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Albert Pujols

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Albert Pujols
St. Louis Cardinals – No. 5
First baseman
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
debut
April 2, 2001, for the St. Louis Cardinals
Career statistics
(through July 7, 2009)
Batting average.334   #1 active
Hits1,626
Doubles362
Home runs350
Runs batted in1,059
Slugging percentage.630   #1 active
On-Base plus Slugging1.058)
Teams
Career highlights and awards

José Alberto Pujols Alcántara (Spanish pronunciation: [puˈxols]) (born January 16, 1980, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic), better known as Albert Pujols, (nicknamed Prince Albert, Sir Albert, Phat Albert, El Hombre, and The Machine)[1] is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is widely regarded as the best player in the game today,[2][3] and was voted the Most Feared Hitter in Baseball in a poll of all 30 major league managers in 2008.[4]

As of the end of the 2008 season, he led active players in batting average (.334)[5] and slugging percentage (.624).[6] In only his ninth season, he ranks 78th on the Career home runs leaders list. On July 4, 2008, Pujols hit his 300th career home run, becoming the fifth-youngest player (28 yrs., 170 days) in MLB history to reach that milestone.[7] On July 3, 2009, Pujols hit his 350th career home run, becoming the third-youngest player in MLB history to reach that milestone.[8]

He is 6' 3" and weighs 230 pounds.[9]

Early life and career

Born on January 16, 1980, Pujols was raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic by his grandmother. Pujols and his family immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic in 1996, first to New York City. In the U.S., Pujols displayed his hitting skill by batting over .500 in his first season at Fort Osage High School in Independence, Missouri, twice earning all-state honors. Pujols graduated from high school in December 1998. He attended Maple Woods Community College in the Kansas City area in spring of 1999. In his only college season, Pujols hit a grand slam and turned an unassisted triple play in his first game.[10] He batted .461 for the year.

Minor leagues

Few major league teams were very interested in Pujols. A Colorado Rockies scout reported favorably about him. The Tampa Bay Rays arranged a tryout for Pujols, but it went poorly (after the team did not draft him, the scout who had found Pujols resigned).[11] He is a prime example of a late draft value pick.[12] The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Pujols in the 13th round of the 1999 draft with the 402nd overall pick.[13] However, Pujols initially turned down a USD $10,000 bonus and opted to play in the Jayhawk League in Kansas instead. The Cardinals increased their bonus offer to $700,000[citation needed], Pujols signed, and was assigned to the minor leagues.

In 2000, Pujols played for the Peoria Chiefs of the single-A Midwest League, where he was voted league MVP. Pujols quickly progressed through the ranks of the St. Louis farm clubs, first at the Potomac Cannons in the high-A Carolina League and then with the Memphis Redbirds in the Class AAA Pacific Coast League.

Major league

2001 season: Rookie of the Year

During the 2001 season, the team was preparing for Pujols to be sent to Memphis-AAA. However, Pujols' outstanding play, combined with a hamstring injury to Bobby Bonilla (at the time the starting third baseman for the Cardinals) allowed Pujols the opportunity to start the season in the majors.[14]

In the season's second series with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Pujols hit a home run and three doubles, with eight RBIs. In May, he was named National League Rookie of the Month. In June, he was named to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game by NL manager Bobby Valentine, the first Cardinals' rookie selected since 1955. Pujols' phenomenal rookie season helped the Cardinals tie for the National League Central Division title. For the season, Pujols batted .329 with 37 home runs and 130 RBI, and was unanimously named the National League Rookie of the Year.[15] His 37 home runs were one short of the National League rookie record of 38, held by Wally Berger of the 1930 Boston Braves and Frank Robinson of the 1956 Cincinnati Redlegs. His 130 RBI set an NL rookie record.

2002 season

In 2002, Pujols struggled at first, but batted extremely well through the season, hitting .314 with 34 homers and 127 RBI. The team finished first in the NL Central during a difficult 2002 season , with the deaths of Jack Buck and four days later, Darryl Kile. The Cardinals defeated the Diamondbacks in the first round of the playoffs, but lost to the San Francisco Giants in the National League Championship series. Pujols finished second in the MVP voting behind Barry Bonds.[16]

2003 season

Pujols had one of the best offensive seasons in Cardinals history, batting .359 with 43 home runs, and 124 RBIs. He won the NL batting title while also leading the league in runs, hits, doubles, extra base hits, and total bases. At 23, Pujols became the youngest NL batting champion since 1962, and joined Rogers Hornsby as the only players in Cardinals' history to record 40+ homers and 200+ hits in the same season. The Cardinals failed to make the playoffs. Pujols finished second in the MVP voting to Barry Bonds[17] for the second straight year and had a 30-game hitting streak.

