All About Albert

Poignant Pujols Plasters Pitches

So I get in my car at 3:06 pm yesterday afternoon and hear the radio call from St. Louis where Albert Pujols whacked his second homerun of the game against the Mets. The Cardinals slugger signed his first major league contract ten years ago at the ripe young age of 19. He debuted for the redbirds in 2001 and went on to win the Rookie of the Year and finish fourth in NL MVP votes. Albert burned the baseball, clubbing 37 homeruns and driving home 130 in just his first season. Pujols has added two MVPs and 286 long balls, including four already this season, since that time.
I am smitten the way Pujols emits a baseball as if brushing dry dust off a desk. You watch Albert and it’s truly amazing how he preaches patience at the plate and the ball cascades off his bat. He consistently gets on base, whether he works the count to coax walks, spreads the ball around the outfield for extra-base hits, or torches fastballs into the stands. Not only does Pujols perform phenomenally in the regular season but he also has a plethora or post-season praises. The Cardinals first baseman batted over .500 during two playoffs (2004 NLCS & 2005 NLDS). He scored 10 runs, had 9 RBIs and 4 homeruns in 2004 against Houston in 7 games. That one series was his best and indicates how dangerous Pujols’ bat is in the Cardinals lineup. The fine first base defender is the best in all of baseball today. His right-handed stick in 2008 should probably have earned him his third MVP, despite St. Louis missing the playoffs. Albert his .386 last September to lead the Cardinals down the stretch and keep them in contention. He is ever capable of carrying a team on his back and seems immune to slumps.
Pujols came into the league as a ready-made all-star. His head coach, Tony LaRussa, knew right away Albert was a special player and a rare breed. It seems like Pujols will only get better because he continues to improve and impress each season. He has been hindered by injuries and strains that forced him to miss major parts of past seasons. Yet, he still ranks high in all the hitting and fielding categories year in and year out. Pujols’ monster offensive numbers reveal him as one of the greatest hitters of all time. His ridiculous production for St. Louis place him in the top ten in homeruns for players through age 24. The 160 four baggers by Pujols plume only seven other players during similar spans. Eddie Matthews is number one of all time, with 190, and Arod is second with 189. He also ranks in the top ten in doubles, joined by three other players in baseball history at that age. It is pretty telling of how highly-esteemed a player is when today’s prospects are already being compared to Pujols as if that is the highest honor they can attest. Most aspiring athletes subscribe to Albert’s attributes and satiating stats.
Albert is not only a skillful player and smart base runner, but he is well-liked and is always giving back to the community in charitable fashion. Pujols is a compelling figure in baseball but often flies under the radar, perhaps because he plays in the Midwest. He actually came up through the organization as a promising third base prospect from the Dominican Republic. He toyed with tackling the outfield and mashed the heck out of the baseball before LaRussa made him Tino Martinez’s replacement at first base in 2004. Pujols is a power hitter with a big frame, so speed is not going to materialize in his career. But his keen eyesight and ability to pound the baseball are threatening enough for pitchers. As a batter, he does not show a stride when he swings and simply strokes the ball using good balanced and quick hands. Albert never received professional training as a hitter. Instead he learned to play ball where he grew up in Santo Domingo. His relaxed approach to hitting is an art in itself. His uncomplicated swing utilizes the hands at the point of impact, transferring the power from his hips and legs. Many other sluggers have attempted to copy and mimic Albert’s succulent swing since he hit his way into the game. The quick reaction time allows Pujols to drive deep deliveries into the deck.
Only two players have put up comparable numbers to Albert in their first six professional seasons: Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams. Albert averaged .300 or above at the plate seven straight years with at least 30 homeruns and 100 RBIs. Some players do not hit 30 dingers in three seasons and can’t ever piece together triple digit RBI seasons, let alone seven. Albert is a deep threat but also a concrete situational hitter, and that’s where his true value resides. He’s an nuisance causing peril to pitchers at the plate.
He’s probably a shoo-in Hall Of Famer but that one lingering question still hangs over him like a dark cloud. Has Pujols used steroids or performance-enhancing drugs? Skeptics seem to think he was on the juice at some time during this remarkable career where he’s put up astronomical stats. Others believe he’s as clean as a whistle and just an incredible talent who works hard. Whatever the truth may be, he will be linked to the steroid era. Either way, I do know how easily I can get engrossed and enamored with the 29 year old’s stinging bat and manipulation of the baseball.

Parting points: Enjoy the Yankees-Red Sox series this weekend and the gorgeous weather.

“There's about 65,000 seats up at that stadium. But I don't want you to get your hopes up, because they're all screwed down.”- from The Dream Team