PITY PARTY

Pujols and LaRussa

Poor Albert Pujols, he’s in pain!

What’s his pain about?

Why the poor guy left the Cardinals for $250 Million for 10 years, and the Cardinals treated it like it was a business deal.

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“La Russa said Pujols has been "in pain'' since he accepted the Los Angeles Angels' 10-year, $254-million offer.

"I know it was a painful decision and it pains him now," La Russa said. "He deserves what he got. He earned it. There's no bad guy here. I think the Cardinals went where they thought they should go. If they can't go farther, they shouldn't."

La Russa underscored the sense of disappointment Pujols felt about the Cardinals' negotiating tactics and recounted a process that left the Angels to overwhelm the Cardinals' bid and Pujols to 'struggle" with reconciling their aggressive interest against the Cardinals' cautious approach.”

Prior to the forced signing on to the Angels roster for $25.4 Million a year, Mr. Pujols and his agent viewed the whole Free Agency racket as just a business. It seems now Mr. Pujols is a little upset that the Cards treated his signing like a business. Man, where IS the heart in those Cardinals?

RAMIREZ TO REYES… OOPS!

Ramirez

“As soon as I have the opportunity, I’m going to talk to him, because we are very good friends,” Reyes said. “We’re both here for one reason—to win the World Series. It doesn’t matter where I’m going to play or where he’s going to play.”

Seems like Hanley Ramirez forgot his manners! Hasn’t spoken to or even text messaged his good pal and fellow Dominican, since the Marlins told him to make room for Reyes. I mean if you are the starting anything, and your boss comes along and says: “Jocko, I got someone else who can do your job better, you go over there and do something else.” Then you are maybe a little upset? Maybe Hanley is out looking for a welcome gift for Reyes. There are people who think Ramirez is a better shortstop than Reyes! Can’t wait for this to play out.

PLAXICO BURRESS MEETING AN OLD FRIEND

Plaxico Burress

"If it wasn't for him going through what he went through and coming back, maybe I wouldn't have gotten that chance,"

Vick and Burress talk about once a week; while Plaxico was in jail, the Eagles quarterback spoke to his family often.

When Plaxico Burress went to jail for accidently shooting himself in the leg, he spent 20 months behind bars, wondering what would become of him. One thing that came out of his sentence was these two words: Michael Vick.

It was Vick who had spent time behind bars and became a friend of Plaxico and counseled him and the Burress family when Plaxico did his time. Plaxico feels that if it weren’t for Vick, he might not be playing football today.

Knicks Top Nets

The New York Knicks topped the New Jersey Nets 92-83 in their preseason opener. Stay tuned for the preseason closer on Wednesday as the same two teams go at it, this time in Madison Square Garden in NYC.

Reds trade for Latos in multi-player deal with cincinnati

Latos

The rebuilding of the San Diego Padres took a new turn when they traded 24-year-old right-hander Mat Latos to the Cincinnati Reds for four players – first baseman Yonder Alonso, right-hander Edinson Volquez and two prospects, catcher Yasmani Grandal and right-hander Brad Boxberger.

The Reds paid a high price for Latos, who has the potential to be an ace, judging by his 14 victories and 2.92 ERA for San Diego in 2010. In 2011 – he posted a 9-14 record, dropping in WHIP, strikeouts and walks. Latos is known for occasional occasional immature outbursts, but it appears not to concern the Reds who looked for more pitching for the Reds. The Reds pitching staff did not pitch well this past season as they did last year, when they won the NL Central.

The new Padres acquired – Alonso, Grandal and Boxberger – who were first-round picks for the Reds.

Latos’ has about a 95-mph fastball range and the ability to pitch deep into games;  6 1/3 innings average per start, and strikeout numbers that are very good.

The Padres, in the meantime, added three young great players with potential. Coming from the Reds;

Alonso, 24, becomes the Padres’ regular first baseman. Batting .330 in 47 games for the Reds in 2011.

The switch-hitting Grandal is a catcher, and Boxberger a starter and reliever or even a potential closer.

Just another sports day folks!