2004 season

Pujols started his major league career playing Third base. During his rookie season, he started at four different positions (1B, 3B, LF, and RF). When Scott Rolen joined the team in 2002, Pujols was moved to left field. Following an injury scare in 2003, Pujols was moved to first base.

Pujols signed a seven-year, $100 million contract extension with a $16 million club option for 2011 on February 20. He received a no-trade clause for 2004–2006, and a limited no-trade clause for the other years, until after the 2010 season when he would receive a '10-5' veto if his 2011 option is picked up and/or he signs again with the Cardinals.[18] [19]

Throughout the year, Pujols was nagged by plantar fasciitis, but was still a powerful hitter, hitting .331 with 46 home runs and 123 RBIs. Pujols, along with teammates Jim Edmonds and Scott Rolen, earned the nickname 'MV3' for their phenomenal season. Pujols was chosen to appear on the cover of EA Sports' video game, MVP Baseball 2004[20]. He was named the MVP of the 2004 NLCS, helping his team reach the World Series.[21]

2005 season: Most Valuable Player

Pujols wearing the 1982 St. Louis Cardinals retro jersey on June 18, 2005 at the Metrodome.

The 2005 season saw Pujols establish career highs in walks and stolen bases, while leading his team in almost every offensive category. He finished batting .330 with 41 home runs (including his 200th career homer), 117 RBIs, 97 walks, and 16 stolen bases. His performance earned him the 2005 National League MVP award.[22]

The Cardinals were eliminated by the Houston Astros 4 games to 2 in the NLCS, but Pujols hit a memorable home run in Game 5, with the Cardinals only one out from elimination. With the Astros leading 4–2 with two outs in the ninth inning, Pujols hit a game-winning, three-run home run off closer Brad Lidge that landed on the train tracks in the back of Minute Maid Park.[23] After the game, Pujols commented that he was telling himself, "Don't try to be a hero; don't try to hit a three-run home run."[24]

In 2005, John Dewan noted in The Fielding Bible that no first baseman was better at digging balls out of the dirt than Pujols. Pujols saved 42 bad throws from other fielders. Pujols also shared the major league lead in errors for a first baseman, with 14.

2006 season: World Series Champion

Pujols at the 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Pujols set the record for the most home runs hit in April of the season, at 14, on April 29, 2006. The record was tied by Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees in 2007. On June 3, Pujols suffered an oblique strain chasing a foul pop fly. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list for the first time in his career on June 4 – June 21, missing 15 games. Pujols by then had 25 home runs and 65 RBI and was on pace to break the single-season records held by Barry Bonds (73 HRs) and Hack Wilson (191 RBI). He returned in time to help the Cardinals win the NL Central. He started at first base for the NL All-Star team. Pujols finished the season with a .331 batting average, establishing new career-highs in slugging percentage (in which he led the majors), 49 home runs (2nd) and 137 RBIs (2nd). In the MVP voting, he came in a close second to Ryan Howard, garnering 12 of 32 first-place votes.[25]

After appearing in the playoffs with the Cardinals in four of his first five years in the big leagues but falling short each time, Pujols won his first championship ring when the Cardinals won the 2006 World Series, defeating the Detroit Tigers four games to one.[26]

Pujols' defensive improvements were recognized with his first Gold Glove award. He had the highest range factor among first basemen in his two full seasons at the position, and led the National League in that category; emblematic was the sprawling, flip-from-his-back play Pujols made to rob Plácido Polanco of a hit in the 7th inning of Game 5 of the World Series.

2007 season

Pujols had a slower start in the spring than in previous years due to several injuries in his right elbow. Following the All-Star break, he hit four home runs in his first three games back. Pujols was also awarded Player of the Week honors (July 15), going 9-for-15 with a 1.357 slugging percentage and 19 total bases, hitting .429.

