful things about other players? First it was Glavine and now Howard? Who's next? It's too sad if all that people remember about him in the future is his remarks. He's really giving himself a bad name.

Answer 7

It is unfortunate that he made that statement. He'll learn from it. It's hard to believe that he's still only 26!

There may also be a part of him that feels cheated of this award, possibly at least twice (see Barry Bonds controversy - steriods).

Most veteran big leaguers know how to handle the press, as do many of the younger players. I don't feel that there's anything wrong with expressing his desire to win the award. It's not any different from any hall of fame candidate expressing a desire to get into the HOF. Both are rewards (one greater than the other).

The issue here is that he is *supposed* to tell the world how little awards mean to him and that the only thing that matters is the World Series.

Albert - you need to apologize for your honesty and adhere to the unwritten script because the press and alot of "fans" need something to keep them busy during the off season.
.

Answer 8

Yeah, I read that. Albert is a jerk to say that. Just like him ragging on Glavine in the playoffs. Here's hoping Pujols isn't turning into a jerk - he's a fine player and this kind of whining is very unbecoming and will, you can bet, be remembered by the sports writers next year.

Answer 9

I think Pujols was speaking from the heart -- and being candid about his personal feelings. At the same time, he came off as being self-centered by his remarks.

Ryan Howard's team actually won more games than the Cardinals -- it's just that they were in a tougher Division.

Like most pro athletes -- I think Pujols' comments were from a guy who didn't think things through very thoroughly and offered up a quick sound-byte. It came off very porrly for him as a result.

Answer 10

Sounds like sour grapes to me!! With that classless statement, he will lose respect from many fans and from fellow players.

He probably had a clause in his contract giving him a bonus if he were named MVP. Too bad too, because now he will have to make do with the several millions a year he makes playing and through endorsements. Life is really tough for POOR Albert.

Chow!!

Answer 11

He is absolutely correct Pujols deserves the MVP more than anyone else in baseball and he was denied of it that is B-S