Pujols Stands Up for STL
Good evening from Busch Stadium. What a comeback. What a ballgame. The Cardinals take it, 5-3, from the Brewers to keep hope alive in their desperate quest for the Wild Card playoff spot.
The Cardinals’ four-run rally in the eighth to erase a 3-1 deficit was the story of the night. And the crucial win put them to 3.5 games behind the Brewers, which is a lot better place to be than 5.5 games with 28 contests remaining.
But almost as compelling was the drama on the field after Milwaukee reliever Carlos Villanueva got Joe Mather to pop up to hush a bases-loaded threat and end the seventh inning.
The Cardinals say Villanueva pumped his fists, flexed, and pointed into their dugout.
Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols was deeply offended and confronted Villanueva as the teams were leaving the field at the end of the 7th.
For those who missed any of the post-game sound on FSN Midwest, I’ll try to provide an unoffocial transcript of Pujols’ comments. I did some editing and left out some of the loose ends that weren’t important. I also wrote in some questions here in an attempt to give Pujols’ comments the proper context:
Q: What happened there with you and Villanueva?
Pujols: “When they start pointing into the dugout, and doing and saying all the things that he was saying, a guy that respects the game like myself, I don’t appreciate that. And I had to let him know. And I guess he did us a favor because he woke up a sleeping giant. We came back and responded with four runs in the eighth inning. They have a young ballclub. They’re pretty good. I respect the way they play the game. And when you see a guy disrespecting the game – obviously they pretty much beat us all year long. You don’t have to do a stupid thing like that to disrespect this game. I let him know I didn’t appreciate it. He was still yelling and talking crap and running away. I wanted him to stop and face me. I respect this game. And I didn’t appreciate the way he disrespected us. I didn’t care if he yelled, but when you start pointing into the dugout, that;s not professional right there.”
Q: Was this something that Pujols felt he had to do as the leader of the ballclub?
Pujols: ”If I see anybody on our ballclub doing stupid stuff like that, I’m going to pull them to the side, and I’m going to (get) into their face. You don’t do that on this level.”
Q: Does Pujols really believe that Villanueva ‘woke a sleeping giant?’
Pujols: “He did us a favor. We came back and we pulled it the through. And I’m glad he did that. So I congratulate him for doing that to us.”
Q: What did Pujols say to Villanueva?
Pujols: “I told him to shut up and go to the dugout, he doesn’t have to do that. That’s when he said something in Spanish that I don’t want to say to you guys. But that’s when I got fired up. I told him to stop and come and say that to my face, but he was running away. That’s allright. I’m going to see him later.”
Q: Did Villanueva curse Pujols?
Pujols: “Yeah, very much. But I didn’t care about the things he said to me. It was more that he disrespected my team by pointing into the dugout. He can curse me out and say whatever he wants. I don’t care. But when he disrespects my teammates I need to stand up for my teammates. I don’t appreciate that.”
Note from Bernie: I was wondering about Pujols’ tendency to stare at his home runs at times … which has drawn criticism from some media and fans. Isn’t that showing up the pitcher? Isn’t that disrespectful? Seems that Albert goes too far at times. But before anyone could ask that, specifically, Pujols addressed the difference — at least as he sees it:
Pujols: ”I don’t care, I don’t care about (Villanueva) getting excited. It’s the same as hitting a ball out of the ballpark and showing off to the pitcher. But when you start pointing and doing a bunch of crap and doing it to the other dugout … I don’t care if he would have pointed to their dugout and gotten fired up. It’s a big series. It was a big out he got with the bases loaded. He could have done whatever he wanted by pointing to their dugout and getting fired up. But he pointed to the wrong way, to our dugout. I didn’t like that. I had to stand up for my teammates.”
Pujols’ gesture wasn’t overlooked by teammates.
Catcher Yadier Molina heard what Villanueva said to Pujols, and began to bark at the Brewers pitcher.
And Cardinals third baseman Troy Glaus said: “Albert is the leader of this team and he stood up for his teammates. It was nice to see.”
