December 8: Hometown Discounts Are Dead

The MLB Hot-stove is boiling over and so is the Buzz-saw. The Pujols sweepstakes comes to a surprising and abrupt end, as Phat Albert signs a lucrative 10 year contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He leaves St. Louis, his baseball home for 11 years, giving the Cardinal faithful 3 NL MVP's, 3 NL Pennants, 2 World Series titles, several records, and an unlimited supply of memories. After arguably the most consistent and productive start to a career in sports history, is it even possible Albert can live up to his billing with the Angels? How should Cardinal fans feel about his departure and treat Mr. Pujols in terms of his historical significance with the franchise? What other notable legendary athletes leaving their bride for another team does this compare to? What does Albert's decision teach us about the landscape of baseball and sports today? Those are just some of the many questions "The Machine's" decision (no Lebron pun intended) will undoubtedly elicit. Don't think Pujols is the only big name moving area codes. Lebron may have made the phrase, "taking my talents to South Beach" cool but the new look Miami Marlins are making it a full on trend. Will all the uncharacteristic spending change the entire culture for Ozzie Guillen's bunch? How good can this team actually be? Mike and George will start the broadcast with one wheel house and then move to another. The NHL has announced their plans for re-alignment. Does this new format make sense? How will it impact the league? NHL re-alignment talk always gets ugly on the HBS. In the back half, expect a college football BCS bowl-season discussion with the usual did the system get it right debate, some more asinine NBA trade rumors, and the continuation of the NFL picks. The Howitzer is quickly learning it is never wise to count out a Buzz-saw. The HBS. Conquering sports radio, one day, at a time....