Does Albert Pujols know what he has done?

He has opened his mouth and told all of those who rip Barry Bonds up one side and down the other to step back and relax. He has openly taken it upon himself to tell people to lighten up. The following comments come from Pujols in an article from the FoxSports MLB home page.

Last year's NL MVP said people have been "too hard" on Bonds. He and the Cardinals play the Giants for the first time next week in San Francisco.  "I know he's probably made some mistakes in the past, but come on, give the guy a break," Pujols said. "Respect the numbers in the career he has put up."

Pujols said in the current climate, players seem to be guilty until proven innocent.

"People talk. That's their job, to write something stupid without finding out," he said. "Like Barry, people are talking about him and they haven't found anything out about the guy. They're talking about making the guy a bad guy. Prove the point first and then you can write anything about it. But before, leave the guy alone."

Where have we heard this stuff before? Players seem to be guilty until proven innocent. Yea, Albert. Tell it like it is. Every word of the statement here is what people should be doing. But, as we all know, it is not what they are doing. And now Albert Pujols is getting into the fray.

Albert Pujols has intangled himself now into the biggest scandal going. In the same article that these quotes come from he questions people who claim that he uses things and that he has lied about his age. For crying out loud, lied about his age! He says he is 26. So who the hell cares if he isn't? What a liar and a cheater.

Albert, how could you? Knowing what you are up against now that you have spoken out in Bonds defense you should have known better than to lie about your age. People will be all over you now. What if he is really only 24? Two more years to assault all MLB records than if he were really 26. What if he is really 28 years old? Oh, my God! All those peple who are betting that Albert shatters every hitting record known to MLB will get screwed because his body will break down before he gets them all.

Albert, surely you know what is going to come next. I can hear it now or read it just as soon. "You know that Pujols had a great career going but then he defended that steroid using, media hating, lying and cheating Barry Bonds." "Yea, those steroid users all stick together." "Yea, bunch of freakin' cheaters." "Oh, yes. Like two peas in a pod." "You know I used to like that Pujols kid. Until he lied about his age and defended that hack, Barry Bonds." "That Bonds was a real scumbag but that Pujols takes the cake." You know it is coming. I have heard nothing but positive accolades for this young man (whatever his age is he is younger than me) and his career so far. But with all of the Barry Bonds bashing and hating going on here and there he may be opening himself up to a lot of abuse. It wouldn't surprise me a bit. But you know what?

I have a deep respect for anyone who speaks out against the popular opinion of the day. Especially if what they say makes sense. Albert Pujols is a great baseball player regardless of hs age. I think Albert Pujols is a stand up guy who has voiced his opinion on this subject. Like he said, until you have proof back off and give Bonds credit for the career numbers he has put up. If, and when, it is ever proven (aside from accusations by a disgruntled former major leaguer or a couple of guys with nothing better to do but write crap) then throw the book at him. And for proof please don't show me any more pictures of Bonds when he was 23 compared to Bonds when he was 40.

This from one of Barry Bonds peers. If it is good enough for him, why can't it be good enough for the masses?

Albert Pujols is the man!!!