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Albert Pujols

February 16, 2011 by · Comments Off on Albert Pujols 

Albert Pujols, The All-Star first baseman, whose contract expires after the World Series in 2011, is seeking an extension that would make him one of baseball players never paid. Pujols, who has spent his entire career with the Cardinals, is seeking an agreement on equal footing with the 10-year and 275 million Alex Rodriguez? Guez negotiated with the New York Yankees. (CP) – Ski-Albert Pujols was stored Wednesday morning with a red jersey, four pairs of pants baseball white and gray, his pass for parking at spring training and many other items.

Still Missing: A new contract for the St. Louis Cardinals, and the window is closing fast to get there. With a deadline of noon Eastern for a new deal imminent, Pujols was not in camp with the Cardinals on Wednesday. Several of his teammates were, including a handful of position players who were at work earlier than expected. Pujols is expected to join them Thursday whether or not the three-time NL MVP has signed a contract made for his taste.

“It does not really matter to us,” said Cardinals pitcher and the union representing Kyle McClellan. “It’s not our business. Is not anybody’s business? … The truth is, I’ve never been on the mound and thought of Albert Pujols contract. ”

St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said Tuesday he believes Pujols feels the pressure of the union to “raise the bar” with this agreement, which some expect could exceed Alex Rodriguez and $ 275 million, 10-year pact with New York Yankees.

On Wednesday, La Russa insisted he had already said too much.

“It was kind of failed. I said if I ran the union or part of the union, I’m not sure I would handle it different,” said La Russa, about two hours before the date limit noon. “I checked with some of our veteran coaches. It strains credibility a bit to think that there has been no contact or a citation. It is too important.”

Union officials have refused pressure Pujols or his agent, Danny Lozano. And McClellan said comments La Russa has not created an embarrassing situation for him, even if the union representative in the Cardinals clubhouse, he had taken a position quite different from his manager.

“It was not really anything to do with me. I come to represent the players,” McClellan said. “All I can do is get the facts as I know, that the union is working to ensure that players and agents are informed. They’re not going to overstep the limits and tell anyone what it must be done. Everyone is a grown man. They can decide for themselves. ”

La Russa has often said Wednesday morning that its focus is on spring training and the NL Central, not what will or will not happen with the slugger.

“We do not want to get our minds cluttered with a team,” said La Russa. “There’s plenty to do. … Competition in the Centre and the National League has received attention. And that’s exactly what we think. You can choose what you think. That’s what we think. ”

General manager John Mozeliak said it is not necessary that an agreement be signed by Wednesday noon, but the sides would need to have accepted the terms. Mozeliak had intended to speak of negotiations Wednesday afternoon, team officials said.

Pujols, a nine-time All-Star, is the only player in major league history to hit 30 or more home runs each of his first 10 seasons – all coming with the Cardinals, the franchise he has said in the past, he wants to stay with for the rest of his career.

He has a career batting average and 0331 on average 41 homers and 123 RBIs. He also won six Silver Slugger award and two gold gloves.

Last year he batted .312 with 42 homers and 118 RBIs and finished second in MVP voting.

“I do not think there’s a better guy for us to have the team,” Cardinals second baseman Skip Schumaker said. “He is the face of the franchise. You respect both sides of it. You respect what the Cardinals do, you respect the management and what the agent is Albert. This is a situation difficult, as everyone knows. It is an iconic player. ”

Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Medal Of Freedom

February 15, 2011 by · Comments Off on Medal Of Freedom 

Medal Of Freedom, (AP) – Baseball great Stan Musial has a statue outside Busch Stadium and a plaque in Cooperstown, NY On Tuesday, the former St. Louis Cardinal has received the highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal Freedom. Musial was among 15 recipients honored at a ceremony at the White House. President Barack Obama called the Hall-of-Famer “a man you want your children to emulate.”

Musial, 90, wore his coat Cardinals familiar red sports during the ceremony shown on TV St. Louis and St. Louis Post-Dispatch website. He beamed as the President placed the medal around his neck.

Missouri politicians said the honor was appropriate for the baseball immortal whose nickname, “The Man”, was appropriate for his philanthropy and kindness as for his on-field success.

U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay, a St. Louis Democrat, recalled watching from the stands Musial Sportsman’s Park as a boy, and then gets to know him as an adult. Musial said he showed great courage in 1947 by hosting Jackie Robinson, first player in black baseball in the National League.

“Stan Musial is a national treasure,” said Clay. “His remarkable life is the best of America.”

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., Said Musial was not only the greatest Cardinal ever “, but a great philanthropist, who used his fame to help others in need.”

Jay Nixon said the governor of the medal is “appropriate for a man who is both a baseball immortal and a gentleman and great American.”

Musial, native of Donora, Pennsylvania, was signed by the Cardinals as a pitcher but converted to the outfield after a shoulder injury in the minor leagues. This worked.

There was a 24-times All-Star who retired after the 1963 season with a .331 batting average and 475 home runs. In his 3630 career hits, exactly half had at home and half on the road.

He earned the nickname “The Man” in 1946, when Post-Dispatch sports fans heard Bob Broeg Ebbets Field Musial welcome to the plate saying, “Behold the Man.”

Musial was the CEO of the 1967 Cardinals team that won the World Series against the Boston Red Sox.

He remained a beloved figure in St. Louis. In fact, it was a basic “stand for Stan” campaign that helped persuade the White House in honor Musial with the Medal of Freedom. The Cardinals have promoted the idea through Facebook, Twitter and other social media, and politicians have quickly joined in letter writing campaigns.

Musial is held in high esteem, for example by the team and its players as the current Cardinals star Albert Pujols has agreed to extend its deadline until Wednesday to sign a contract extension or test free agency after the 2011 season. The previous deadline was Tuesday, but Pujols and the Cardinals did not lose sight of the honor Musial.

The Medal of Freedom is given to those who have made significant contributions to U.S. national security, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private initiatives. Other winners on Tuesday included former President George HW Bush, the cellist Yo-Yo Ma, basketball Bill Russell and businessman Warren Buffett.

Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

[Source: image via Wiki]

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