He’s no Albert Pujols, but losing Luka Doncic like Dallas just did is about as close of a situation as what Cardinals fans experienced in 2011.
Losing a star player can drain the spirit of a fanbase in an instant. But losing a generational talent in their prime? That kind of heartbreak lingers with fans for decades.
As Dallas Mavericks supporters grapple with the shocking decision made by their front office to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night, I can’t help but think back to when the St. Louis Cardinals parted ways with their franchise legend, Albert Pujols.
I’ll always remember December 8, 2011. I was just 13 (sorry to those who may find my youth annoying), and I couldn’t believe what was happening. Pujols had just secured his second World Series title with the Cardinals and was on track to possibly become the greatest baseball player of all time. And yet, the young John Mozeliak and the DeWitt ownership group let him go?
Of course, there were differences in the situations. Pujols was a free agent, and while many of us hoped he wouldn’t leave, teams like the Marlins, Reds, Cubs, and the Angels posed real threats to the Cardinals keeping their generational talent.
Just like Mavericks fans today, Cardinals fans had to come to terms with their superstar heading to California, leaving behind their beloved homegrown hero for a city filled with stars.
There are more parallels to be drawn. The Cardinals were the reigning World Series champions, while the Mavericks had just lost in the NBA Finals last year. Though the team hasn’t been performing to expectations this season, Doncic has already shown his ability to rise to the occasion in the playoffs. Both Dallas and St. Louis have struggled to retain stars in free agency, making the loss of one of their own particularly hard to swallow.
Yet, both franchises allowed an all-time great to walk away. Nico Harrison traded Doncic to Los Angeles, expressing concerns about a max contract linked to his conditioning, while Mozeliak let Pujols slip into the American League over worries about a $ 200+ million long-term deal for a first baseman entering his age-31 season.
Cardinals fans often debate whether it was wise to let Pujols go. The future Hall of Famer had a lackluster run with the Angels, but would it have been that bleak for him in St. Louis? We may never know.
While the Cardinals continued to succeed without Pujols (making three straight NLCS appearances and returning to the World Series in 2013), they still haven’t captured another championship since he left. Sure, we had that wonderful reunion season in 2022, but who knows what kind of legacy we missed with Pujols in Anaheim?
Check in on the Mavericks fans you know today. Let them know you’re there for them, Cardinals fans. Few can truly understand the pain of losing such a talent. Sure, Luka has a long way to go before matching Pujols’ accolades, if he ever does, but any basketball expert would tell you—this trade is one of the most devastating moves for a fanbase imaginable.
Well, you don’t need to imagine, Cardinals Nation. You’ve already been through it.
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