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COLUMBIA, MO. -- Missouri Governor Jay Nixon said Cardinal Nation will hate to see Albert Pujols go.

Nixon said he is confident with the Cardinals’ strong farm system and their world championship team that they will have other players to fill the void.

Nixon said World Series Most Valuable Player David Freese is just one of many young players to help the Cardinals continue their winning tradition.

Nixon said, “We would want a player of Albert’s stature to do his entire career as a Cardinal like Stan Musial did.  Certainly, I’m disappointed when an icon decides to take the dollars and head to California.  The Cardinals have a tradition much bigger than any one individual.  With Wainwright back next year, hopefully Freese will be healthy the whole year and additional dollars will be available to be in the market to augment that line up.  Matt Holliday’s hand should be fixed by next year.  I’m very optimistic about where the Cardinals are going to be come February.”

Nixon said the Cardinals will remain competitive in Major League Baseball for many generations.