OK, a few comments from this here scribe on the episode:
* While Pujols’ actions were admirable — very much so — I think it’s a real stretch to believe the 8th inning rally was a direct result of what happened at the end of the 7th when Villanueva made a fool of himself. I think the Cardinals were pretty desperate at that point; they just had to win that game. While Glaus conceded that “a little (motivational) fire doesn’t hurt,” he politely contested the notion that Villanueva caused the Cardinals to raise their agression and their game.
“Lookit, we’re going to play hard no matter what,” Glaus said. “We’re not going to put out any more effort just because something like that happened. That’s not who we are or how we go about playing the game.”I know that goes against an attractive storyline, but I think Glaus is right …* No, the 8th inning comeback wasn’t ignited by Villanueva. It was ignited by Pujols, who had a great AB against tough RH Milwaukee reliever David Riske, drilling one to right-center for an opposite field double. Pujols’ leadership in confronting Villanueva wouldn’t have meant much unless Pujols, the great hitter, stood up to stroke that double to get something positive underway in the 8th. Ryan Ludwick - who absolutely should be the full-time cleanup hitter — followed with his own double to make it 3-2. Glaus singled in Luddy to tie it at 3-3. And Glaus made a heads-up baserunning move, taking second base on CF Mike Cameron’s throw home. Then Molina chipped in with an unselfish and smart AB, pushing the ball to the right side for a 4-3 ground out that moved Glaus to third. Next, manager Tony La Russa won the manager’s duel against Milwaukee’s Ned Yost. With LH hitting Skip Schumaker up, Yost brought in lefty reliever Brian Shouse. Skip doesn’t hit lefties well, so La Russa countered with someone who does: infielder Aaron Miles, a .311 hitter against LHP. And Miles was 2 for 4 against Shouse. Miles didn’t have a great AB, but he chopped a ground ball to shortstop J.J. Hardy, who hurried his throw home to nab Glaus. The throw short-hopped catcher Jason Kendall, and Glaus scored for a 4-3 STL lead. Bottom line: Miles got it done. And after a nifty SAC bunt by pinch-hitter Braden Looper, Felipe Lopez singled to in Miles to make it 5-3. The Cardinals played intelligent, opportunistic, sharply executed baseball in that home half of the 8th. La Russa used his personnel the right way. A pitcher, Looper, came off the bench to execute a SAC bunt. Glaus ran the bases perfectly. The thumpers (Pujols and Ludwick) got the ball flying. Miles put the ball in play. Lopez did what he had to do. Molina gave himself up to move Glaus over. I’m probably forgetting something; just about everyone who stepped on the field for the Cardinals in the 8th put in their piece.
Did the chucklehead Villanueva incite the Cardinals? Maybe.
But I’d like to think that Pujols got ‘em going, and the Cardinals kicked in and played an excellent inning of baseball.
* One more thing: I don’t understand the Brewers. I just don’t. Really, I admire that team and its talent. Doug Melvin is one of the best guys in the game and an excellent GM. There are so many good players on that roster. But why do the Brewers always have to pull stunts? Why do they have to go knucklehead on us so often? What’s up with yanking their shirts out of their pants on the field as soon as they win a game, which, despite what they claim, really is an insult to the other team? What’s up with some of the showboat HR trots? What’s up with a journeyman like Villanueva gesturing wildly and cursing in the direction of the STL dugout? I don’t understand why this talented team feels that it needs to act up like NBA bad boy Ron Artest, or something. I don’t understand why this Milwaukee team feels the need to be controversial. I don’t understand the arrogance, considering that the Brewers have won NOTHING since 1982. And I don’t understand how Yost continues to allow it to happen. The Brewers will probably make the playoffs. They are that good. But we must ask: can you fellas at least hold off on the showboating until you actually win something?
Oh, and one more thing before I go.
Two words: Chris Perez.
Thanks for reading, and sorry I broke my vow to write shorter blogs… but I guessed you might want to see all of Pujols’ comnents.
