Cardinal players = class acts (as tough as it is to say!!)

[polosprt009]

Me and my buddies (including fellow NSBBer's UMFan83 and jmajew) were lucky enough to get a prime spot in the bleachers, front row in front of the Cards batting cage entrance in right field. Before the game started we of course heckled most the players, but it didn't take long before we got into some good conversations with Larry Walker, David Eckstein, Skip Schumaker, and Mr. Albert Pujols himself. Being a Cardinal hater, I have to say that I was quite surprised by how nice these guys were and how they all had smiles about the fans heckling. All of them were quite the class act.

 

You can tell Schumaker was new to the majors cause he stuck around all smiles talkin to the fans much longer than the other players. At first we had no idea who he was so we asked "Are you new??" and he was like "Yea! My name is Skip Schumaker!" He was all proud to tell us his name, it was hilarious. Larry Walker soon came over and we were like "What are you doin here? We thought you retired!" His response was classic, "Hey, someone has to teach these f*ckers how to play!" Eckstein came over soon after and talked to the fans for a while. One fan was like "Hey Eckstein, you're 5'6'' right?" and he was like "Yea, I'm up to 170 now!" It was hilarious.

 

Pujols didn't come over at first but after a while made he his way over to us and talked with us for about five minutes. I told him that he needs to help the National League win the All Star game this year. He laughed and then got all serious and was like "You know, honestly, I'm not a big fan of how they made the All Star game determine who gets home field advantage in the World Series. They really need to change that." Of course he'd feel that way, it didn't seem to help them too much 2 years ago being swept and all ;) I don't remember much else of what we all talked about but I figured I'd go out on a limb and ask for a baseball. He was like "You want a ball? Hold on, one second" and then threw me the ball he was playing catch with Encarnacian. I couldn't believe it. A few moments later I asked if he wouldn't mind signing it for me and he was like "Sure, I don't mind at all. Hold on though, I have to do some batting practice, but as soon as I get out, I'll sign it for you." About ten minutes pass and then he came back and sure enough signed my ball. Tony (UMFan83) threw down his flask of rum and Pujols caught it and was like "No man, I'm sorry, I can't sign this!" and threw it back up. Haha, oh well, it was worth the try! Not too many people can say that Albert Pujols held their flask! :lol:

 

He only got to signing two balls, and apologized and had to go. I thanked him and said he was a class act, then he ran off. Not bad going to the park empty handed and leaving with a Pujols signed baseball!

 

http://www.jpzarkamusic.com/pujols.jpg

 

Fantastic memories for my first Opening Day and also first time in the Cubs bleachers. Even though it was freezin cold out, the Cubs couldn't have played better, we got to meet some of our rival players, and it was a fun day overall. While I usually partake in my fair share of Cardinal heckling, I couldn't help but not boo Pujols today. It just didn't feel right ;)

 

On a complete side note, we randomly bumped into Chicago-native actress Bonnie Hunt (mother in the movie Cheaper By the Dozen) at Blue Bayou after the game. What an interestingly random day this has turned out to be.

[CuseCubFan69]

It's a trick don't fall for it! They hire actors to come out before the game and be nice to the fans and then the real players come out for the game.

[sethuel1]

It's a trick don't fall for it! They hire actors to come out before the game and be nice to the fans and then the real players come out for the game.

 

Larry Walker is one of the most genuine, enjoyable players I've ever seen as far as his interactions with the bleacher faithful.

[polosprt009]

It's a trick don't fall for it! They hire actors to come out before the game and be nice to the fans and then the real players come out for the game.

 

LOL I knew something seemed fishy!

[snoodmonger]

nice story.

[Z38Cubs]

I hate Pujols the ballplayer, just because he's a Cardinal and he happens to be the best hitter in the game today, but there is no denying the guy is a quality individual. I'm sure you've all seen the sportscenter special about how he met his wife and found out she had a daughter with downs syndrome. Pujols adopted her as his own and he and his wife do charity work for kids with Downs syndrome. The guy is definitely quality.

