The particulars of Albert Pujols’ and his choice of destinations in relation to where he’ll be playing baseball for the foreseeable future aren’t what’s important here. Instead, the reaction such a decision causes, especially throughout the world of social media, is the goal here, and as you well know, sports news can cause some of the most vocal reactions on the web, especially if you’re dealing with a passionate fanbase.
The deal itself is a hefty one, and it, too, is spurring some of the reaction, especially when you consider Pujols’ age (32), and the duration of the contract (10 years). And there’s the amount Pujols signed for, which is enough to make a grown man snatch his son out of whatever extracurricular activity they are in and force the sport of baseball upon them. The amount in question?
As you can see, Twitter has plenty of ammunition to respond with: St Louis Cardinals fans lamenting the loss of the best hitter in baseball, reaction to the obscene amount of money, and, as with all Twitter trends, a few reacting because they are simply following a trend. Or in this case, a few of them:
There have been over a thousand combined responses to these trends since I began monitoring them, meaning just about everyone on Twitter is talking about Pujols. Angels fans are ecstatic, while Cardinals fans are less so. In fact, you can almost use Twitter as a timeline for how things went down. First, there were the reports of Pujols’ signing:
@TBrownYahoo
Tim BrownSource: Pujols will sign with Angels for 10 years for between $250 and $260 million. Full no-trade. Pujols decided Thursday morning.
55 minutes ago via web · powered by @socialditto
@Buster_ESPN
Buster OlneyPujols to the angels, done, sources say 50 minutes ago via Mobile Web · powered by @socialditto
From there, Twitter exploded with a variety of responses:
@IanJoulain
Ian Joulain#Pujols to the #Angels may break Twitter. 4 minutes ago via Echofon · powered by @socialditto
It sure looks that way…
@jimrome
Jim RomePujols to the Angels? This morning’s previously scheduled meeting to talk about possibly upgrading our season tickets just got interesting. 46 minutes ago via web · powered by @socialditto
@Jason_Smith78
Jason SmithIn other news, Pujols to the Angels?? Seriously?? 4 minutes ago via TweetDeck · powered by @socialditto
@alexbegs
Alex BegnelGonna go die “@SportsCenter: What are your thoughts on #Pujols to the Angels? Best Tweets will air on @SportsCenter http://t.co/olQsKKET“ 5 minutes ago via Twitter for Android · powered by @socialditto
@SeanUnfiltered
Sean SalisburyI love and respect #Pujols and how good he’s been. But I assure you he doesn’t have 250 million of game left in that body or that bat #nuts 41 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone · powered by @socialditto
@newfiebangaa
ClintI thought #Pujols would be a player not to follow the big bucks…but I was wrong. Should have stayed in St. Louis, where he’s a hero. 2 minutes ago via web · powered by @socialditto
@JoshBeatty
Josh BeattyNow that #Pujols has signed, we can finally move on to real offseason moves. No athlete should ever make this much money. #disgraceful 43 minutes ago via web · powered by @socialditto
Not even if he generates at least that much income for the team?
@SYGUGROUP
Eddie Holman50 million more than your 3 next best offers? You’d be gone too. Don’t act like you wouldn’t. #Pujols #CardinalsNation 44 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone · powered by @socialditto
Exactly.
@tylerblucas
Tyler Lucaswow Pujols to the Angels! he had a good career but it just officially ended… #tragic 2 minutes ago via web · powered by @socialditto
Is that the sound of hating I hear? Thankfully, that wasn’t the only kind of reaction:
@AndyEdSKC
Andy EdwardsIt’s amazing how a 3.5 hour drive across Missouri can alter reactions to something so much. STL mortified, KC laughing at them. #Pujols 5 minutes ago via Echofon · powered by @socialditto
@AnnaPleus
Anna Pleus#Pujols to the Angels? I wonder if he’ll need a roommate… 4 minutes ago via Echofon · powered by @socialditto
@hartleyshuddle
Nick HartleyWoW! Albert Pujols to the #Angels at a cost of 10-years, $250 million. AL fans can now see the best player in baseball all year long 4 minutes ago via web · powered by @socialditto
@toppromoter
Sonny 1Rallymonkey this!RT@SportsCenter: What are your thoughts on #Pujols to the Angels? Best Tweets will air on@SportsCenter http://t.co/FJfZ146g 6 minutes ago via Echofon · powered by @socialditto
I think “Rallymonkey this” sums the Pujols signing up very well, although, I doubt you’ll get the St Louis Cardinals fans to agree. Maybe they can console themselves with their most recent World Series title.
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