[uvaspina]

I could be totally wrong here, but Albert Pukols never really struck me as the kind of guy who cared about being the "face of the franchise." To me, he seemed like a great player who worked hard and didn't really care as much about the glory as a lot of other guys. I'm sure he appreciates recognition as much as any of us would, and he'd be crazy to turn down the money he was offered, but I just never saw him as caring about being the face of a franchise, even though he seemed to handle that role pretty well in St. Louis. Maybe I'm wrong, I don't know. Just an opinion.

I'm not sure that he sought to become the face of the franchise, but I think it's something he embraced. He always expressed a deep respect for those who played the game before him (especially STL legends) and seemed to have a grasp on where he stood in that lineage. He eschewed the nickname "El Hombre" out of respect to Stan "the Man" Musial.

Even if being the "face of the franchise" isn't important to him, I don't see what he possibly could've gained, personally or professionally, from moving to California. It's hard to believe a few million bucks would make any difference to him. (And sports economists could probably make a pretty strong case that Pujols stood to make more money in the long run, aside from salary, by remaining a Cardinal for life). The Cardinals could've even added in a 20 year "personal services" contract to commence after his playing career ends for $2m per.

Sure, the AL has the DH, which ultimately could help extend his productivity, but I don't see AP volunteering to be DH anytime soon. It's not like he left a sinking franchise to go to a WS contender either.