He hit his 25th home run on August 15, making him the fifth player to hit 25 home runs in his first seven seasons in the major leagues, and the first since Darryl Strawberry. On August 22, he hit his 30th home run of the season, becoming the first major league player to hit at least 30 home runs in each of his first 7 seasons. It was his fifth consecutive game with a home run, tying the Cardinals' single-season record. He finished August batting .317, slugging .558 with 30 home runs and 84 runs batted in, and a .416 on-base percentage despite his slower-than-usual start in April.

In a pre-game warmup before a September 18th home game, Pujols suffered a strained left calf muscle, and was not able to start or appear in the game. In September, he hit two home runs for a total of 32, the last one giving him 16 RBI for the month, and 100 RBI for the seventh consecutive year, to be only the third player to accomplish that from the start of his career.

Pujols won the Fielding Bible Award for defensive excellence at first base.[27]

2008 season: Second MVP and Roberto Clemente Award

Pujols reached another milestone in the season when he hit his 300th career double in April 2008.[28] In April and May, he reached base safely (via hit, walk, or hit-by-pitch) for 42 consecutive games.[29] On June 10th, Pujols strained his left-calf muscle and went on the 15-day disabled list for the second time in his career.[30][31] He was re-activated on June 26, after missing 13 games.[32] Pujols won his seventh career NL Player of the Week award for Aug. 18–24 after batting .579 (11-for-19) with a .652 on-base percentage, a 1.105 slugging percentage, and 10 RBIs.[33] He got his 1,500th career hit on August 30, against the Houston Astros.[34] His 30th home run on September 1, and his 100th RBI on September 11th, made him the first player in MLB history to start his career with eight seasons of at least 30 HR, 100 RBIs, a .300 BA, and 99 runs. He also finished with a league-leading .296 Isolated Power (ISO) average.[35]

On October 13, Pujols elected to have surgery on his troubled right elbow, "a procedure that included decompression and transposition of the ulnar nerve" but not the more invasive Tommy John surgery to relieve persistent pain.[36]

Pujols won a number of awards for the year, including the Players Choice National League Outstanding Player of the Year[37], and Players Choice Player of the Year[38][39] (his second Player of the Year Award, having also won in 2003; he joined Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds as two-time winners). Pujols was also named The Sporting News Player of the Year for the second time in his career.[40] On October 25, Pujols was named the 2008 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award for the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement, and the individual's contribution to his team.[41]

Pujols won the Fielding Bible Award for defensive excellence at first base for the third consecutive year.[42] For the third time in four years, Pujols was named NL Most Valuable Player in the annual Internet Baseball Awards,[43] a poll conducted by Baseball Prospectus. Pujols also won his fourth Silver Slugger award, having previously won one at 3B in 2001, OF in 2003, and 1B in 2004.[44]

On November 17, Pujols won his second NL MVP Award.[45] The MVP award continues his streak of finishing in the top nine in the BBWAA voting every year of the first 8 years of his career.[46] He ended the year by winning TYIB's 'Hitter of the Year' Award.[47]

2009 season

On February 15, he confirmed he would not play in the World Baseball Classic for his native Dominican Republic, because of insurance issues relating to his off-season right elbow surgery in October 2008.[48]

On March 2, it was confirmed he decided not to participate in a Cardinals' exhibition game (March 5) against his native country Dominican Republic (Roster). Pujols said that had he played for the Dominican Team in the WBC, he would have sat out that exhibition game as well. [49]

According to USA Today, Albert Pujols was ranked the best first baseman in all of baseball.

On April 25, he hit his eighth career grand slam against the Chicago Cubs on Fox national television, giving him 1,002 RBIs, powering the Cardinals to a 8-2 win. He became the 260th player to reach the coveted 1,000 RBI mark after Carlos Beltran (New York Mets) did it the night before. He also became the 30th player in history to reach 1,000 RBIs before his 30th birthday and now ranks fifth among all Cardinals' players with his 1,002 RBIs, passing Ken Boyer.[50][51] His grand slam was his 38th career home run against the Cubs, more than against any other team.[52]

He was named 'NL Player of the Week' for the ninth time in his career (April 20-26, 2009) by leading the NL with 11 RBIs, ranked third in slugging percentage (.950) and on-base percentage (.556), tied for third in home runs (three) and posted a .450 batting average, going 9-for-20 at the plate. [53]

On May 5, he was named NL Player of the Month for April. It was the fourth time he had won the award.[54]