-B
First off let me say I’m a Cards season ticket holder and lifelong Cards fan. But I have to agree with Ohio Fan. Look at the replay. Villanueva didn’t point at the Cards dugout until Pujols said something. In my opinion it appeared that Carlos was probably walking towards his catcher after getting him out of the jam. Pujols could have interpretted it as something else. After reading a lot of these blogs I feel that a lot of Cards fans come across as baseball snobs. I even realized it when I went to Miller Park in April to watch the birds play. (Thank God for Turnbow or we would have lost). The point was even there Cards fans were running their mouths claiming World Series in April that I was embarrassed to be there.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that no matter how much we can cream ourselves over the good comeback yesterday…the fact is the Brewers have owned us this year. Period. Maybe payback comes next year.
First off, I was incredibly pumped up after that game. It was great to see a rally.
Secondly, I’ve been reading some of the blogs of Brewers’ fans who are commenting repeatedly on how “innocuous” Villanueva’s actions were, how how “stupid” Pujols was for getting in his face, AND for saying that his pointing to the sky or watching his home runs is just as offensive. I have some things to say about these things:
a) Apparently, Villanueva didn’t just make a “fist pump”, which IS totally innocuous, almost expected. I didn’t see what actually happened, because all the footage focuses on the pop-up, Albert going off, etc. However, if what happened really DID happen, that is completely unnecessary.
b) Both ways, sometimes stuff happens. People get upset when they’re frustrated, and it’s just human nature to blow up every once and a while when your team just can’t get runs and wins when they really need to do so. And again, if Villanueva taunted the dugout like it seemed like he did, then I don’t blame Albert for going off. The Brewers have a great team, and have fended off the Cardinals and other teams with great pitching and some great at-bats. But you don’t take the win and rub it in someone else’s face.
c) The watching homeruns and pointing to the sky is not in the same group as taunting the dugout. Does it rub it in the face of the pitcher when he watches the home runs? Not necessarily. I can see how someone might think that, as if to say, “I’m admiring my handiwork, I am awesome, etc.” But here’s honestly what I think: if a ball pops up like that, it’s not necessarily a home run. It could be a REALLY long pop-up. Albert doesn’t run well. I think half the time he’s watching to see where it goes. BUT, if he DOES watch his home runs go, really, I’ve seen many players do that, and I haven’t taken it to mean anything other than, “Cool. Home run.”
The pointing to the sky thing: everyone who knows anything about Albert Pujols knows that he is a man of extreme devotion when it comes to his faith. Sure, he makes tons of money, is a power player, is revered by many a fan, but also, he’s a devout Christian. He points to the sky to show reverence, to keep Christ in his life at all times, and to never forget the point of his life. There’s nothing wrong with that- MANY players do that- and honestly, if THAT is taken as an insult, there’s something wrong with you.
One point of contention I do have with some fans is the Brewers untucking of the shirts. It started with Cameron, as an homage to his father, and his teammates adopted it as a way to keep themselves pumped after a game. A lot of people are taking issue with it, and I really believe it matters what context is placed. After understanding WHY, I don’t give a damn. It’s not like they’re taking down their pants and running around like crazy people- they’re just untucking their shirts, in honor of a player’s father. Good on them if that’s what it means, is important, and understood.
Long and short, stuff happens.
So are you a journalist or a cheerleader for the Cardinals?
“But why do the Brewers always have to pull stunts? Why do they have to go knucklehead on us so often?”
Go knucklehead on “us?” How much does the team pay you? Because I was unaware they’ve gone knucklehead on the press box, buy it seems you must take in the games from the dugout. Way to call out the Brewers for watching HR trots while Pujols is the most notorious offender not named Soriano in the game. But in your press release, er, interview of him, you so conveniently let him skirt that issue.
Wow, Villy could’ve handled himself better, I’ll agree, but the Cards are the arrogant ones. Everytime the Brewers are in town, LaRussa and crew are complaining about something. That never happens anywhere else the Brewers go. Maybe it’s the Cards that are a little sensitive. Do the Cards think they are the baseball police? Maybe they should look in the mirror. How many helmuts were flying across the field last night as they pouted like toddlers? To say the shirt untucking is disrespectful is laughable. Sheeeesh, apparently you are a bunch of softies down there. It’s something Mike Cameron has done his whole career in tribute to his father. As a team gesture, they do it together. I’ve never seen such blind hypocrites. LaRussa needs to get off his high horse.
