Pujols Cannot Straighten Out His Arm

by cwyers on Jan 24, 2008 10:43 AM CST

Not kidding.

Pujols had a press conference a few days ago during the Cardinals Fan Fest. Mostly it was a conversation about steroids and journalistic ethics. But then there's this:

Pujols said he decided against offseason surgery on his right elbow, a trouble spot for several years, because he would have had to miss a significant portion if not all the 2008 season. Pujols still is unable to straighten his arm, but team doctors concluded that because he plays first base, an operation can be postponed.

He said his elbow bothered him the second half of last season, and said if that happens again he wouldn't try to soldier through it.

"If the same problem is happening this year, I don't think I'm to play the whole year the same way," Pujols said. "I sacrificed my body."

That can't be entirely good news for the Cardinals.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Comments

wow

I'm not an expert when it comes to baseball, nor do I pretend to be, but it seems to me that the inability to straighten your arm would be a problem. I'd be willing to bet that at some point this year he ends up having to get the surgery. idle speculation on my part, but it just seems like that is something that you would want to take care of.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Jan 24, 2008 10:45 AM CST reply actions

I dont think they can contend anyways....BUT

..fantasy baseball speaking this is good to know.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Jan 24, 2008 10:59 AM CST reply actions

Weeping here...

LaRussa provoking his players during the off-season. Adam Kennedy (.219/.282/.290 in '07) and Cesar Izturis (.276/.310/.333 in '07) making up the middle infield. Chris Carpenter still rehabbing. Edmonds gone. Rolen gone. Pujols can't straighten out his elbow.

The 2008 Cardinals are the gift that keeps on giving.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by daver on Jan 24, 2008 11:03 AM CST reply actions

Great post.

I reject your reality and substitute my own. ` Adam Savage Mythbusters

by lemon20pie on Jan 24, 2008 11:06 AM CST up reply actions

Thanks!

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by daver on Jan 24, 2008 11:09 AM CST up reply actions

Don't get me wrong...

...I love ripping on the Cards as much as the next guy, but I really, really, really like Pujols. See him tell off the news station that "reported" he took roids? The guy seems genuine, respectful of the game and its past, and, IMO, could be one of the greatest of all time if healthy. If I could will myself to buy one jersey non-Cubs, I think it'd be his.

Yup, I just read that again. I think I have a man-crush.

Must watch this Nike ad again...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4FXx6khWtI

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Jan 24, 2008 11:12 AM CST reply actions

Pujols and Brett Favre

I kind of feel about Pujols as I feel about Brett Favre.

I hate him for what he does to my favorite team but I can't help but admire his ability.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on Jan 24, 2008 11:26 AM CST reply actions

Ditto.

My thoughts exactly. He's the first Cardinal I've liked (and I couldn't even really enjoy Ozzie Smith). With Pujols, I think it's because we're both from the Kansas City area. - TL

"Why shouldn't we believe that we're going to win the World Series?" - Ted Lilly, 1/19/2008, Daily Herald interview w/Barry Rozner

by timlacy on Jan 24, 2008 5:01 PM CST up reply actions

If we were Cards fans...

I believe the protocol would be to say something like...

"Great news! I love when bad things happen to the Cardinals!"

MMMMM...my mother-in-law's homemade ravioli!

by Kinky Reggae on Jan 24, 2008 11:52 AM CST reply actions

Im very happy,

not only is he a Cardinal, but many of my buddies that i do fantasy baseball with arent the smartest when it comes to baseball. i can laugh my ass off when he gets taken top 5 now!

PIE!!!

by LilLPLancer23 on Jan 24, 2008 3:26 PM CST reply actions

Im not going to lie...

I goto Mizzou and am loving every second. Every cardinal fan here which seems like all 30,000 people here are all sad and don't even care about the season coming up, it is great.

