Fans Boo Albert Pujols in Angels Loss to Blue Jays, 4-0

Like everybody else, I was getting caught up in the pre-season hype. But the Angels are stuck in a downward spiral and their new star slugger is batting .194 with no home runs in 27 games.

Bummer.

See the Los Angeles Times, "It's Albert Boo-jols in Angels' loss to Blue Jays":

The boos in Angel Stadium could be heard clearly after his sixth-inning strikeout Friday night, and they grew even louder and longer after he grounded out to third base in the bottom of the ninth.

The Angels were shut out for the second consecutive game and sixth time this season in a 4-0 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, and the man who was supposed to prevent these kinds of droughts bore the wrath of the hometown fans.

Albert Pujols was hitless in four at-bats, his average falling to .194, and he has now gone 108 at-bats in 27 games this season without a home run, the longest power outage of his career.

Pujols has a clause in his 10-year, $240-million contract that pays him $7 million if he breaks Barry Bonds' all-time record of 762 homers. At this rate, Angels owner Arte Moreno might fork over an extra $1 million if Pujols would just hit one.

Pujols has sunk to such depths that Manager Mike Scioscia will probably give him a game off Saturday night to clear his head. "We've talked about it," Scioscia said. The patience of Angels fans has clearly waned, as their booing of Pujols showed.

"It's part of the big league package, I understand that and accept it," Pujols said. "I'd boo myself, too. But by the end of 10 years, trust me, there will be more cheers than boos."

Scioscia claimed he "didn't hear" the boos but doubts they'll rattle Pujols.

"Albert understands what this is about, he understands the expectations," Scioscia said. "I don't think he's going to be derailed by the situation."

Didn't hear 'em? He heard 'em.

Pujols is under pressure. The Angels have been waiting 10 years for another World Series championship and folks thought Pujols was the ticket.

Man, what a brutal crash and burn. Here's hoping the team can turn things around and soon. Time's a wastin'.

See also: "Angels, and Albert Pujols, aren't getting bang for the bucks."