Why Albert Pujols Passed LeBron James as Sport's Biggest Money Hungry Villain

If you thought LeBron James was getting a lot hate in Miami, get ready for Albert Pujols to pass him as the most hated villain in sports.

When LeBron took his talents to South Beach and signed a six-year, $100 million contract, he went from one of the nation's most beloved superstars to someone who was despised by a large portion of the country.

And we won't even go in to how the people of Ohio feel about James.

Now, obviously, a lot of the hate directed towards James doesn't necessarily stem from him being "money-hungry." 

James was mostly criticized for the way he made his "decision" and for how cocky he looked off the court. 

"Not four, or five, or six..." Well, you get the idea. People didn't like that. 

Still though, for as big as James' contract was, it could have been a lot bigger. He took quite a hit (Chis Bosh of all people got the same amount of money) because he wanted to go to a team with who he could win a championship.

James could have just as easily went to New York for a lot more money. 

Everyone continues to hate him for it, but when it comes down to it, James had more of a reason than simply "money" to go to South Beach.

Now, Albert Pujols has signed an amazing 10-year deal reportedly worth at least $250 million. 

For all you non-math majors out there (I have to use a calculator for numbers this big), that's more than double LeBron's contract. 

Sure, Pujols didn't go on ESPN to announce his decision. Sure, he probably won't predict a bunch of World Series titles for the Angels. And sure, he doesn't have home-town ties to St. Louis.

I'm sure Cardinals fans were much more prepared for this than Cavalier fans were a year ago. 

On first sight, Pujols has handled this whole situation like all free agents should.

Still though, $250 million? And you left the team that just won the World Series?

That same team, the Cardinals, reportedly offered Pujols $220 million. Really, Pujols? Did you really need the extra $3 million per year?

The whole "leaving to go to a contender" excuse doesn't exactly work when you leave the defending champions. "The Machine" was clearly already part of a contender. 

How can this possibly be looked at as a move made for anything besides money? If Pujols wasn't money hungry, he would have settled for the $220 million and stayed with his first team that has gotten him two titles. 

But no, he will now make $68,493 per day. The average six-person household in California makes $63,125 a year, according to Darren Rovell.

Are you kidding me?

Pujols may be a love-able guy. He may not have the traits that has forced a country to turn their backs on LeBron James, but that stat alone might just make Pujols public enemy No. 1 for a whole lot of people. 

Personally, I can't really question Pujols. I like money, too. But leaving your faithful club that has won two world series titles in the last six years just for a tiny salary bump means one thing.

Pujols is money hungry. James—although he did it in all the wrong ways—at least left with hopes for a title.

Pujols certainly did everything he can to prove that he deserves this kind of a deal, but the public isn't going to feel the same way.

Move over, LeBron.