Losing a star player can instantly drain the energy from a fanbase. But losing a generational talent in their prime? That’s a heartbreak that lingers for decades.
As Dallas Mavericks fans struggle to process the stunning decision by their front office to trade Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night, I couldn’t help but be reminded of when the St. Louis Cardinals lost their franchise icon, Albert Pujols.
I’ll never forget December 8, 2011. I was just 13 years old (apologies to those rolling their eyes at my youth), and I was in complete disbelief. Pujols had just secured his second World Series title with the Cardinals and was on track to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Yet, the young John Mozeliak and the DeWitt ownership group let him walk away?
Of course, the circumstances weren’t identical. Pujols was a free agent, and while many of us refused to believe he would actually leave, serious threats emerged from teams like the Marlins, Reds, Cubs, and ultimately, the Angels.
Still, much like Mavericks fans today, Cardinals fans had to come to terms with their homegrown superstar heading to California, leaving behind a city that adored him for a market filled with stars.
The parallels don’t stop there. The Cardinals were fresh off a World Series championship when Pujols left. The Mavericks had just reached the NBA Finals last season, and despite underwhelming performances this year, Dončić had already proven he could defy expectations in the playoffs. Both Dallas and St. Louis have a history of missing out on elite talent in free agency, making the loss of a homegrown superstar even more painful.
Yet, both franchises made the decision to part ways with an all-time great. Mavericks GM Nico Harrison cited concerns over Dončić’s conditioning and hesitated to offer him a max extension, while Mozeliak and the Cardinals front office balked at the idea of committing over $200 million to a 31-year-old first baseman.
To this day, Cardinals fans debate whether letting Pujols go was the right move. His tenure with the Angels was underwhelming, but would things have been different had he stayed in St. Louis? We’ll never know.
The Cardinals continued to compete after Pujols’ departure, making three straight NLCS appearances and reaching the World Series in 2013. But they haven’t won another championship since he left. His emotional return in 2022 was special, but it’s impossible to say what could have been had he remained in St. Louis.
Mavericks fans are feeling that same sting today. Cardinals fans, check in on them—they need it. While Dončić hasn’t reached Pujols’ level of accolades, this trade is as gut-wrenching as it gets for a fanbase.
But if there’s one group that understands that pain, it’s Cardinals Nation. You’ve already lived it.