On May 21, he hit a memorable upper-deck HR off the "Big Mac Land" sign in left field against the Cubs, causing the 'I" in "Big" to be knocked out.[55]

On June 7, he hit a sacrifice fly in the first inning that scored two runners (Skip Schumaker and Colby Rasmus). It was the first time a Cardinals' player has done that since Tom Herr performed the feat in the 1982 World Series (Game Four, Oct. 16), scoring Willie McGee and Ozzie Smith.[56]

On June 13, he hit his 27th career multi-HR game, his fourth in 2009, plus a double giving him 10 total bases against Cleveland in a (Fox) nationally-televised game.[57] On June 19, he became the 301st player in history to score 1,000 runs, at Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium.[58][59]

On June 21 against the cross-State Royals, he became only the fourth Cardinals' player to hit three grand slams in a season, joining Jim Bottomley (1925), Keith Hernandez (1977), and Fernando Tatis (1999) in attaining this feat. His grand slam was the 9th of his illustrious career, tying Stan Musial's team record.[60] In his next at-bat, he hit his NL-leading: 26th HR, 68th RBI (a six-RBI day), and slugging .722 in his 28th career multi-HR game that included a double and single in his four-for-five day as a designated hitter.

He was named 'NL Player of the Week' (June 15-21) for the 10th time in his career by leading the NL with 11 RBIs, hitting four home runs, and posting a .389 batting average, going 7-for-18 at the plate.[61] He also led the NL with a 1.111 slugging percentage.[62]

On June 27 against the interleague team Minnesota Twins, he enjoyed his 29th career multi-HR game, each one a 2-run home run boosting his NL-leading RBI total to 74.

On June 30 against the San Francisco Giants, he had his 30th career multi-HR game, pushing his NL-leading HR total to 30 and his leading RBI total to 77. His first home run of the night was a monster shot off Randy Johnson which traveled 447 feet -- one of the longest in Busch Stadium (III) history. He also tied his career high for home runs in any month with 14 in June. He had 14 in April 2006, and 32 RBIs. His 35 RBIs in June is also a career high for him (33 RBIs, May 2006). Pujols became the 24th player and only the 32nd time that someone hit 30 or more home runs before the all-star break. He also became the 7th player and only the 10th time someone hit 30 home runs before the month of July.[63]

On July 3, he was named 'Player of the Month' (June) for the 5th time in his career.[64] On the same day, he slugged his Cardinals' record-breaking 10th grand slam at Cincinnati, breaking the tie he previously shared with Stan Musial.[8] It was his fourth grand slam in the 2009 season in the first game past the half-way point (82nd team game).

With almost 5.4 million votes announced on July 5th, he was the leading vote-getter of all players (in either league), to play 1b in the All-Star Game in his (St. Louis) baseball home town, July 14th. His 5,397,374 All-Star votes was the highest number of votes in NL history, and the second-highest ever only to Ken Griffey Jr's almost 6.1 million.[65] [66] [67] [68]

He decided to participate in the Home Run Derby prior to the All-Star Game, for the third time, after his starting pick and feeling healthy enough. He participated in the Derby previously in 2003 and in 2007.[69]

Personal

Pujols married his wife, Deidre, on January 1, 2000. They have three children, Isabella (Deidre's daughter, adopted by Albert), Albert Jr., and Sophia. Albert and his wife are active in the cause of people with Down syndrome, as Isabella was born with this condition. He has taken part-ownership in Patrick's Restaurant in Maryland Heights, Missouri. The remodeled restaurant was re-opened as Pujols 5 on August 30, 2006.[70]

Pujols is close friends with second baseman Plácido Polanco, a former teammate with the St. Louis Cardinals. Pujols is godfather to Polanco's 3-year-old son, Ismael.[71] Polanco played for the 2006 Detroit Tigers team that lost to the Cardinals in the 2006 World Series.

On February 7, 2007, Pujols became a U.S. citizen,[72] scoring a perfect 100 on his citizenship test.[73]

On April 24, 2007, Upper Deck Authenticated announced it had signed Pujols to an exclusive autographed memorabilia agreement.

