OK, Newsday’s Ken Davidoff hasn’t used those exact words. But only because he’s far too nice a human being.

Tristar Productions, a leading memorabilia producer, attempted to market several items with a “team signing” – baseballs, pictures and what-have-you featuring autographs from all 25 players. It didn’t happen, a person familiar with the situation told Newsday, because the Cardinals’ stars – in particular, Albert Pujols (above) and Scott Rolen – couldn’t agree on an asking price.

The person said Pujols wanted to make more than Rolen and Rolen wanted to make the same as Pujols. Spend five minutes in the clubhouse and you’ll realize that Pujols and Rolen aren’t very close. A second person in the loop nonetheless insisted that Pujols’ demands had nothing to do with Rolen.

In any case, that meant young players such as Game 1 winner Anthony Reyes and closer Adam Wainwright couldn’t pick up an extra payday.

Sometimes it can work out better. As the Astros were playing the White Sox in the 2005 World Series, Houston’s three most famous players – Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio and Roger Clemens – agreed to charge a higher rate for autographs, but then pooled those payments and divided them equally among the 25 players.

“They were giving a larger share of their money to the guys that needed it more,” Tristar’s Bobby Mintz said. “That’s how Roger and ‘Beedge’ and Bags are. They wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Too bad the Cards’ stars couldn’t see things similarly.

The Devil Rays’ Scott Kazmir says his shoulder rehab is progressing nicely. I suppose Al Leiter ran out of pins.