JUPITER, Fla. (AP) – Albert Pujols’ departure from the St. Louis Cardinals after 11 seasons drove home the point to his closest friend on the team. At the end of the day, it’s a hard, cold business. Four-time Gold Glove catcher Yadier Molina enters spring training this year a lifetime Cardinal seeking a long-term extension, just like Pujols a year ago. Molina is heading into the final year of his contract and he would like to stay in St. Louis. But he emphasizes it’s a two-way street.  
Molina said he thinks of Pujols as a big brother and said Pujols’ exit definitely hurt. But he also said he’s happy in St. Louis and downplayed absences at the team’s White House photo op and Winter Warmup, He said he simply had other commitments.