Most of the Cardinals emptied their Busch Stadium lockers Sunday before returning to their winter homes. Pending free agents Matt Holliday, Todd Wellemeyer, Joel Piņeiro and Rick Ankiel were among those who came and went.

And in perhaps his final show of disdain for local media he long distrusted, Ankiel promised to return from loading his car for an exit interview.

However, once he reached the players' parking lot Ankiel never looked back.

Staff also hustled reporters from the clubhouse about five minutes before first baseman Albert Pujols arrived.

Approached by several club employees, including general manager John Mozeliak, about addressing reporters for the first time since Saturday's loss, Pujols declined.

Though the overwhelming majority of Cardinals players made themselves available, Pujols has chosen not to discuss a series in which the Cardinals scored six runs while their MVP candidate was repeatedly walked intentionally by Dodgers manager Joe Torre.

Pujols' quick exit after Saturday's loss did not go unnoticed by several teammates.