Our greatest fear became a reality today as the money-happy Anaheim Angels reeled in the biggest signing of all: Albert Pujols. Pujols signed a 10 year $250 million dollar deal with the Angels, thus ending Pujols’  incredible reign as a St. Louis Cardinal.

I have to say that I never thought I would be seeing Albert in a new uniform. The Cardinals would not increase their longstanding offer to Pujols which was speculated to be around 9 years for just over 200 million. Meanwhile, the Angels were willing to up the annual total and give him an extra year, something the Cardinals were reluctant to do for their 32 year-old first baseman given his physical problems and declining stats.

Like Lebron James, who back-stabbed the only franchise he had ever known and the city that worshiped him in order to take the quick money in Anaheim, Albert Pujols allowed his ego and his thirst for recognition lead him into the arms of the Angels. It is hard for me to fathom and even believe that this is real, but it is. All of Cardinal Nation has a big bullet wound right in the heart of a fan base that just six weeks ago was celebrating along with Pujols as the team won its eleventh World Series Championship.

It’s difficult to believe that Albert Pujols, who went to high school in Missouri, came up with the Cardinals, lived in the great city of St. Louis most of his life, and has a restaurant and charity located out of St. Louis, has abandoned the city that had loved him so much. Pujols, an eleven year member of the Cardinals, was on track to break nearly all offensive records in franchise history, and is arguably the second greatest Cardinal hitter of all time behind Stan Musial. Pujols’s final line as a Cardinal: .328 AVG, 445 HR, 1,329 RBI’s, 2,073 hits, 455 doubles, 3 MVP’s, nine time All Star, two time Gold Glover, six time Silver Slugger, and he was the 2001 Rookie of the year.

Remember when Pujols claimed that it was not about the money but about winning? Well, he has two World Series rings, one National League Championship and has only missed the playoffs four times in his MLB career. Oh, and remember when he said he wanted to be a Cardinal for life?  Well, they still offered him a huge contract and never once questioned him about his age, which is believed to be only 32.

I am really ashamed of Pujols. I thought there was still good in the game of baseball and that it wasn’t all about the money. Cliff Lee proved me right a year ago, taking less years and less money to play for the team that he loved and respected - the Phillies. Pujols will always be a Cardinal in my mind, and I am sure in the minds of many, but at least for now he is the player I now hate the most and I hope the Angels fail and that Pujols regrets not re-joining the team that he once loved.

As for the Cardinals, they must now move on. Without Pujols, Lance Berkman is their first baseman and Allen Craig will be the starting right fielder, once he returns from a recent knee surgery that is expected to sideline him at least through opening day. The Cardinals now have at least 16 million to spend, they could use a few relievers, short stop, second baseman, and another outfielder. There have also been rumors recently that the Cardinals might bring Ryan Ludwick back as their platoon partner with Jon Jay, that would be great news he is a true Cardinal and a fan favorite that loves the fans as much as they love him….apparently unlike Pujols.

Goodbye, Albert, and thanks for the memories.