Infographic: Face of the Franchise
The infographic shows the players who had played exclusively for their team the longest (as of the end of the 2011 season). Other notable veterans are included too. Remember when Paul Konerko played for the Reds and Dodgers? Yeah, neither do I. Click to enlarge.
It's not necessarily about money, incentives, loyalty, or even winning.
The St. Louis Cardinals' front office could offer Albert Pujols money and job security. What Cardinals' fans could offer was something much less tangible. They offered Pujols the chance to be forever in their hearts the same way Stan Musial and Bob Gibson will always be held. Albert could be a lifelong Cardinal whose career could have been every bit as distinguished as The Man or Gibby. He just had to stay. He didn't.
It doesn't matter why Albert Pujols made his choice. What remains is a city that must replace the face of their franchise. And for a city that makes a big deal about loyalty, one would assume that you must anoint another lifer (sorry, Chris Carpenter). Therefore, all hail Yadier Molina, a great catcher who deserves all the accolades he receives. But, he's no Stan Musial. Not even close.
This off-season, the misery in St. Louis has company. It's also a Chicago problem and a New York problem. Goodbye, Jose Reyes. Hello, David Wright! That seems like a push. So long, Mark Buehrle. Welcome, John Danks!. Yeesh. Did anyone outside of Anaheim even know that the Angels traded away their longest tenured player (Jeff Mathis, not Ervin Santana)? Lifelong loyalty is becoming increasingly uncommon, and players waiting for their turn at the top of the seniority scale all have a long way to go.
Top 20 Longest Tenured, Single Team Players
- Chipper Jones (18)
- Mariano Rivera (17)
- Jorge Posada (17)
- Derek Jeter (17)
- Jason Varitek (15)
- Todd Helton (15)
- Mark Buehrle (12)
- Jimmy Rollins (12)
- Michael Young (12)
- Brian Roberts (11)
- Carlos Zambrano (11)
- Brandon Inge (11)
- Michael Cuddyer (11)
- Ichiro Suzuki (11)
- Albert Pujols (11)
- Aaron Cook (10)
- Justin Morneau (9)
- Jose Reyes (9)
- Chase Utley (9)
- Ryan Madson (9)
Well, that was longest tenured up until the World Series ended, and there are likely more shake-ups to come. Some heir apparents have jumped ship too. Prince Fielder and C.J. Wilson never reached a team crown, and now never will. Those rewards, presumably, will go to Chipper, Derek and Mariano, and that's not all that bad.