Numbers bring only suspicion for Pujols

Washington Times ^ | 5-23-06 | Dan Daly

[JZelle]

How would you like to be Albert Pujols right now? I'm not talking about his 22 homers in the Cardinals' first 44 games; anybody would like to be that Albert Pujols. I'm talking about all the suspicion swirling around baseball, all the doubt Prince Albert has to deal with. "I'm sick and tired of people saying it, that I'm not 26," he said after belting another one out of the park Sunday. "I know how old I am, and I know that I don't use any of those bad things people are talking about that I use." Our "national pastime" has become the Game That Can't Be Trusted. Fans have a hard time deciding what's real anymore. The media guide says Pujols was born Jan. 16, 1980, in the Dominican Republic, but we've all heard the jokes about Dominican birth certificates. He could just as easily have been born Jan. 19, 1680. (Which would really be a story.)

[ken5050]

FYI..

[eraser2005]

I'd like to think Pujols is clean - there certainly is no evidence that he's taken anything, unlike the mountain of evidence against Bonds.

Maybe he should take a voluntary drug test to clear his name from rumors? Its a screwed-up world when you have to take a drug test to prove yourself innocent, but that's the kind of world baseball is nowadays...

[surelyclintonsbaddream]

The St Louis Post Dispatch reported today that he has been tested 3 times already this season.
If you are hitting homeruns you are going to be tested and looked at more closely now. How sad for players like him who are clean.

[Wolfie]

...and I know that I don't use any of those bad things people are talking about that I use."

Uh-huh. And steroids?

[WesternPacific]

People are surprised at the growth of NASCAR, but if you look at the turmoil in other American sports, (drugs, labor strikes, spoiled players, players resembling thugs, etc...) NASCAR really is America.

I wonder how long it will be until race cars are accused of being juiced?

[eraser2005]

I wonder how long it will be until race cars are accused of being juiced? Happens all the time already. Spoilers too big, too small, illegal carbs, wrong tires, engine too big, etc....

[SCALEMAN]

There are disqualifications in NASCAR and other motor sports. You only hear about them if if involves a winner or an icon. Otherwise, it is just a routine rules infraction.

[Da Bilge Troll]

Uh-huh. And steroids?

What "bad things" do you think he's talking about?

[WesternPacific]

I wonder how long it will be until race cars are accused of being juiced?

Sorry should have put a sarcastic label on my above comment.

[SCALEMAN]

Thanks for the ping. It's amazing that these rumors and innuendo get circulated with no evidence or basis.

Pujols hasn't ballooned up, gotten bigger all of a sudden etc etc.

There have been no broken corked bats and he has passed multiple drug tests.

So now they are gonna question how old he is? Jeeeeze.

[Wolfie]

Beats me. When a grown man starts equivocating, I get suspicious.

[SCALEMAN]

I really like this part of the article:
What's done can't be undone by Albert Pujols hitting 22 homers in 44 games. It can't be undone, either, by Pujols sticking up for Bonds, telling fans to "give him a break" and to "respect the numbers ... he has put up." (It's interesting, though, that he told them to respect "the numbers" rather than the man.) By going to bat for Bonds, all Pujols does is lump himself in with him, and that's the last thing any player should want. Why in the world would Albert do it? Doesn't he realize that if it weren't for Barry and his kind, his life would be infinitely more pleasurable, that he wouldn't have to keep insisting to a questioning public that "I don't use any of those bad things people are talking about that I use"? He gets questioned daily about Bonds, responds in an interview and gets slammed for it? What was he supposed to say about an active player? No comment? He's a bad boy? Someone needs to get a life.

[pnz1]

Did any of this stuff come up when McGuire and Sosa were hitting all the home runs?

[38special]

Yea, he should be suspended for the rest of the season. (Astros fan here talking)...

[Da Bilge Troll]

Well, while he speaks English well, he is not a native. I don't think he's equivocating. Just the opposite: I think he's generalizing, taking in all the "bad things" - including steroids. I don't think he will stay on an 81 HR pace, but he may make it into the 60's and, considering his record, that would not be outrageous.

[Da Bilge Troll]

Yea, he should be suspended for the rest of the season. (Astros fan here talking)...

LOL! As a Card's fan, I think the 'Stros are tough enough as is!

[ShadowAce]

Considering that he's offered to be tested at any time, any place, any how, I believe he's clean.

Besides, you can't argue with his first five years as a player. No one has done what he's done. He's just remained consistent, unlike some other giant players....

[surelyclintonsbaddream]

I don't recall hearing it. It started with Mcquire after he testified in front of congress.
I think it is b/c of the Bonds issue.
I feel bad for him. He is clean but there is a cloud over him b/c of others.
Almost like guilty till proven innocent. Not trying to make excuses, but he going 0-15 or so is just not Albert. Wonder how much is getting to him. I would really be upset if I had people "wondering" if he was legit.