Attention National League teams

[Bluzmann57]

Albert Pujols should never ever swing the bat. Walk him each and every time he's up unless the game is a blowout. Today was a prime example. 2 out, 2 on, bottom of the seventh, Astros lead 1-0, Oswalt was taken out for some other guy. The guy pitches to Pujols and lo and behold, Pujols plants the ball in downtown St. Louis and the Cardinals win 3-1. I'd rather take my chances and load the bases, especially with 2 outs than have Mr. Clutch beat me. Walk him every time.

[Reverend_Smitty]

1. That guy is bar none the best player in baseball

screw A-Rod and Bonds, there isn't a better player in the game right now but I can't help but think that he is not getting the recognition he deserves simply because he is not playing in a major market

[Bluzmann57]

2. Agreed

If he played in New York or Boston, he'd be hailed as the best ever, or close to it. And I'm a looooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnngggggggg suffering Cub fan, so it hurts me to see Pujols doing what he's doing in St. Louis. But let's give credit where it's due. The guy has worked hard on defense and is quite obviously a natural hitter, so he is the best.
edited- I gotta learn to type

[JohnKleeb]

3. He's also a class act off the field

It really is a shame that he doesn't get the attention he deserves. He's finally starting to but other than that he still is the most underappreciatd player in the game right now. Hard to believe he's only 26 years old too. I think if I started a team and I could have any one player to start it with it would be him because he's a leader, hits for power and average, and is the guy you want to be the face of your franchise.

[Ekirh]

4. Much love to Pujols

Just absolutely amazing. I'm a Braves fan and yet I was pulling for him over A. Jones (And I loved me some A. Jones when he got hot offensively last year but I was able to keep down my bias) for M.V.P and in fact I never thought for one second Pujols wouldn't of gotten it.

If he keeps this up he'll get it this year also.

[cboy4]

5. With all due respect, that's crap. I hate the intentional walk.

If you don't want guys like Pujols to go deep, I think the pitcher should be required to pitch around them (with the catcher remaining within the batters box area).

But to throw four wide ones.....I mean, people come to see guys like Pujols, Bonds and AROD swing the bat.

It takes all of the thrill out of the game, IMO

[Bluzmann57]

6. I hope you are anti DH as well

A DH isn't a real ballplayer, just a hitter. I don't mind an intentional walk, for strategy's sake. If they walk Pujols every time, Rolen or Edmonds has to beat you and they just may. So if that happens often enough, the walks to Pujols stop.

[cboy4]

7. Yup...I'm anti-DH also. My team plays in the N.L. West

Rolen and Edmonds are the reasons no manager is going to walk Pujols every single time.

They're not as good as Albert, but still dangerous.

Put Pujols on every time, and that's a free run for St. Louis if those guys homer.