Loyalty in Professional Sports: Myth or Reality?

In this era of mega stars and mega pay the one-town athlete is almost non-existent. And that is a terrible shame. The obvious first choice to talk about would be LeBron James. He was a hometown kid when he played for the Cavaliers. But leaving all the basketball talent aside for this discussion, it was always his dream to play for the Cavs. But when the "fit hit the shan" (think about that for a second), he took off for greener pastures. This isn't just being done by individual players, it is also being done by teams and organizations as well. For example, Albert Pujols, who is arguably one of the best baseball players today and possibly one of the best when his career is over, has reportedly asked for a 10 year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals (he is only 31 years old). Pujols has spent his entire career in St. Louis and has brought them great amounts of success. If I am the management team in St. Louis I give him whatever he asks for because he wants to remain loyal. Shouldn't loyalty be rewarded?