Tonight the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers will play a Game 7 of the 2011 World Series. I have not watched the first six games but I have to admit, the Series has/will gone/go as one of the best. Albert Pujols became the third player to club three home runs in one game; joining legends Babe Ruth and Reggie Jackson. I guess it was fitting this occurred since Pujols' does not have a contract after 2011. Albert is the face of today's game, he is kind and polite but does not deserve what baseball pundits from major newspapers and media outlets (ESPN, USA Today, etc) speculate. After Alex Rodriguez set the bar at $27 million in his opt-out scheme with the New York Yankees several years ago (no hate for you Alex, we all know who your agent is), $30 million per year is the target mark projected for Pujols.

Pujols has spent his entire career with St. Louis. When you hear St. Louis you think of the old Gashouse Gang: Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock and Ozzie Smith. Albert's name is already in that group. Due to a two generation gap, it would not be fair to compare him to Musial but to today's baseball fans, he is nearing his equal. Pujols is in a win-win situation in St. Louis. Just to be basic, a 10 year / $200 million contract would cement him as a "walking immortal" in the city. And make him richer than he ever dreamed as a youth. Yet, this is America; where the dollars mostly outweigh everything else.

In my baseball heart, I think (and hope) Pujols would not back St. Louis into a $30 million a year dilemma. I am sure certain teams would give you $30 million per but at what cost to your legacy? As Pink Floyd sang, you can be 'another brick in the wall' in New York, Boston or Los Angeles. You can begin and end your career with one team, something you rarely see anymore. You have never tested positive for any PED use, therefore as I stated a few years ago, you are "The New Hope." Just imagine becoming the home run king, with one team. Hank Aaron played for two teams but his final days were spent in a city where his former team once played (Milwaukee, as a Brave then a Brewer). How many times did you dream as a 14 year-old about being mentioned in the same breath as Aaron? Some of my heroes growing up were Mike Schmidt and Reggie Jackson. My son's is you. I thought you would be a 'flash in the pan' and I was wrong. Please stay in St. Louis, if not for millions of current fans, how about an aging, grey-headed fan from yesterday?

Ichiro posted .300 plus averages for his first ten years in the majors, keep in mind he was 27 before he came to America. In 2011, he posted an average exactly 100-points below is career best .372 in 2004. His current hit total is 2428. He turns 38 this fall. It would be nice to watch him eclipse 3000 hits. It would also leave for argument how many he may have had, if he joined a major league team…five years prior. His average yearly hit totals after his eleven seasons are better than Pete Rose ever dreamed of. In Wade Boggs eleventh season, he posted a .259 average. In his first ten, he had one year below .325. Two years later he hit .342. Hang in there Ichiro…3000 hits is nearer than you think.

"In May 2011, Carter was diagnosed with four malignant tumors in his brain after complaining of headaches and forgetfulness. Doctors confirmed that he has Stage 4 glioblastoma, an extremely aggressive cancer. Doctors say that it is inoperable and Carter will undergo other treatment methods to shrink his tumor." The "Kid," nicknamed for his hustle and tenacity in 1974, is in the battle of his life. He gained fame with the old Montreal Expos during his 20's and was the catch for the 1986 New York Mets during their 1986 world conquest. Carter started the infamous Game 6 rally to force a game 7 and was the catcher on the final out of the '86 Series.

To me now, he was a Kid then. He returned to Montreal for a "Swan Song" in 1992. When he retired, he was younger than I am now. In many ways, I still see him as a 28 year-old carrying on the tradition of NL catchers after Johnny Bench. Gary you have always been a fighter and I am sure in this case, it is no different. You turned 57 this year and I would be honored to shake your hand when I am 57. You never knew the definition of "impossible" when you were a player, why should you now? My prayers are with you Mr. Carter.

"I have had to fight like hell and fighting like hell has made me what I am."- John Arbuthnot Fisher


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