Albert Pujols Defends Postgame Absence
By Editorial Staff
Much has been made of Albert Pujols’s absence from St. Louis’s clubhouse following their game two loss to the Rangers. Yesterday, Pujols admitted that he made an error on the field during Thursday night’s World Series contest but saw nothing wrong with his postgame actions.
During the 9th inning of Thursday’s game two, Pujols failed to catch a cutoff throw from outfielder Jon Jay. This mistake allowed Elvis Andrus, who eventually scored the go-ahead run, to advance to second base. While the play wasn’t originally ruled an error, Pujols’s blunder was later documented as such by the official scorer.
Pujols recapped the play for members of the media Friday, saying that he knew he “had a chance to get” Andrus. Unfortunately, the former MVP took his “eyes off the ball” and missed it. Pujols admitted that the play “has to be an error” since it hit his glove, telling reporters that it would usually have been a routine play.
While Pujols was willing to take criticism for his play on the field, the first baseman didn’t see any wrong-doing in his actions following game two. After the loss, Pujols and several other St. Louis’ veterans were nowhere to be found in the Cardinals’ clubhouse.
After getting ripped for his absence by the National media, Pujols shared his side of the story Friday. Pujols said that he waited around for 40 minutes and, after no one indicated that he was needed by the media, decided to go home. Pujols also noted how he spoke for an hour and a half the night before, trying to show he was not looking to dodge reporters.
I’m a Pujols fan, but I find these excuses hard to buy. Even if no one indicated that the media wanted to speak with Pujols following the game, I think it would be pretty obvious his presence would be requested. Not only is he a leader on the team, but he was involved in a crucial play late that ultimately impacted the outcome of the game.
Pujols’ “I spoke for an hour and a half the other night” isn’t doing much for me either. In fact, this could be used to show that Pujols was in fact dodging the media. The night he ended up staying for reporters was the night the Cardinals won.
The media took it a little too far in saying that Pujols let his teammates down, but Albert shouldn’t get out of this scot-free either. Hopefully another exciting game will allow us all to move past this event and get back to baseball.
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