Jose Sanchez/AP
Albert Pujols, who signed a 240-million deal in the offseason, is hitting .217 with no home runs and two RBI through six games.
Here in the big city we tend to think there is no pressure like playing in New York, especially for a newcomer with a huge contract. But in the case of Albert Pujols, you have to believe he doesn’t need back-page feedback to feel the weight of his $240 million move to the West Coast.
After all, he’s not only the consensus best hitter in baseball, but ex-teammate Lance Berkman made the argument last October that Pujols is the best in the history of the sport, better than Babe Ruth.
YANKEE STADIUM CAN'T GET TO PUJOLS
As such he is expected to take the Angels straight to the World Series, no questions asked. Sports Illustrated, among other publications, is picking the Halos to win it all.
It remains to be seen if the Angels can reach such heights this season, but at the very least, Pujols’ signing, along with that of pitcher C.J. Wilson, adds a genuine contender to the American League, and perhaps makes it tougher for the Yankees to navigate their way through the postseason â€" if they get there.
For the moment, both Pujols and the Angels, who are in town for the Yankee home opener Friday, are off to a sluggish start, including a wild 10-9 loss to the Twins in Minneapolis on Thursday that leaves them at 2-4.
In truth, if the Angels are going to make any real noise this season, chances are their pitching will be the source of it. With Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, Wilson and Ervin Santana, their first four starters make for as strong a group as there is in the AL.
Still, they have bullpen questions, especially regarding closer Jordan Walden, and perhaps more significant, they need Pujols to be a difference-maker for a team that ranked 10th in runs scored a year ago.
So while Anaheim may not feature the day-to-day baseball intensity of a New York or Boston, there will be no escaping the lofty expectations for the former Cardinal.
A couple of years ago, Alex Rodriguez, who once famously made a similar, $252 million move to Texas, recalled that as much as he thought he was ready for such expectations, he found out otherwise.
“You kind of feel yourself thinking you’re supposed to get a hit in every big situation,’’ A-Rod said of his early days with the Rangers. “Even though it’s not realistic, I felt that way for a while because of the contract and everything that came with it. At first it was hard to be comfortable and just play baseball.’â€
Pujols just may be dealing with the same emotions right now. Through six games, he is hitting .217 with no home runs and two RBI.
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