Albert Pujols

José Albert Pujols (born January 16, 1980 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball player with the St. Louis Cardinals. He is widely regarded as one of the best offensive players in the game, able to consistently hit for average and power. In recent years he has also become an above-average defensive player at first base. On August 5th, 2005, Pujols became the first player in Major League history to hit 30 or more home runs in each of his first five seasons. On August 31st of that year, he became the first Major League player since Ted Williams to reach the 100 RBI mark in each of his first five seasons.

Major Leagues

During spring training in 2001, the Cardinals were preparing for Pujols to join the Major League ranks, but the Cardinals' roster was already full of talented players, including Mark McGwire, Fernando Viña, Edgar Rentería, Ray Lankford, Jim Edmonds and J.D. Drew. However, an injury to bench player Bobby Bonilla freed up a roster spot, and Pujols played on Opening Day against the Colorado Rockies in Denver.

Related Topics:
Spring training - 2001 - Mark McGwire - Fernando Viña - Edgar Rentería - Ray Lankford - Jim Edmonds - J.D. Drew - Bobby Bonilla - Colorado Rockies - Denver

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In the season's second series, playing against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Pujols hit a home run, three doubles and eight runs batted in, securing his spot on the team. By May, he was named National League Rookie of the Month. By June, he was named to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game by NL manager Bobby Cox, the first Cardinal rookie named to the team since 1955. Pujols continued with his phenomenal rookie season, helping the Cardinals earn a Wild Card berth in the playoffs. For the season, Pujols batted .329 with 37 home runs and 130 runs batted in and was named the National League Rookie of the Year.

Related Topics:
Arizona Diamondbacks - Doubles - Runs batted in - National League - Major League Baseball All-Star Game - Bobby Cox - 1955 - Home run - Rookie of the Year

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In 2002, Pujols struggled early as pitchers learned to pitch to him, but Pujols continued to bat well throughout the season, hitting .314 with 34 homers and 127 RBIs. The Cardinals finished first in the NL Central during a difficult campaign that saw the death of team announcer Jack Buck and the sudden death of pitcher Darryl Kile. The Cardinals defeated the Diamondbacks in the first round of the playoffs, but lost to the San Francisco Giants in the NL Championship series.

Related Topics:
2002 - Jack Buck - Darryl Kile - San Francisco Giants

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In the 2003 season, Pujols had his best season yet, batting .359 with 43 home runs and 124 RBIs, winning the National League batting title, but the Cardinals failed to make the playoffs, faltering in the stretch to the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central. Pujols also finished second in the MVP voting, but lost that award to Barry Bonds.

Related Topics:
2003 - Chicago Cubs - Barry Bonds

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For 2004, Pujols was nagged by hamstring problems, but was still a powerful hitter, hitting .331 with 46 home runs and 123 RBI. In addition, Pujols was also named to grace the cover of EA Sports' video game, MVP Baseball 2004. He was also the MVP of the 2004 National League Championship Series, helping his team reach the World Series, where they were swept by the Boston Red Sox.

Related Topics:
2004 - Hamstring - EA Sports - Video game - MVP Baseball 2004 - 2004 National League Championship Series - World Series - Boston Red Sox

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