ST. LOUIS — From a St. Louis Cardinals icon to the center of a shocking scandal, Albert Pujols is in the middle of an unimaginable public storm. When news broke that Pujols was allegedly involved in “unhealthy” behavior in the locker room of a rival, Busch Stadium and its once-loyal fan base remained silent, stunned.
According to a new analysis published on VIVA EL BIRDOS, Pujols — a Cardinals icon with more than 700 home runs and multiple honors — is now being considered “maybe not completely clean” in a major baseball case.
The controversy began with the case of Tyler Skaggs, a Los Angeles Angels pitcher who died in 2019.
As the trial of Skaggs’ fentanyl supplier unfolded, testimony from a former Angels employee revealed that Pujols had paid the man, Eric Kay, to perform “dangerous challenges,” such as being hit with a 90 mph fastball and buying drugs for Kay.
There is no evidence that Pujols was directly involved in Skaggs’s death. But the fact that he allegedly “encouraged” behavior that was not only unprofessional but also dangerous is taking a toll on his public image. “He has video,” a source said. “He was really involved.”
For the Cardinals, Pujols was more than just a player—he was a symbol. Over a decade in the red-birds, he made his mark with historic moments: a home run into the rail in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, or a record 700 HR.
Now, the foundational image of a hero on the field, often involved in charity activities and loved by the entire city, is being questioned. Longtime fans are wondering: can one of baseball’s biggest “role models” really lead by example anymore?
One author of the original article wrote: “I grew up with Pujols. But when I heard this news, I felt betrayed.”
What’s worth noting: the testimony involved was not just a past misdeed – it came amid a rigorous legal process and a tragic death in baseball. The combination of “famous + doubt + death of someone else” created a double-edged sword for Pujols’s reputation.
For a team in transition and trying to regain its competitive edge, the scandal is a blow. The Cardinals could face questions about whether to keep or retire the legend if the investigation turns out to be serious.
Additionally, if Pujols is pursuing a coaching, consulting, or other role within the baseball organization (such as management or consulting), being placed in question could delay that.
No formal charges have been filed against Pujols. But being “named” in the testimony alone is enough to raise a wave of suspicion and frustration.
“If what is being said is true, it is unbecoming of someone that Cardinals have looked up to for generations,” one fan shared.
While waiting for further investigation steps and announcements from relevant parties, the baseball community has maintained a tense silence on Albert Pujols. When a symbol is questioned, it’s not just the title that’s affected – it’s the beliefs, memories, and emotions of the entire city of St. Louis.
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