Perspective on Pujols, Greed and the Military

Should we begrudge Albert Pujols his big payday? Anyone should be able to make as much money as they legally can but when does greed reign supreme and overshadow common sense and loyalty? Is it right that our military is paid a pittance for the hardships and danger they endure versus the over hyped, overpaid and pampered entertainers in our world? Albert Pujols channeled "Show me the money!" from "Jerry McGuire" and is now singing "How do you like me now!" to the baseball world (especially to Cardinal's management and in essence the fans).Does Pujols now come off as somewhat of a hypocrite since all through the process he proclaimed his undying love for St. Louis and it's loyal Cardinal's fans (the best fans in baseball)? He constantly reiterated that it wasn't about the money (it's ALL about the money), he wanted to continue Stan Musial's legacy, and had asked rhetorically why would he EVER want to play anywhere else. Right after the World Series he pronounced that whether or not he resigned with the Cardinals "was in God's hands" - folks, that was the death knell for his return to the Cardinals. I guess in his own pious way, he figured God wanted him to play with the Angels (s). Phonies always use God to rationalize their decisions and in this regard Albert is a phony. It would appear money, is after all, Albert's true god.

No one can blame him for taking the best financial deal possible - but he spoke with a forked tongue and his actions revealed the truth. None of us are perfect and who is to say many of us would not have done the same thing given the dollar amounts involved. Let me also add there was probably a little more to this than just money given that he and his agent 2 years ago wanted an A Rod type contract, were rebuffed by the Cardinals and refused to budge from that line in the sand. It's called "in your face" spite ( methinks someone in the Cardinal's management really dissed and pissed him off ) mixed with a dose of greed. Factor in the CA cost of living, taxes et al, the gap between the Cardinals and Angels reported offers probably wasn't that great but the total dollar amount satisfied his ego. Pujol's career will probably be extended due to the DH, so one cannot blame him for that. No one can deny he is probably the greatest player of his generation, however, once his aging body really starts to let him down (and it has already as his stats are in decline), the Angel's fans and media may not be as forgiving as Cardinal's fans would have been to Musial's legacy successor.

Now for the perspective - the importance of grown men playing a boy's game for astronomical amounts of money pale in comparison to their vastly underpaid peers and fellow citizens in the military (firemen, police included) who put their lives on the line every day for their country. What professional athletes do is a diversion  - modern "play" gladiators for the mob (us) - which in itself is fine except when given life and death importance as some fans are wont to do. Nobody (OK - rarely) does anyone ever die on a sport's field. This is not the case in military 24/7 everyday jobs where Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines are concerned. Their sweat, blood. loyalty, valor and sacrifice give us the right to speak freely, practice the religion of our choice, and garner huge contracts (like Pujols) should we be so athletically skilled to earn them. Better that all the angst and anger vetted because a popular athlete signed with another club or let his fans and city down, be directed at a corrupt, greedy congress and administration next November. They write their own self serving contracts while leaving our men & women in the military the scraps. Come to think of it, perhaps Albert should consider a career as a politician after his playing days are over since he is so good at saying one thing and doing the opposite as he pursues the almighty dollar all while invoking God's name. Go West Albert - take the money and run - but remember your freedom to play baseball and make hundreds of millions of dollars is because of those that serve.

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." George Orwell.

Merry Christmas.