The Naughty National League Central

Milwaukee's Ryan Braun recently tested positive for
performance-enhancing drugs. Braun can expect a lump of
coal in his stocking this year from Brewers fans.

The holiday season is nearly upon us, but not everybody has been nice — especially in the National League Central.

While Cardinals fans were mourning the loss of Albert the Great to the Los Angeles Angels, National League MVP and Milwaukee Brewer Ryan Braun tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. It's safe to say that both Pujols and Braun can expect lumps of coal in their stockings from their fan bases.

Braun's positive test was devastating to Brewers fans and the rest of baseball. He was supposed to be the new wave of players — clean-cut and pure — after one of baseball's darkest ages. Braun still hasn't been convicted of actually using steroids yet, but if he is, it's just another black eye for a sport that has already been through more than a decade of embarrassment.

Perhaps the most criminal aspect of Braun's positive test was he was instrumental in the success Milwaukee had this season. Teams like Atlanta and Arizona can't help but to feel cheated if it turns out that Braun was using performance-enhancing drugs during the season.

Braun's actions may have been hurtful, but equally as hurtful were the actions of Albert Pujols. Sure, the Angels got an early Christmas present when Pujols signed a 10-year, $254 million contract. But it came at a cost.

Pujols always seemed different than most athletes. While teams in the National League Central loved to hate El Hombre, there was hardly any doubt that he would eventually retire as a Cardinal. In an earlier blog post (found here), I said I thought Pujols should have been paid what he was worth. Now he is — in Los Angeles.

Obviously St. Louis fans are upset about the move — or lack of moves made by their owners. Pujols tried to soften the blow by taking out a full-page ad in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch thanking the fans for all that they have done for him. With that kind of money, maybe he could have also thrown in a nice dinner at Mike Shannon's steakhouse for everyone in St. Louis.

The loss of Pujols came as a blow to Cardinals fans, but in four or five years those same fans will be praising management's decision to let Pujols walk — freeing up some money for up-and-coming players like David Freese.

Every kid had a difficult time waiting for Christmas when they were younger. Much like when we were kids, now we have to wait and see if what think is naughty right now will actually turn into something nice when it's all said and done.