As it goes for Pujols my friend was at a golf outing with the cards and told me a story of how he wouldn't sign a helmet for a kid who had some sort of health condition. I don't know if he has a contract to where he can only sign certain things, but if he doesn't thats just poor. Especially because he was the only person not to sign the helmet at the outing that included present and past cards.

Bottom line.... Even better for the Cubbies!

by dus22 on Jan 24, 2008 3:50 PM CST reply actions

Rock Chalk Jayhawk

Thanks for the oranges, and the bball game the other night.

Just f*ckin with ya, I know Mizzou got screwed over. Nobody's fault but the bowls, right?

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Jan 24, 2008 8:11 PM CST up reply actions

haha yeah im not going to say anything about

the BCS except you guys shocked a lot of people. As for basketball... were a football school...? haha

by dus22 on Jan 25, 2008 9:54 AM CST up reply actions

Charges $175 for an autograph at the Cards

version of the Cubs Convention

by IllinoisCubs on Jan 25, 2008 12:30 AM CST up reply actions

Pujols is a very..

...strong supporter of children with special needs, thats about all i like about him

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Jan 25, 2008 9:28 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah I thought so too until my buddy told me that

by dus22 on Jan 25, 2008 9:55 AM CST up reply actions

Maybe this is just me as a Cubs fan...

...but I've never really considered him that likeable. He seems to dislike media availabilities and it shows, which makes it hard (for me, at least) to see him as being charismatic or likeable.

As a hitter, I can see how you'd love what he does for your team. As a person? He's not particularly charming. To be fair, he doesn't have to be. Just an observation.

I would suggest you learn to truly interrupt all stats before using any selective stats. -- cubswin

by cwyers on Jan 25, 2008 10:02 AM CST up reply actions

Great hitter no doubt..

...on his way to having an attitude similiar to Bonds, I think so.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Jan 25, 2008 11:46 AM CST up reply actions

I agree

He doesn't come off as a genuinely nice guy. Plus he's a whiner. Remember when he cried to the media because he didn't win the MVP 2 years ago when Ryan Howard won? Great news for the Cubbies.

"You rub snot on the ball?" Ricky Vaughn

by McRipper on Jan 25, 2008 1:45 PM CST up reply actions

I have

....been posting on thecubsuck.com for years and they all agree Pujols attitude stinks.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Jan 25, 2008 2:27 PM CST up reply actions

re: I agree

True. And remember his whinefest after LaRussa didn't bat him at the end of last year's All-Star game? Cry me a freakin' river.

To be honest, Pujols reminds me a lot of another famous Cardinal -- Mark McGwire. Everyone says he's such a great, down-to-earth guy, but I just don't see it. On the field, Pujols, like McGwire, comes off as cocky and arrogant. Granted, Pujols does do some nice stuff for charity, but I've never been particularly impressed by his attitude. Of course, I'm not saying he's sunken to the level of a Barry Bonds just yet either, but he's no Ernie Banks.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by daver on Jan 25, 2008 3:05 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah

He's a crybaby. I guess you get a pass when you are one of the TOP 3 in baseball.

"You rub snot on the ball?" Ricky Vaughn

by McRipper on Jan 25, 2008 3:36 PM CST up reply actions

So what is the over/under

I'd say 145 for Games and 30 for HRs.

I'll take the under on both, that doesn't sound good.

by DudeVf11 on Jan 24, 2008 8:27 PM CST reply actions

Introducing your Cardinals starting lineup!

Izturis SS
Ankiel CF
Glaus 3B
Molina C
Duncan 1b
Schumaker RF
Kennedy 2B
Ludwick LF

Terrifying!

Live is boring until March 31st strolls by..

by Chanman25 on Jan 24, 2008 8:55 PM CST reply actions

See ya birds!

by IllinoisCubs on Jan 25, 2008 12:31 AM CST reply actions

pujols

175 bucks for an autograph.real nice.i remember collecting when they were free.and even if its for charity its way too much.these players live in a fantasy world.

by NOMAR on Jan 27, 2008 9:09 AM CST reply actions