Two men hit three home runs, respectively, in Major League Baseball games last Sunday.
One carried a smug look of defiance and unhappiness with him around the bases.
One could barely keep a smile off his face.
One showed up the pitcher after his third home run by tossing the bat at least 20 yards.
One took a quick hop, skip and jump out of the batter’s box following his third homer of the day and dashed around the bases with his head down.
The first man is reigning National League Most Valuable Player Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals. The veteran.
The second man is native St. Louisan and sudden MVP candidate Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies. The reigning Rookie of the Year.
While Pujols has suddenly become irritating with some of his words and actions, Howard is endearing himself to the American public.
Both men again homered on Monday, Labor Day. Howard’s homer helped his team stay within a game of the Wild Card postseason berth. He didn’t fling the bat a mile from the batter’s box. He just quickly jogged around the bases. His curtain call was short and sweet.
Meanwhile, Pujols got the second of the Cards’ two pitiful hits in the ninth inning. While his team was nearly no-hit by the youthful Ramon Ortiz of the Washington Nationals, Pujols again violently hurled his bat and all but thumped his chest after his home run spoiled the shutout. Moments after Pujols touched home plate and pointed to the sky, the Cards lost 4-1. You would have thought Pujols’ home run tied the score or put the Cardinals ahead in the game.
I’ve written in the past what an outstanding player and man Pujols is. The father of a special-needs child and founder of the charitable Pujols Foundation, the Redbirds’ slugger has his heart in the right place, obviously.
But I wondered last week what is on his mind right now. His actions with the bat following his home runs this week just aren’t what Cardinal Nation is used to seeing from its players.
What this baseball-crazy town should appreciate more is the attitude and accomplishment of Ryan Howard.
In fact, the city should be pulling for him to not only win the MVP award, but to also surpass 61 home runs. As of Tuesday, Howard had 53 home runs. He is eight short of Roger Maris’ 61, and many baseball historians consider this the true single-season home run record.
Barry Bonds’ 75, Mark McGwire’s 70 and Sammy Sosa’s 66 are clouded by the steroid controversy.
Just think about it: a black kid from St. Louis would be considered the game’s single-season home run king.
This is fantastic, folks. This is something that this region should be fixated on, especially African American sports fans. MLB is desperate to increase the number of black players taking the field each night. What better advertisement than Howard’s home run rampage. He’s also hitting more than .300. His 134 RBI lead the Majors, as do his 53 home runs.
The Cardinals are headed to the playoffs. The Phils might not make it. This could be the difference in the MVP race. If Pujols prevails, more power to him.
But I am captivated by the thought of Ryan smacking just nine more home runs. This son of St. Louis would be forever remembered as the first guy who really helped erase the steroid scandal from many of our minds. Indeed, he would be proof that a man who is not on steroids or human growth hormone (for all we know) can surpass Maris’ record.
The game needs Ryan, right now.
So, while he is not playing in St. Louis, he belongs to us. Phils’ fans are cheering him on, but St. Louis residents should be living and dying with each at bat.
So go, Ryan, go. Reach that magic mark of 62, heck even beat it. Lead your team to the playoffs and win that MVP award.
This St. Louisan is solidly behind you – others should be too.
