Dark Bilious Vapors

Albert seems to share something in common with ultra-competitive sorts like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. That is, he seems personally affronted when he isn't doing well, as if every time he pops up or strikes out the planets had fallen out of orbit or the universe had slipped out of its regular time-space axis. Sometimes this wounded-animal approach can fuel Albert's fire -- it might even be key to his work ethic and success -- but other times it seems a distraction (like today, when he let home plate ump Angel Hernandez get under his skin in the bottom of the 10th).

If I was Pujols' therapist, I'd say, "Look, Al, even when you're slumping you're a great player. A .405 on-base percentage and a .574 slugging percentage? Be happy with that. No need to press." And then next I'd say, "Can I have an autograph? It's for my two-year-old nephew."
--Brian Gunn

Len on 05.04.04 @ 07:18 AM CST