Pujols signs 10-year deal with Angels

Posted on December 8, 2011

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals loosens up in the on deck circle against the San Francisco Giants during Opening Day at AT&T Park on April 8, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

 

The news hit me over the head early this morning when I woke up listening to my co-author and buddy Brian Murphy on KNBR radio. Free agent Albert Pujols, who had been rumored to be going to Miami, Chicago (Cubs), or staying home in St. Louis, had shocked everyone by signing a massive 10-year contract for $250 million to play for the Angels in Anaheim. Oh man. What a shock! This made me happy. I hate it when the big star players sign with east coast teams that train in Florida. By signing with the Angels I would have the chance to photograph him in Arizona during spring training and in Oakland many times each season. When Pujols played with the Cardinals I would only see him once a year in San Francsico, thus missing out in the chance to photograph one of the all-time greats.

Soon after the Pujols news broke it was announced that the Halos had also inked star lefty free agent pitcher C. J. Wilson to a five-year deal. The Angels have instantly become the team to beat in the American League West by assembling an insane pitching staff that will have great run support. You know the phone lines at Angel Stadium are jammed right now with fans wanting season tickets for 2012.

My favorite Pujols memory took place in late October when I had the chance to photograph him belting three monster home runs in Game 3 of the World Series against the Texas Rangers in Arlington. I was shooting from third base that night near the Cardinals owners box. The section of red-clad folks from St. Louis were going crazy with each and every bomb Pujols hit. They got their World Series championship several days later, but are suffering through a sad day today. Pujols is gone and he aint coming back. I can’t wait to shoot him at Tempe Diablo Stadium in March!