Jerry Seinfeld once theorized that we no longer cheer for the athlete, but the name on the jersey. I don't like Seinfeld much, but has there ever been a more truthier (thanks, Colbert!) statement? Of course Seinfeld said this before it became hip to boo players mercilessly. Here are some examples of guys that really make Seinfeld's words shine.

Terrell Owens

Yeah, this was an easy pick.

There has never been a more revered, despised and eventually villanized athlete than Terrell Owens. He is arrogant, self-serving and worst of all, talented. Owens makes you want to slug him in the face for being such a showboat. He was adored by fans in San Francisco before and after he underwent a transformation from a quiet, game-changing receiver to a loud-mouth, scream-in-your-face, game-changing receiver. Then he wanted out of San Francisco and once he find out he was dealt to Baltimore, he threw a temper tantrum that only a two-year-old could match. He was moved to Philly, was injured in a late-season game against Dallas, rendering him out for the season, made a promise to show up in the Super Bowl, and in a game that should have solidified his status as a legend forever, Owens was a factor in the Eagles 24-21 loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX. About eight months later, Owens began the season-long journey that would get him kicked out of Philly. He badmouthed Donovan McNabb in what could only be described as the worst backstabbing since Hulk Hogan 10 years ago. Owens is now in Dallas where he once made an unkind reference to Michael Irvin on the star. He was cheered in San Francisco and Philly. They ate his act up and put away their moral objectivity because he was doing it for their team. If Owens successfully wrecks Dallas (he's already started), they'll soon regret ever cheering for him.

Barry Bonds

Oh yes, another easy pick. Take everything about Owens and multiply it by five, then you have Bonds. He is liked by no one--except Giants fans, who find him to be the greatest thing since two pieces of sliced bread. Everyone else hates him, and he hates everyone else. It is a mutual feeling, and perhaps one of the most interesting relationships to ever exist between a star athlete and a player. Bonds wants you to hate him. He derives inspiration in the whole world (except for San Francisco) being against him. But what if Bonds moved to the American League as a designated hitter? Would Giant fans still stand in awe of his home runs? We can't answer that, because it's never happened, but it's my best guess that they would feel slighted and betrayed. One thing is for sure, he would become an icon in whatever city he lands up in.

Mark McGwire

Fans swear that if McGwire came into their home, he would be booed with the same verocity that Barry Bonds receives. They are probably right. But in St. Louis, McGwire is still king. Despite a horribly embarrassing showing at Capitol Hill on Mar. 17, 2005, McGwire was still loudly cheered when he showed up at one of the final Busch Stadium II games last season to continue the countdown. It was quite the sight to see. Bulbs were flashing just like that night Mac tarnished the record books. Cardinal fans didn't seem to mind much about his appearance. McGwire played for their team, and by gawd he was still a hero.

Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield

Two of the BALCO Boys wound up playing for the New York Yankees. What was the reaction after Giambi sort-of admitted to using steroids? A standing ovation of course. As long as Giambi could still club 35 home runs, his involvement with BALCO meant squat to Yankee fans, just like it meant squat to Giant fans. Sheffield wasn't under the giant microscope that Giambi was, because Sheff still produced. Giambi stopped producing to the point that he was nearly demoted to Triple A. Fans began to get frustrated with Giambi. They stood by his side and rooted him on after he came out about using 'roids, so where was the production? It eventually came, and Giambi fell back into the good graces of Yankee fans.

The Smaller Scale

These are instances that I have witnessed on a smaller scale. Take June 2005 for example. Edgar Renteria, now the Boston shortstop was visiting the Cardinals for a three-game series at Busch. Many people think the reaction was split, but it was heavily in favor of the jeers. Renteria was cast as a turncoat that abandoned St. Louis for a paltry million, and after he took Ray King deep in the eighth inning of the third game, Renteria received his loudest boos. Of course Renteria wound up being his own undoing after an awful season, but for three nights the Cardinal fans got their revenge.

Also in 2005, Derrek Lee and Albert Pujols put on an outstanding display of class and sportsmanship between two first baseman playing for rival clubs. Lee is one of the finest fielding first baseman in baseball, and he became the top hitter last season. Pujols is one of the top hitters in baseball, and the admiration each player had for the other was great to see.

Fans didn't see it that way though. When Lee stepped into Busch, was booed. When Pujols stepped into Wrigley, he was booed. I had a Cub fan tell me after a Cardinals-Cubs game in St. Louis that Cardinal fans were "classless" for booing Lee. Of course he had nothing to say about Cub fans booing Pujols. It all goes back to the theory of the jersey.

My dad once told me that the only time he bought a hat that wasn't a Cardinals hat, was in 1983 when the Cards shipped Keith Hernandez to New York. Ask yourself this, if you are a Giants fan, will you be buying the hat of the next team he plays for? How many Red Sox fans bought a Johnny Damon Yankees jersey? I'm going to venture not many.

Take a bow, Mr. Seinfeld. You are wise beyond your years.

Feel free to add any additions to the list. MVPujols appreciates you reading his blog.