On November 18, 2008, Pujols agreed to help bring a MLS franchise to St. Louis by using his reputation and a large financial investment.[74]

Pujols and his wife are active Christians; his foundation's website states, "In the Pujols family, God is first. Everything else is a distant second."[75]

Pujols Family Foundation

In 2005, Albert and Deidre Pujols launched the Pujols Family Foundation, which is dedicated to "the love, care and development of people with Down syndrome and their families," as well as helping the poor in the Dominican Republic. Pujols has taken several trips to the Dominican, by taking supplies as well as a team of doctors and dentists to the poor who need medical care.[76] The Pujols Family Foundation also holds an annual golf tournament in which members from the Cardinals and other people play golf to raise money to send dentists to the Dominican Republic. [77]

Accomplishments

  • Eight-time All-Star (2001, 2003-09)
  • 48-game consecutive on-base streak in 2001, from July 28 - September 22.
  • Two-time MVP of the National League (2005, 2008), finishing second three times (2002, 2003, & 2006)
  • National League Batting Champion, 2003
  • Second all-time for most home runs hit in first five seasons (201 home runs from 2001 through 2005), behind Ralph Kiner.
  • Named to Major League Baseball's Latino Legends Team in 2005 as the starting first baseman.
  • Hit the first Cardinal home run in new Busch Stadium (Apr. 10, 2006)[78]
  • Became the 35th player to hit home runs in four consecutive at-bats, and the 20th batter to hit four home runs in four consecutive plate appearances, on April 16 and 17, 2006.
  • Holds the record for most home runs in the month of April with 14 in 2006 (tied by Alex Rodriguez, 2007).
  • Became the fastest player in Major League history to reach 19 home runs in a season, doing so on May 13, 2006.
  • Became the third-fastest, after Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire, to reach 25 home runs in a season, doing so on May 29, 2006.
  • Became the 16th batter to hit three home runs in a game twice in the same season in 2006 (April 16 & September 3).
  • 20 of his 49 home runs accounted for the game-winning RBI in 2006, breaking Willie Mays' single-season record set in 1962.[79][80]
  • 2006 World Series Championship.
  • Hit his 300th career home run on July 4, 2008.
  • Became the fastest player to get career home run 300 from their 1st (April 6, 2001 - July 4 2008), totaling 2,646 days, beating Alex Rodriguez by 572 days (June 12, 1995 - April 3, 2003).
  • Became only the second player to hit 300 home runs in his first eight seasons. Ralph Kiner, the first to do it, had 329 home runs in his first eight seasons.
  • Became one of only four players in major league history with a career batting average of .330 or higher [.332] and fewer than 500 strikeouts [480] at the time of their 300th home run. Ted Williams, Stan Musial, and Joe DiMaggio were the others.
  • Became only the third player in baseball history to start his career with eight consecutive seasons of 100+ RBIs, on September 11, 2008. Al Simmons (1924-1934) with 11, and Ted Williams (1939-42, 1946-49) with 8, were the only other players to accomplish that feat.[81]
  • Became the only player in baseball history to start his career in eight consecutive seasons with a .300+ batting average, 30+ HRs, 100+ RBIs and 99+ runs scored. From 2001 through 2008, his seasonal averages in these Triple Crown categories have been .334, 40, and 122.
  • Became only the 11th National League player to win the MLB Most Valuable Player Award at least two times (2005, 2008).
  • Hit his 8th career grand slam on April 25, 2009, in a nationally televised (Fox) game against the Chicago Cubs, leading the Cardinals to an 8-2 win with his 1,002nd career RBI becoming the 260th player and only the 6th Cardinals' player to reach 1,000-RBIs .
  • Has 28 career multi-HR games, including 5 in 2009.[82]
  • His first HR on June 13, 2009 was his 1,600th career hit, and he later added his NL-lead-tying 22nd HR and then a Double, giving him a rare 10 total bases in a nationally-televised (Fox) interleague game vs. Cleveland, going 3-for-4 and boosting him to a NL-leading slugging percentage with .699.
  • Became the 301st player to score 1,000 runs when Ryan Ludwick hit his first career grand slam, at his hometown Kansas City at Kauffman Stadium, June 19, 2009.
  • Hit his 9th career grand slam, plus his 28th career multi-HR game; 5th time in 2009 and a six-RBI (3rd time in his career), rare 11-total bases day with an infield single RBI, and a double in a four-hit day, against the Royals on June 21.
  • He is the all-time leading hitter in interleague play, through June 21, batting .349 since it started on June 12, 1997.[83]
  • On June 30th, 2009, Pujols made it the 32nd time in baseball history a player hit 30 or more home runs before the All-Star break, and he did it against future Hall of Famer, Randy Johnson. He also became the 7th player and only done for the 10th time, to hit 30 home runs before the month of July.[63]
  • On July 3rd, 2009, he broke Cardinals' Hall of Fame great Stan Musial's franchise record of 9 grand slams with his 10th.[8]
  • His 173 Adjusted OPS+ is 6th best all-time.[84]