[CuseCubFan69]

I hate Pujols the ballplayer, just because he's a Cardinal and he happens to be the best hitter in the game today, but there is no denying the guy is a quality individual. I'm sure you've all seen the sportscenter special about how he met his wife and found out she had a daughter with downs syndrome. Pujols adopted her as his own and he and his wife do charity work for kids with Downs syndrome. The guy is definitely quality.

 

I can't hate Pujols in any way. I devert it all to Edmonds.

[CuseCubFan69]

It's a trick don't fall for it! They hire actors to come out before the game and be nice to the fans and then the real players come out for the game.

 

Larry Walker is one of the most genuine, enjoyable players I've ever seen as far as his interactions with the bleacher faithful.

 

Darn Canadians! I've always enjoyed the way Walker plays the game and I've heard he is pretty good with the fans.

[polosprt009]

It's a trick don't fall for it! They hire actors to come out before the game and be nice to the fans and then the real players come out for the game.

 

Larry Walker is one of the most genuine, enjoyable players I've ever seen as far as his interactions with the bleacher faithful.

 

Darn Canadians! I've always enjoyed the way Walker plays the game and I've heard he is pretty good with the fans.

 

Speaking of him being Canadian, I forgot to mention that Walker was asking us "So.. how about that Canada vs. USA game in the WBC? Not bad huh?" We joked back saying "Yea, we thought we saw you there on the bench!"

[vaball]

Awesome story. Thanks for sharing. The Cardinals do, in fact, rule.

[YearofDaCubs]

It's a trick don't fall for it! They hire actors to come out before the game and be nice to the fans and then the real players come out for the game.

 

Larry Walker is one of the most genuine, enjoyable players I've ever seen as far as his interactions with the bleacher faithful.

 

Darn Canadians! I've always enjoyed the way Walker plays the game and I've heard he is pretty good with the fans.

 

Speaking of him being Canadian, I forgot to mention that Walker was asking us "So.. how about that Canada vs. USA game in the WBC? Not bad huh?" We joked back saying "Yea, we thought we saw you there on the bench!"

Classic comeback!!

[indifferent]

Me and my buddies (including fellow NSBBer's UMFan83 and jmajew) were lucky enough to get a prime spot in the bleachers, front row in front of the Cards batting cage entrance in right field. Before the game started we of course heckled most the players, but it didn't take long before we got into some good conversations with Larry Walker, David Eckstein, Skip Schumaker, and Mr. Albert Pujols himself. Being a Cardinal hater, I have to say that I was quite surprised by how nice these guys were and how they all had smiles about the fans heckling. All of them were quite the class act.

 

You can tell Schumaker was new to the majors cause he stuck around all smiles talkin to the fans much longer than the other players. At first we had no idea who he was so we asked "Are you new??" and he was like "Yea! My name is Skip Schumaker!" He was all proud to tell us his name, it was hilarious. Larry Walker soon came over and we were like "What are you doin here? We thought you retired!" His response was classic, "Hey, someone has to teach these f*ckers how to play!" Eckstein came over soon after and talked to the fans for a while. One fan was like "Hey Eckstein, you're 5'6'' right?" and he was like "Yea, I'm up to 170 now!" It was hilarious.

 

Pujols didn't come over at first but after a while made he his way over to us and talked with us for about five minutes. I told him that he needs to help the National League win the All Star game this year. He laughed and then got all serious and was like "You know, honestly, I'm not a big fan of how they made the All Star game determine who gets home field advantage in the World Series. They really need to change that." Of course he'd feel that way, it didn't seem to help them too much 2 years ago being swept and all ;) I don't remember much else of what we all talked about but I figured I'd go out on a limb and ask for a baseball. He was like "You want a ball? Hold on, one second" and then threw me the ball he was playing catch with Encarnacian. I couldn't believe it. A few moments later I asked if he wouldn't mind signing it for me and he was like "Sure, I don't mind at all. Hold on though, I have to do some batting practice, but as soon as I get out, I'll sign it for you." About ten minutes pass and then he came back and sure enough signed my ball. Tony (UMFan83) threw down his flask of rum and Pujols caught it and was like "No man, I'm sorry, I can't sign this!" and threw it back up. Haha, oh well, it was worth the try! Not too many people can say that Albert Pujols held their flask! :lol:

 

He only got to signing two balls, and apologized and had to go. I thanked him and said he was a class act, then he ran off. Not bad going to the park empty handed and leaving with a Pujols signed baseball!

