Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2009

Pujols: 'I enjoyed every minute of this All-Star Game'

He's also glad that Franklin and Molina got to experience it

ST. LOUIS -- It was a busy All-Star week for Albert Pujols, but the St. Louis Cardinals slugger wasn't doing any complaining.

Pujols was coming off a Sunday doubleheader in Chicago, then dealt with a series of media sessions and competed in the Home Run Derby on Monday.

He smiled and said yes to everything. It was almost preordained since he was the face of an All-Star Game being held in his home city of St. Louis.

Fast forward to Tuesday, where he did some more press conferences and then was the featured player to catch the ceremonial first pitch from President Obama.

Tiring? Stressful? No way.

"I wouldn't use that word stress," Pujols said. "I wish it could be like this for the rest of my career. I enjoy it, being around these great players. I enjoyed every minute of this All-Star Game."

The much anticipated All-Star appearance by Pujols was a mixed bag, although he did tie an All-Star game record with three assists at first base.

He also went 0-for-3 and made a first-inning error that led to two runs for the American League.

Pujols was one of a trio of Cardinals in the game, joining first-time all-stars Yadier Molina and Ryan Franklin.

"I was so happy for (Franklin) and Yadi (Molina) for their first All-Star Game and being on my team," Pujols said. "Knowing the kind of year they're having I was so excited for them."

Pujols delivered on his most pressure-packed play of the night, catching the first pitch from Obama. A soft-tossing left-hander wearing a Chicago White Sox jacket, Obama's toss was handled flawlessly by Pujols.

"It didn't hit the ground, it was in the air the whole way," Pujols insisted. "I scooted up a little bit ... it was a great pitch. I was more nervous not to drop the ball, believe me.

"I wasn't worried about him bouncing the ball."

Pujols said he probably started out too close to the line on a first-inning shot by Mark Teixeira that seemed to handcuff him between first and second.

The ball arrived about the time runner Joe Mauer was flashing past Pujols.

Pujols was hitless in three at-bats before leaving in the top of the seventh. He just missed a hit in the first when American League third baseman Michael Young got his glove on a hot smash that was headed to left. The shot nearly took off Young's glove, but he held on and made the play to first.

While he wasn't hitting, Pujols was on top of his glove game after the first. He had two diving plays that helped keep the National League from further trouble.

During a scoreless third inning by Cardinals reliever Ryan Franklin, Pujols snared a sinking line drive off the bat of Mauer.

Pujols also handled a tough grounder that inning for the third out, then flipped the ball to Franklin for a keepsake before heading to the dugout.

"I think that's the best thing I did this week," Pujols said of his All-Star night defense, perhaps lamenting the fact he didn't win the Home Run Derby and the National League lost 4-3 to stretch its winless streak to 13 games. "It was a makeup."

Molina, greeted warmly like Pujols and Franklin during pregame introductions, definitely left an impression.

The Cards catcher ignited a three-run National League rally in the second inning by driving an RBI single to center field against Toronto's Roy Halladay. Shane Victorino also scored on the play on a wild throw to third by center fielder Josh Hamilton.

Molina came around to score on when Milwaukee's Prince Fielder sliced a ground-rule double down the left-field line.

Even before his hitting exploits, Molina flashed his trademark defensive skills in the first inning.

With runners at first and second, he fielded a slow roller in front of the plate hit by Minnesota's Joe Mauer and quickly threw to David Wright at third for a force play.

Franklin, who has converted 21 of 22 save opportunities, pitched a 1-2-3 third inning for the National League.

"I was trying my best, man, to keep my emotions calm, trying to look calm," Franklin said. "It was a lot of fun. I knew the pitching wouldn't be any different, but just being out there with the caliber of players that were out there -- all-star guys -- was pretty special."

Franklin also cherished being a part of the pregame ceremony that honored Stan Musial and the other living Cardinal Hall of Famers.

"I've been pretty lucky to be on the same field whenever Stan comes out and gets honored," Franklin said. "It's an honor to me just to be around someone of his magnitude and someone who did what he did for the game of baseball -- and in the game of baseball."