And if you are a journalist, get it right. Villanueva a journeyman? He’s 24 years old! He has every right to get pumped up after that out. Whether he actually pointed at the dugout is questionable. It did look like he glanced over, but my god, get some thicker skin you pansies. With the exception of Braun, I’d say that the team handles itself with class 99% of the time. Ryan is a cocky kid and I’d probably hate him if he wasn’t on the Brewers. The Cards need to start looking in the mirror and realize that they aren’t the second coming. LaRussa is anything but classy (see drink driving, defending roid users endlessly). Toughen up St Louis. This isn’t kidergarten, this is major league baseball. Gotta go, someone just untucked their shirt in front of me. I feel the tears a comin’
How are the rose colored glasses working out for all you in St. Louis today?
This is some good stuff. Hilarious. Hey, thanks Albert Pujols and the Cardinals for trying to teach my Brewers the right way to play the game. Because you are the experts right? The keepers of all that’s holy in baseball?
So have the Brewers been deficient in slamming down helmets after making outs this season or what? I don’t really recall that happening this season, yet I see it twice in one game out of those “classy” Cardinals who only know how to “respect the game”.
Also, loving the beanball on Braun and right to the ribs where he’s been fighting an injury too. Lip smacking classy-ness.
And you’re still whining about the Brewers untucking their shirts after they win a game? Really? Seems to me there’s a sure fire way to prevent that from happening. Maybe it’s time to man up and explore those options before crying to mommy.
Also, love the “journeyman” comment about Villanueva. Classy. Uh, if you’re going to write a baseball blog, it would help if you had some knowledge about what you were writing about. He’s spent his whole major league career so far with the Brewers. It’s his second full season and third year total. He’s got the talent and potential to be a solid starter. He’s 24 years old. But yeah, “journeyman”…nice.
Preach away minister. I would expect a team would get tired of dropping 10 out of 15 games in a season, but to just start whining like 5 year olds? Wow.
Honestly, if you guys only knew how this (Cardinals complaints) is being talked about in Milwaukee and Wisconsin. We’re flabbergasted. We’re like, “Seriously?” The watching homeruns thing, ok we get that. But all this other pissy stuff, it’s really amazing how big of an issue is being made of it. And folks, we’re not feeling too sorry for you.
Enjoy your off season at home watching our thug Brewers in the playoffs.
That’s right Albert…you don’t like it when guys disrespect the game…..LAY OFF THE JUICE LOSER!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Bernie…
I think winning 10 of 15 allows the Brewers to untuck their shirts.
A point in Bernie’s defense. Do you guys know what journeyman means? Not an apprentice, not a master? A young guy who travels around getting experience from other tradesmen? It means he’s newly minted, NOT that he’s been around to a lot of different teams and is washed up.
Are Bernie and the rest of you in your twenties. Apparantely, no one remembers 1982 when Joaquin Andujar, one of the most arrogant, disrespectful, hotheads in baseball use to ’shoot’ down the base runner as he was running to first with his hand in the shape of a gun. He did that not only in the regular season, but in the World Series as well. That kind of disrespect was allowed by the team and of course opposing players took exception to it all the time. But it still happened. I agree, that Villenueva should not have gestured towards the Cards dugout, but this whining had already begun before the
Brewers even arrived for this series. So, before that incident happened everyone could see that the Cardinals and their fans were just cryin’ that the Brew Crew were flat out woopin’ them in their own backyard.
I believe a journeyman is someone that has been around for a while….longer than an apprentice. Villanueva is not a journeyman…he isn’t even a veteran. A kid…I detest sour grapes on the cards players. See you next year!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bernie…you should have your facts straight about players before you write about them…that is called good journalism. I know you thought Carlos was around for a while that is why you used “journeyman”
Bob Uecker blows away Jack Buck!!!!!!!!!