Awards


Career summary

(through July 7, 2009)

CAREER G AB R H 2B 3B HR GS TB RBI BB IBB SO SB SH SF HBP GIDP AVG OBP SLG OPS OPS+ RC
8.52 years 1,323 4,861 1,014 1,626 362 13 350 10 3,064 1,059 764 184 541 55 1 52 63 168 .334 .427 .630 1.058 173 1,295


YEARLY AVERAGES for career (2001- 2009 pro-rated, through July 7)

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB R Created
155 570 119 191 42 2 41 124 360 90 63 6 152


See also

References

  1. ^ "Albert Pujols Statistics". 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
  2. ^ Nate Silver (2006). "Baseball's most valuable players". ESPN.com.
  3. ^ Hal Bodley (2006-10-31). "Cardinals slugger Pujols earns perfect score in annual Elias player rankings". USA Today.
  4. ^ Stark, Jayson (2008-04-24). "Identifying the most feared hitter in the bigs". ESPN.com.
  5. ^ Active Leaders & Records for Batting Average (Baseball-Reference.com)
  6. ^ Active Leaders & Records for Slugging % (Baseball-Reference.com)
  7. ^ "Pujols swats career homer No. 300: Slugger becomes fifth-youngest player to reach total". MLB.com. 2008-07-04.
  8. ^ a b c "Pujols' slam notches several milestones: Star sets season, career slam mark; third-youngest to 350". MLB.com. 2009-07-04.
  9. ^ Albert Pujols Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights
  10. ^ Edes, Gordon (2006). "One that got away: Scout recalls Red Sox passing on Pujols". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  11. ^ SignOnSanDiego.com > Sports - 401 players taken before Pujols in '99
  12. ^ Pujols prime example of late Draft value: Cards nabbed star in 7th heaven, others after first few rounds, MLB.com (June 10, 2009)
  13. ^ "Albert Pujols - The Baseball Cube". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved 2009-06-23.
  14. ^ JockBio.com > Sports - Albert Pujols Biography
  15. ^ "St. Louis' Pujols named NL Rookie of the Year". USA Today. November 11, 2001. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  16. ^ "Bonds walks away with NL MVP honors: Slugger edges out Albert Pujols for his fifth MVP". Daily Texan. November 12, 2002. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  17. ^ "Bonds wins 3rd straight; Pujols distant 2nd". ESPN.com. November 19, 2003. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  18. ^ Scout.com
  19. ^ A "10-5" veto is a MLB rule that allows a player with 10 years of MLB service, and 5 years with a team, to veto a proposed trade; the player does not have to have a "no-trade clause" in his contract for the 10-5 rule to be invoked.
  20. ^ "EA Votes in Albert Pujols as Its MVP; St. Louis Cardinals All-Star to Grace Cover of MVP Baseball 2004". EA Sports. November 20, 2003. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  21. ^ "Pujols led Cards with 9 RBI in NLCS". ESPN.com. October 22, 2004. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  22. ^ Shpigel, Ben (November 16, 2005). "Pujols's Excellence Finally Earns Him an M.V.P." New York Times. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  23. ^ Leach, Matthew (October 15, 2005). "Pujols keeps Cards' season alive". MLB. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  24. ^ http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051018&content_id=1253764&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl
  25. ^ Curry, Jack (November 21, 2006). "Phillies' Howard Beats Out Pujols for M.V.P. of National League". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  26. ^ "Cards roll past Tigers for first Series win since '82". ESPN.com. October 27, 2006. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  27. ^ The Official Site of The St. Louis Cardinals: News: St. Louis Cardinals News
  28. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals GAME NOTES". St. Louis Cardinals. 2008-03-05. p. 3. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  29. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals GAME NOTES" (PDF). MLB.com. 2008-05-11.
  30. ^ "Pujols suffers strained left calf: Cards slugger to be examined Wednesday, likely headed to DL". MLB.com. 2008-06-11.
  31. ^ "Pujols to miss at least three weeks: With slugger sidelined due to calf strain, Cards recall Duncan". MLB.com. 2008-06-11.
