Some St. Louis Cardinals fans may still be bitter over Albert Pujols’ decision to sign with the Los Angeles Angels. Some are even in denial.
Reality starts to set in three weeks before pitchers and catchers report to spring training.
The February issue of Beckett Baseball, the card collecting authority, features the Topps 2012 card with Pujols in an Angels uniform. Obviously, since he has yet to suit up for the Angels, the image of Pujols playing first base has been altered using Adobe Photoshop. The card was printed in limited quantities and will be a part of Topps’ 332-card Series One, which should hit retail shelves soon. Topps also used Photoshop on Jose Reyes’ Miami Marlins card, which is featured on the Beckett cover along with Pujols.
Pujols also dons the cover of the latest ESPN the Magazine, although he is not pictures in game action wearing an Angels uniform. For the ESPN cover, Pujols is shot tight wearing an Angels cap.
Both magazines usher in a new era for Cardinals fans and bring reality home.
Being a lifelong Cardinal fan, seeing this would have really bothered me 20-25 yrs ago. Now that I am (ahem) middle-aged, I realize we got the best years from Pujols and by NOT offering ridiculous money, the Cardinals won’t be paying him 30 million a year, as the Angels will do in the latter stages of his contract.
To the younger fan…root for TEAMS, not a particular player. Players go to the $$$, and teams will trade anyone on their roster, at any time.