Entering last night, I had pretty much been on Albert Pujols’ side with regards to the actions he took in the aftermath of Thursday’s World Series Game 2. That is, until he chose to make some fairly insensitive comments about this controversy.
His arrogance when discussing the issue, in which he was actually “in the right,” was disheartening to say the least. Throughout his statement, he made a number of good points regarding the frequency in which he does address the media and the rarity that he skips out on a chance to answer tough questions. All very valid points and all quite true.
Then there was this statement from ESPN.com, “My responsibility is to my God and my family, I don’t have any responsibility to anybody else.”
I’m not a religious person, but I respect the rights of anyone and everyone to practice their faith. That being said, this is a fairly arrogant statement. Michael Young made some very valid points with regards to addressing the media and, while I know nothing of Young’s religious beliefs, it seems quite obvious that he recognizes the importance of treating others in the manner in which you’d like to be treated.
From the same article, “I do think there is a responsibility,” Young said. “You guys have a job to do. These are big games and it’s just a matter of being respectful. You guys have jobs to do, too. You’re not here for your health. If I can help I will.”
Pujols could perhaps think about someone else in the equation besides his god and his family. Other people have those things, too. It’s not all about him.
This was one of those non-issues magnified by the magnitude of the World Series. Had it been a regular season game, it wouldn’t even be noticed by most of the national press. It is the World Series, though. To somehow act shocked or amazed that normally minor stories can become major would be naive to say the least. If Pujols was eating his postgame meal, and was not notified that he was wanted by the media, then that’s fine. It’s okay to make a mistake, it’s okay to have a miscommunication.
It’s also okay to admit some form of fault. From Lance Berkman, another veteran who did not make himself available to the media, “That won’t happen again. I’ll make sure—if I have to stand in there—that one of us is available for comment, win or lose.”
Stan Musial is probably considered the greatest Cardinal in history. He probably made mistakes in his career, though. He also probably handled them with more grace than Pujols did. There were members of the media who, in the immediate aftermath of Thursday’s disappearing act, were quick to pounce all over Pujols, painting him in a terrible light for one of his few miscues. That was wrong. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Sorry Albert, you do have a responsibility to other people besides your god or your family. For a player with a fairly spotless reputation throughout a spectacular eleven-year career Pujols made a minor mistake on Thursday Night, and then compounded it by showing an inability to act like an adult. That doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy, it’s just disappointing.
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