The Los Angeles Angels are in hot water with recently acquired slugger Albert Pujols after the club placed 20 billboards all around Southern California. The billboards feature a picture of Pujols swinging a bat along with the words “El Hombre.”
Pujols has asked not to be called El Hombre because that name is used to describe St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer Stan “The Man” Musial.
On Wednesday Pujols said of the billboard:
“Like I say, I haven’t talked to them, but I prefer not to use (El Hombre).”
During his 11 seasons in St. Louis Albert Pujols became friends with the 90-year-old Musial and in 2010 he publicly asked his fans not to refer to him as “El Hombre.”
Not only was Musial an outstanding 22-year veteran of Major League Baseball (MLB), he was also a distinguished serviceman who fought in the Navy during World War II and then spent years working with the United Service Organizations. In 2011 Musial received the Medal of Freedom, the highest honor awarded to civilians in the United States.
Angels vice president for communications Tim Mead told CNN of Pujols’ feelings:
“We’re more aware of his feelings about that now, but I don’t think his feelings are directed at our marketing campaign,” and “He hasn’t approached us with anything and it’s been explained to him (that) it’s one prong of our campaign, not its full-fledged focus.”
The Los Angeles Angels signed Pujols to a 10-year, $250 million contract in December.
Do you think Albert Pujols is over-reacting or was his request warranted?