May 11, 2011 Tribune Pujols Takes Center Stage In
May 11, 2011 Tribune Pujols takes center stage in Cardinals' 6-4 victory Speculation abounds about future home as slugger goes 4-for-5 against Cubs By: Paul Sullivan On the first pleasant night for baseball at Wrigley Field, everyone was feeling a little giddy. The locals booed one former Cub lustily, while one current Cub was greeted with mock cheers when he managed to catch a routine fly. But the biggest feel-good moment of the night occurred behind the batting cage before before the Cardinals' 6-4 victory when slugger Albert Pujols wrapped his big arms around Cubs general manager Jim Hendry in a photogenic bear hug. Was Pujols, who went 4-for-5 on the night, starting the negotiating process, or just saying hello to an old friend? Six months remain before Pujols can become a free-agent, but "the hug" was interpreted by some as a sign the Cubs will be courting the star in November. Hendry took pains to point out he and Pujols were just exchanging pleasantries, not dollar figures. Tampering rules prohibit the Cubs from talking about players on other teams. But hugging the opposition? "Well, he hugged me first," Hendry said with a laugh. "He's a lot bigger and stronger than me." Peppered with questions about "the hug," Hendry pointed out he hugged former Cub Ryan Theriot — the object of fans' derision — twice before the game. "I can't win," Hendry said. "I like Albert. We've always gotten along. He's a great, great player. I admire the heck out of him.
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