Albert Pujols
In each of his first seven seasons, Albert Pujols hit at least .300, slugged at least 30 homers, and drove in at least 100 runs. In his fifth season, at the age of 25, he won the National League Most Valuable Player Award. He earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2001, won the batting title in 2003, and helped the Cardinals to the post-season in five of his first six seasons, culminating in a World Championship in 2006. A mediocre third baseman and left fielder, Pujols was switched to first base in 2004.
Quotes About Pujols
"When that ball flew over our heads, I turned to Mike Mason, our bullpen coach, and said, 'That's why they pay that guy 100 million bucks.' "— Cardinals reliever Ray King, who was in the bullpen when Pujols belted his game-winning three-run homer against the Astros in Game Five of the 2005 NLCS
All-Time Rankings
Albert Pujols ranks #25 among the Top 50 all-time at 1B. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 2003
Albert hit a league-leading .359, and paced the NL in hits (212), runs (137), total bases (394), doubles (51), and extra-base hits (95).
Factoids
In 2005, Albert Pujols reached base in the first 33 games of the season.
Players Who Hit Three Homers in One Game, and Last Homer was a Game-Ender
05/30/1958: Walt Moryn, Cubs
06/26/1958: Hector Lopez, A's
04/21/1959: Don Demeter, Dodgers
07/27/1979: Cecil Cooper, Brewers
05/04/1980: Otto Velez, Jays
07/31/1991: Jack Clark, Red Sox
04/15/2001: Todd Hollandsworth, Rockies
04/16/2006: Albert Pujols, Cardinals
Source: David Vincent, SABR Home Run Expert
Born
Jose Alberto Pujols was born on January 16, 1980, in Santo Domingo
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: 1B
Primary Team: SLN
College: Maple Woods CC
Nicknames
Prince Albert, Phat Albert
Similar Players
Hank Aaron was even better than Pujols, if you can imagine that. But at the plate, the two are comparable: sluggers who can hit for a high average and are immune to slumps.
Post-Season Appearances
2001 National League Divisional Series
2002 National League Championship Series
2002 National League Divisional Series
2004 National League Championship Series
2004 National League Divisional Series
2004 World Series
2005 National League Championship Series
2005 National League Divisional Series
Awards and Honors
2001 NL Rookie of the Year
2004 NL NLCS MVP
Notes
On April 17, 2006, Albert Pujols homered in the first inning, giving him a homer in four consecutive at-bats, dating back to April 16, when he belted three home runs.
Hitting Streaks
30 games (2003)
All-Star Selections
2001 NL
2003 NL
2004 NL
2005 NL
Best Strength as a Player
Hitting and hitting for power.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Throwing arm.
Learn More about Albert Pujols
Search Amazon.com for Books about Albert Pujols ⇒
Search for Albert Pujols at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