  32. ^ Matthew Leach (2008-06-26). "Pujols returns to fold at DH in finale: Slugger comes off 15-day disabled list to face the Tigers". MLB.com.
  33. ^ Pujols wins NL Player of the Week: Cardinals slugger hits .579 with 10 RBIs to earn award
  34. ^ Looper rocked by Astros in Houston
  35. ^ [1]
  36. ^ "Pujols has surgery on right elbow". MLB.com. 2008-10-13.
  37. ^ "Players pick Pujols as NL's best: Slugger beats out Chipper, Howard as Outstanding Player". MLB.com. 2008.10.21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  38. ^ "Albert Pujols wins Player of the Year Award". Yahoo. 2008-10-24.
  39. ^ "Albert Pujols named Player of the Year". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 2008-10-24.
  40. ^ "Albert Pujols named SN's Player of the Year". Sporting News. 2008.10.22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ^ "Pujols wins Clemente Award: Cardinals' first baseman honored for play, off-field efforts". MLB.com. 2008-10-25. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
  42. ^ Goold, Derrick (2008-10-30). "Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina snag Fielding awards". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 2008-10-30. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  43. ^ Greg Spira (2008.11.05). "The 2008 Internet Baseball Awards: NL Results and Wrap-Up". Baseball Prospectus. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  44. ^ Derrick Goold (2008-11-13). "Ryan Ludwick, Albert Pujols win Silver Slugger bats". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  45. ^ Matthew Leach (November 17, 2008). "Crowning Achievement: Pujols NL MVP: Cards slugger's dazzling season helps club exceed expectations". MLB.com. Retrieved November 17, 2008.
  46. ^ "Albert Pujols player page". Baseball-Reference.com.
  47. ^ "Pujols named TYIB's Hitter of the Year: Slugger adds honor to list that also includes NL MVP, Clemente". MLB.com. 2008-12-15. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
  48. ^ "Pujols won't participate in Classic: Slugger unable to get insurance for surgically repaired elbow". MLB.com. 2009-02-16. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
  49. ^ "Pujols won't play vs. Dominican: Cardinals slugger to sit out of Thursday's exhibition game". MLB.com. 2009-03-02.
  50. ^ Pujols' slam backs Boggs vs. Cubs: Slugger passes 1,000 RBIs; rookie allows unearned run
  51. ^ Pujols passes milestone with slam: Slugger 23rd active player to reach 1,000 RBIs
  52. ^ John Rooney on KTRS radio, (Apr. 26)
  53. ^ "Pujols named NL Player of the Week: St. Louis slugger demonstrates both hitting prowess and speed". MLB.com. 2009-04-27.
  54. ^ a b "Pujols honored as April's top NL hitter: Cards slugger homered eight times, led league in RBIs, runs". MLB.com. 2009-05-05.
  55. ^ Showdown sweep: Cards finish Cubs; Wainwright nearly posts CG; Pujols, Barden rip long balls MLB.com (May 22, 2009)
  56. ^ "Pujols' sacrifice fly scores two runs: Slugger's feat the first for a Cardinal since 1982". MLB.com. 2009-06-07.
  57. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals GAME NOTES" (PDF). MLB.com. 2009-06-14. p. p. 2. {{cite web}}: |page= has extra text (help)
  58. ^ "Pujols scores 1,000th career run: Cards slugger pads resume in victory over Royals". MLB.com. 2009-06-20.
  59. ^ "Cardinals put on power display in KC: Ludwick's slam makes Royals pay for passing on Pujols". MLB.com. 2009-06-20.
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  61. ^ a b "An Easy Call: Pujols NL Player of Week". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 2009-06-22. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  62. ^ "Pujols named NL Player of the Week: First baseman mashes three homers, drives in 11 runs". MLB.com. 2009-06-22.
  63. ^ a b "Pujols launches long ball No. 30: Slugger joins elite group with lofty sum before All-Star break". MLB.com. 2009-07-01.
  64. ^ a b "Pujols named NL Player of the Month: Cards slugger belted 14 home runs, drove in 35 in June". MLB.com. 2009-07-03.
