Pujols Controversy
 

Does anyone else think people are making a big deal over nothing? I mean, he watched his homerun for what, 2 seconds? I personally think that Sosa's little hop every time he hits a homer is much more offensive.

I didn't see the Pujols HR, but Sosa is one of the biggest hams ever.

I hit a home run and he watched it, let him enjoy it.

Probably wasn't beaned on purpose, but he still was.

I think in the 11th inning you can watch home runs for as long as you want.

The weird thing is that the pitch that hit him the next day was the slowest breaking ball of all time.

I personally subscribe to the Walter Payton and Barry Sanders theory of "act like you've been there before" mode of celebrations. Yes, I understand it's a different sport--yet it has a place in baseball.

Sammy Sosa hops after every homerun. Barry Bonds stands and gazes lovingly at each blast. Act like you've been there before, gentlemen. Sosa and Bonds are 2 of the greatest home run hitters of all-time, so you think they would be used to it by now.

If it's a game winner in extra innings, like Pujols, I understand a little more of a celebration. However, if the game isn't on the line, or if it isn't a 500 foot blast, or if it isn't a record breaking homerun....JUST RUN THE DAMN BASES.

Act like you've been there before.

what's 30 seconds in a game that take 3 hours anyways though?

What's the deal ?

He could easily get to first if he saw that the ball bounced off the wall, imo.

I laughed when one of the sports shows pointed out that when a third string wide recceiver in the NFL makes a catch, he dances around like he's auditioning for Flashdance. But when a proven baseball star hits a game winning home run, he can't watch it go. The double-standard is amazing.

The problem here lies with the Padres, the team that lost to him and hit him the next day. Take your loss the day before like a man. He beat you, and beat you bad. Suck it up, and go play some baseball.

Pitchers are pissed enough that he hits homers off them, so I can see why they don't appreciate his gazing at it.

I am on Pujols's side though.

C'mon now, even if it was the slowest curver ever, Albert was intentionally hit. That kind of crap was supposed to be taken care of, but we still have to deal with it.

As for standing and watching, he only did it for like 3 seconds, F*** You Padres, esp. if you can't take it.

In my personal views, I would love for all the pro sports to fine/eject players that dance like Soul Train every time they do anything, catch a ball, drop a ball, hit a home run, etc.

My $.02.

I agree with grayman that Pujols did nothing wrong. There are definately more offensive things that other players do all the time and get away with. I think that a lot of people are just prejudiced against the midwest.

I heard that much the same way, but attributed to Bear Bryant. When asked why his players didn't celebrate a touchdown, he replied, "They've been there before."

Anyway, I agree with you. Football is my favorite sport, but I hate seeing those dances in the endzone. Sportsmanship is about not showing up the other guy or team. Congratulating your teammate on the way back to the sidelines or dugout is totally acceptable.

The first time I saw the replay of the home run, I didnt even noticed that he stared at it any longer than normal. The Padres just need something to take their minds off their season.

Sports = Entertainment

Let them do their stuff. And oh yeah, let the pitchers respond the next day.

This is more a respect issue I think. Bonds has done an extreme amount of shit after hitting a home run, Sosa did alot, McGuire was slow alot of the times (but then again, he never was that fast late in his career). When you go on down the line, alot of players do the same thing, it might have just been Pujols is a young kid and the Padres are just frustrated because they're competing with the Tigers for the worst record in baseball.

It would have been more entertaining to see Pujols beat the crap out of the catcher and the pitcher and shut them both up.

Don't like the celebration?

Don't give the the home run. Simple

Sosa's hop is almost a reflex.

You want show offs? Barry Bonds and Bret Boone.

Bonds just watches it until it lands. Boone does the cockiest bat flip ever!

let him watch it, and also let the pitcher beane him for it, that is what baseball was.

That's one of baseball's unwritten rules. You will get hit for doing that crap. I did see the replay and he was posing. Baseball players take getting shown up seriously. Didn't you guys ever see The Warriors?

A-Rod did a longer pose when he hit his game winning Grand Slam. Any retaliation? Nope.

A-Rod is in that same superstar category as Bonds and Sosa. Pujols is not a superstar yet. Besides it doesn't always have to be the guy that did the deed to get plunked.