 

http://www.jpzarkamusic.com/pujols.jpg

 

Fantastic memories for my first Opening Day and also first time in the Cubs bleachers. Even though it was freezin cold out, the Cubs couldn't have played better, we got to meet some of our rival players, and it was a fun day overall. While I usually partake in my fair share of Cardinal heckling, I couldn't help but not boo Pujols today. It just didn't feel right ;)

 

On a complete side note, we randomly bumped into Chicago-native actress Bonnie Hunt (mother in the movie Cheaper By the Dozen) at Blue Bayou after the game. What an interestingly random day this has turned out to be.

 

Sigh...how is it that hecklers from our arch rival are able to have real conversations with our players while the rest of us are left drooling with envy.

 

Such is life...although thanks for sharing.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Great story. This is why the Cards/Cubs rivalry is one of the best rivalries in sports. Sounds like you guys had a blast. Congrats on the autograph.

 

I could never hate Pujols. It's impossible for me to hate a guy with that much class on and off the FIELD. FIELD STEVE, FIELD.

Edited April 8, 2006 by Butterscup

[polosprt009]

Great story. This is why the Cards/Cubs rivalry is one of the best rivalries in sports. Sounds like you guys had a blast. Congrats on the autograph.

 

I could never hate Pujols. It's impossible for me to hate a guy with that much class on and off the court.

 

I completely agree. You might be thinking of baseketball though. Last time I checked, no court was involved in baseball ;)

[texascub]

Great story. This is why the Cards/Cubs rivalry is one of the best rivalries in sports. Sounds like you guys had a blast. Congrats on the autograph.

 

I could never hate Pujols. It's impossible for me to hate a guy with that much class on and off the court.

 

I completely agree. You might be thinking of baseketball though. Last time I checked, no court was involved in baseball ;)

 

Well it could be argued that the umpire is the judge and that the crowd acts as the jury, though I don't think that's the kind of court you were talking about.

[snoodmonger]

Great story. This is why the Cards/Cubs rivalry is one of the best rivalries in sports. Sounds like you guys had a blast. Congrats on the autograph.

 

I could never hate Pujols. It's impossible for me to hate a guy with that much class on and off the court.

 

I completely agree. You might be thinking of baseketball though. Last time I checked, no court was involved in baseball ;)

 

unless you're dwight gooden

[indifferent]

BTW, Larry Walker didn't really say that, did he?

[minnesotacubsfan]

Great story. This is why the Cards/Cubs rivalry is one of the best rivalries in sports. Sounds like you guys had a blast. Congrats on the autograph.

 

I could never hate Pujols. It's impossible for me to hate a guy with that much class on and off the court.

 

I completely agree. You might be thinking of baseketball though. Last time I checked, no court was involved in baseball ;)

 

unless you're dwight gooden

 

bwahahahahahahahhahaha!!!!!!

 

 

thats funny

[Chris]

Great story!

[polosprt009]

BTW, Larry Walker didn't really say that, did he?

 

yes, no joke

[indifferent]

BTW, Larry Walker didn't really say that, did he?

 

yes, no joke

 

That's pretty cool. What a great opening day!

[A New Era]

That's cool. I noticed Pojouls pat like every Cubs batter who made it to first on their hiney. Even when they were loosing. So that makes me like him a bit better.

 

But not ALL cardinals players are classy. See: Edmonds. .

[Andy]

24 Cardinals are classy. The rest are named Jim Edmonds.

[Wheelimus]

With Albert, Larry, etc., it's just business baby. No hard feelings.

 

With Edmonds...that's personal :lol:

[soccer10k]

Pujols doesn't seem like the type of person that would act like a jerk to people. He just doesn't have that type of demeaner. I'm not surprised one bit he acted like this.

 

As for Eckstein, he probably was just thinking, "wow, these guys are actually talking to me, and they aren't being mean. this is super."