  65. ^ "Trio of Cards heading to All-Star Game: Molina, Franklin first-timers; Pujols the top overall vote-getter". MLB.com. 2009-07-05. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  66. ^ "Pujols leads Majors in All-Star votes: Cardinals slugger top online vote-getter for second time". MLB.com. 2009-07-05. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  67. ^ "Pujols, Jeter lead star-studded rosters: NL team includes four first basemen; AL has 10 first-timers". MLB.com. 2009-07-05. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  68. ^ "Pujols sets NL All-Star vote record". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 2009-07-06. Retrieved 2009-07-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  69. ^ "All-Star centerpiece joins Derby field: Leading vote-getter Pujols to participate in Monday event". MLB.com. 2009-07-06. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
  70. ^ "Pujols Swings, and it's a grand...opening". St. Louis Post Dispatch. Retrieved 2006-09-02. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  71. ^ Enrique Rojas (2006-10-23). "Pujols is godfather to Polanco's son". ESPN.com.
  72. ^ Leach, Matthew (2007-02-08). "Pujols officially becomes U.S. citizen". MLB.com.
  73. ^ AP (2007). "Pujols officially becomes U.S. citizen". Daily Vidette online.
  74. ^ "Pujols joins St. Louis' push for MLS expansion club". Sporting News. 2008-11-18. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
  75. ^ "About Our Faith". Pujols Family Foundation. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  76. ^ "Mission Statement". Pujols Family Foundation. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  77. ^ http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080908&content_id=3439416&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl Pujols' golf event
  78. ^ Recap of first game at New Busch (Apr. 10, 2006).
  79. ^ AP (2006-09-27). "Three-run Pujols blast helps Cards snap 7-game skid". ESPN.com.
  80. ^ AP (2006-09-29). "Cards power past Brewers, extend narrow division lead". ESPN.com.
  81. ^ Matthew Leach (2008-09-12). "Pujols reaches RBI century mark: Third player to begin career with eight straight such seasons". MLB.com.
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  83. ^ Brian Walton on TheStLCardinals.com (June 22, 2009)
  84. ^ Career Leaders & Records for Adjusted OPS+, Baseball-Reference.com, (July 3, 2009), accessed July 4, 2009
  85. ^ Greg Spira (2008-11-05). "The 2008 Internet Baseball Awards: NL Results and Wrap-Up". BaseballProspectus.com.
  86. ^ Greg Spira (2005-11-01). "Internet Baseball Awards: 2005 National League Winners". Baseball Prospectus.
  87. ^ Greg Spira (2006-11-02). "Internet Baseball Awards: The Results Are In". Baseball Prospectus.
  88. ^ Players pick Pujols as NL's best
  89. ^ Pujols garners another award: First baseman tabbed as Sporting News' Player of Year
  90. ^ "Albert Pujols wins Player of the Year Award". Yahoo. 2008.10.24. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  91. ^ Pujols Wins Clemente Award: Cardinals' first baseman honored for play, off-field efforts
  92. ^ "The 2008 Fielding Bible Awards". The Fielding Bible. 2008-10-30. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
  93. ^ Bill James (2008-10-30). "The 2008 Fielding Bible Awards". The Fielding Bible. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
  94. ^ Greg Spira (2008-11-05). "The 2008 Internet Baseball Awards: NL Results and Wrap-Up". BaseballProspectus.com.
  95. ^ "Pujols earns NLBM's top annual award: Negro Leagues Baseball Museum deems Cards star best NL player". MLB.com. 2008-11-11. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
  96. ^ Derrick Goold (2008-11-13). "Ryan Ludwick, Albert Pujols win Silver Slugger bats". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
  97. ^ "Pujols powers way to 2nd NL MVP award". KSDK.com. 2008-11-17. Retrieved 2008-11-17.
  98. ^ "Pujols named TYIB's Hitter of the Year: Slugger adds honor to list that also includes NL MVP, Clemente". MLB.com. 2008-12-15. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
  99. ^ "Pujols named NL Player of the Week: St. Louis slugger demonstrates both hitting prowess and speed". MLB.com. 2009-04-27.
  100. ^ "Sporting News' Top 50 MLB players". Sporting News.com. 2009-05-20. Retrieved 2009-05-21.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Albert Pujols.

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