Albert Pujols, instant replay, Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols

Well, I'd say that Albert Pujols is living up to the pressure of being appointed Newsday's most intriguing person of this World Series, wouldn't you?

Good Lord.

Pujols produced a historic night, and now the Cardinals hold a 2-1 advantage. Don't make Albert angry, I wrote, facetiously. 

Only Pujols knows whether his "Didn't talk to the media after Game 2" blow-up served as motivation for what transpired in Game 3. What we know for sure is, the sequence of events made for one hell of an entertaining story.

--Yet another night in which the need for expanded instant replay seemed rather obvious. Matt Holliday was clearly out on Mike Napoli's tag, in what would have been a fourth-inning double play, and the inning exploded on Texas, with St. Louis putting up four runs.

First-base umpire Ron Kulpa took the blame afterwards, admitting he messed up. Too bad his error had unnecessary consequences.

--Prior to the game, I wrote my Sunday Insider on Pujols and Prince Fielder, noting the question that people throughout the industry are wondering: Who will sign first this winter? The impending free agents' representatives, Dan Lozano and Scott Boras, have a growing rivalry that is far more intense and contentious than any ill will between Pujols and Fielder themselves.

--Have a great day.