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Thu, Sep 17th 2009, 10:03
Pujols a mentor to Marlins' Ramirez
When you see Albert Pujols on television, in the heat of a game, you won’t often see him smile. His effect at the plate and on the bases is often almost grim, a fierce competitiveness on his face.
Catch him during pregame warm-ups, though, and you’re likely to see something different. On Tuesday afternoon, prior to the Cardinals’ 2-1 loss to the Marlins, Pujols could be seen cutting up with the Marlins’ rising young star, Hanley Ramirez. The two are friendly, if not dear friends, and Pujols enjoys being able to lend a hand as Ramirez, 25, arrives among the game’s top players.
“Just like I do with everybody who’s young in this game,” Pujols said. “It can be from my team or the opposite side. I just want everybody to progress and have a great career. He’s one of the guys right now, he’s one of the best shortstops in the game. He has a lot of future if he can stay healthy.”
Ramirez is one of the challengers, if in fact there are any challengers, to Pujols, as the slugger closes in on what may well be his third National League Most Valuable Player Award. And the youngster certainly looks up to Pujols, who will turn 30 this winter.
“[Pujols] is No. 1 in the National League,” Ramirez said. “He’s a good player.”
He’s even given Ramirez some hitting pointers.
“He just told me something, and I did it,” Ramirez said. “It worked for me. I think it worked for him, too. I asked him, ‘What do you do with runners in scoring position?’ He told me. I try to do what he does.”
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