Another Albert Pujols Lovefest

Written by: Aaron Hooks on 1st July 2009

Another Albert Pujols Lovefest | read this item

Very, very few times in life we get to enjoy the greatness of great moments while we’re still in their midst. Usually the passage of time reveals some point in your life to become more special as you grow older and further removed.

In 2006 the Cardinals won the World Series. Heading into that post-season, I remember thinking to myself a series win against the Padres would be superb, but no way in hell these guys are beating the Mets. The lesser of the metro NY teams had built a juggernaut that season, while the Cardinals limped into the playoffs as the winner of a division most were referring to as “Comedy” Central.

3 weeks later I was in the middle of Clark Street throwing beer on complete strangers as we all asked ourselves the same question… what just happened?

It was quick and joyous and awesome. But it was gone like that. We had gone from no expectations to the holy grail of baseball in the blink of an eye and then, almost as quickly, back to nothing.

I certainly wouldn’t trade that experience for anything, but if I did happen to go back in time, I most likely would have savored every silly little moment that October. Unfortunately, I didn’t know what I was witnessing until it was gone.

This season the Cardinals are a middling team. They may end up being competitive come September, but as of now they’re treading water, holding just above .500 and within striking distance in a weak division. If you were to watch the Cardinals day in and out this season, you’d see a very unspectacular sight with one humongous BUT.

Albert Pujols.

The greatest player in baseball heading into a collision course with history. More specifically the Triple Crown.

Last night Mr. Pujols crushed 2 more home runs, bringing his total to 30 before July. He’s also driven in 76 runs- the most in the major leagues. All while having absolutely no protection (Cardinal clean-up hitters are batting a paltry .232 in 2009) and getting the Barry Bonds treatment most games. His .329 average is actually below his career mark and justified, since he should have been out a week in June with a severe flu that saw him go 0-16 at one point.

In short, we’re witnessing a true threat to the Triple Crown for the first time in years. I, for one, am not about to let crappy baseball by 24 other Cardinals get in the way of enjoying every last bit of the second half of 2009. When Pujols is up- I will watch. Just like in 1998 when Big Mac stepped to the plate- St. Louis paused and watched.

It’s time to start that again. We’re in the thick of history.

Enjoy!

Topics: Albert Pujols, Big Mac, Enjoy The Moment, Home Runs, Sluggers, St. Louis Cardinals, Triple Crown