Insider: Pujols struggles to adjust during 'really tough year'

Short Hops | Love Letters

This time last year, he was A-Rod.

Albert Pujols swung and baseballs disappeared over the fence.

Albert Pujols won't admit to struggling, but he must be a bit frustrated. (US Presswire)

He reached for his bat and three more RBI leapt out of the rack and into his outstretched hands.

He blinked, and games were won.

"I wish I started like last year," the down-and-out slugger was saying the other day during a wide-ranging conversation in an issues-laden St. Louis clubhouse. "I don't know if it's the cold weather or what.

"There's no excuses. I don't know what it is.

"Only God knows."

This time last year, people were projecting that he might challenge Barry Bonds' single-season record 73 homers. Pujols slammed 14 in April (same as A-Rod this year) and scooped up 32 RBI while batting .346 for the month. The rampage continued in May, when he bashed 11 more homers and collected 33 more RBI.

So far this season?

"I wouldn't say I'm struggling," says Pujols, who has been about as quiet as Pujols ever will be in batting a mere .245 with six homers and 21 RBI. "I've been hitting the ball hard.

"It's just a different season from last year."

Yes, last year every day was cake and balloons.

This year, both for Pujols and the Cardinals, it's been banana peels and dirges.