Cardinals Win World Series, La Russa Retires

There's not much to say about game 7 of the World Series because, well, after the first inning the Cardinals shut Texas down and pulled off the win to emerge to their 11th World Series title (2nd highest titles in the MLB).

I'm writing this late, because well, maintaining a blog is harder than I thought and I have not been timely with my posts. But I will say that this World Series title is the most epic in my history. I barely even remember '82 and '06 was great but '11 had that just amazing game 6 game. I will remember the details of that game more than the errors Chris Duncan made in the outfield that could have cost the game in the series in '06 against Detroit but...oh wait I went there. Sorry Chris.

After the World Series parade and festivities on Sunday following the win, La Russa announced his retirement. I was not surprised, thought part of me hoped for one more year. But I understand where Tony is coming from. He had a rough season health wise, and his wife and he's reached the point where he wants to move on to the next chapter of his life. As long as I'm not seeing him in a Cubs uniform next year I'm okay with this. He should retire and enjoy his life. I honestly don't seem him back as a manager, but he will be involved in the MLB. Maybe he should be an announcer. I think he could provide more intriguing insight than Tim McCarver.

There have been many names thrown around for the new manager but my top 2? Oquendo and Matheny. Reason? Trust from the current players. This team is talented and good. They could repeat in 2012, especially with Wainwright healthy. So having a manager they trust and already know could be very good.

We shall see. On top of that Albert Pujols is officially a free agent. Let the bids begin...

Now that baseball is done, and the NBA season seems, well, N/A, it's all about the NFL and the NHL. Plus college sports of course. More soon.

*Edit* This should have published just after the WS. If it didn't, I blame blogspot.

Albert Pujols, Part Deux

So a deal won't happen (if he happens) between the Cardinals and Albert Pujols until the end of the season. Not really that surprising. There have been many rumors about what the Cardinals organization offered, but no one really knows what went down.

When you really think about it though, it's sort of smart on both parties to wait until the end of the season. What if the Cardinals offered the $30/10 deal and Pujols has a down season and they could have signed him for less? On Pujols side, he wants to be the highest paid player in baseball. So, why not wait and see if free agency gives him that chance? Even if he wants to stay a Cardinal, it forces the Cardinals to compete with the market.

Pujols is dedicated to the team and has made it clear that he plans to do what he has always done. Work hard, be the best player he can be and hopefully help the Cardinals win a championship.

He arrived in Jupiter today to start spring training. The Post Dispatch quotes him as saying the following: "It's part of negotiations with the Cardinals," Pujols said. "I have so much respect for this organization. They gave me the opportunity to play 11 years ago. No matter what went down yesterday because of the deadline, it doesn't mean I don't want to be a Cardinal."

I say, take the man's word for it. I don't for one minute believe the Cardinals don't have a significant chance of signing Albert beyond 2011. It's just not going to happen right now.

Good news? Baseball is almost here! I hate the time of the year after football ends and baseball begins. It's the worst time for sports. I like hockey and basketball, don't get me wrong. But football and baseball are my primary loves.

Cardinal Nation, you may be upset that "El Hombre" is not a guaranteed Cardinal after this season but the good news? You have him now. And the team has a great shot of having a decent season this year. Bring it boys. Let's Go Cardinals!

Albert Pujols

This week is a big week in the world of Major League Baseball. Spring training officially begins for the 2011 season!

Oh, and this guy named Albert Pujols has a deadline for negotiations with the Cardinals on the possibility of re-signing and ultimately finishing out his career as a Cardinal.

Reports thus far about how contract negotiations are going? No one really knows. Pujols and the Cardinals front office agreed to postpone today's original deadline to noon EST tomorrow in order let Stan "The Man" Musial have his day today. For those of you who don't know, Stan Musial received The Presidential Medal of Freedom today from President Obama. Check out the Post Dispatch's article on the festivities here.

I truly hope that Albert re-signs with the Cardinals and retires as a Cardinal. If this happens, he will be remembered as one of the greatest Cardinal players in history, on a par with Stan Musial.

But I can't blame him for wanting to test the free agency market. There's nothing wrong with seeing what you can get. It doesn't mean he can't still sign with the Cardinals. It just means he can explore his options. But I shudder at the thought of Albert in a Cubs uniform just because they were willing to pay just a bit more than the Cardinals. Hell, I shudder at the thought of Albert in a Cubs uniform PERIOD.

Albert has said repeatedly how much he respects the Cardinals organization, and how much he'd like to stay and retire a Cardinal...I hope that he really means that. The Cardinals need to pay him. Maybe not what he wants, but come close. He's earned it. Do you really want the best player in baseball to walk off and become a Cub? Yankee? Angel?

There are only a few teams that have the pockets to afford Pujols, and some of those teams have already signed first base players to high paying contracts (Yankees, Red Sox). It doesn't make sense for those teams to dish out the money for Albert, it would be only for the sake of having signed the best player in baseball.

I hope that Albert and the Cardinals shock us all by announcing tomorrow that the deal is signed, sealed delivered and Albert is officially a Cardinal long term.

If not, it's going to be a long season with constant whispers and theories on when/if Albert will sign with the Cardinals, or what other teams might approach him. Though Albert has said once spring training starts he doesn't want to think or talk contracts, do you really think he and his agent are not going to look at a significant deal if the Cards pitch one to him? I think they would be incredibly stupid not to.

Either way, if a deal isn't announced tomorrow, it's still far from over and it's going to be a long season of speculation. The Cardinals have to focus on the 2011 season and hopefully getting to the post-season. And Pujols will be there to help lead the way. At least until the end of 2011.