Albert Pujols

Albert Pujols

Pujols with the Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals — No. 5
First baseman
Born: January 16, 1980 (1980-01-16) (age 31)
Bats: Right Throws: Right 
MLB debut
April 2, 2001 for the St. Louis Cardinals
Career statistics
(through September 3, 2010)
Batting average     .332
Home runs     401
Runs batted in     1,208
Teams
Career highlights and awards
  • 9× All-Star selection (2001, 2003–2010)
  • World Series champion (2006)
  • 6× NL Player of the Month Award
  • 5× Silver Slugger Award (2001, 2003–2004, 2008–2009)
  • Gold Glove Award (2006)
  • 3× NL MVP (2005, 2008, 2009)
  • 2× NL Hank Aaron Award (2003, 2009)
  • 2001 NL Rookie of the Year
  • 2004 NLCS MVP
  • 2006 Marvin Miller Man of Year Award (Players Choice Award)
  • 2008 Roberto Clemente Award
  • 2009 TSN Player of the Decade
  • 4× Fielding Bible Award (2006–2009)
  • 3× TSN Player of the Year (2003, 2008, 2009)
  • 3× ESPY Award for Best MLB Player (2005, 2006, 2009)
  • 3× NL Outstanding Player Players Choice Award (2003, 2008, 2009)
  • 3× NL Player of Year Players Choice Award (2003, 2008, 2009)

José Alberto Pujols Alcántara (born January 16, 1980), better known as Albert Pujols (Spanish pronunciation: [puˈxols]), is a professional baseball player who has played his entire career in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals. Currently a first baseman, Pujols is well-known for his all-around ability as a player to hit for both average and power, plus his base-running and fielding excellence. His consistency over his nine years in the Major Leagues has earned him the reputation as one of the best players in the game today[1][2] and the most feared hitter in baseball, according to a poll of all 30 MLB managers in 2008.[3] Since his MLB debut in 2001, Pujols has been selected as an All-Star eight times, has won the National League Most Valuable Player Award three times, and won a World Series title in 2006.

After the end of the 2009 season, he led all active players in batting average (.334),[4] slugging percentage (.628),[5] and on-base percentage (.427) and ranks among the Top 50 leading home run hitters in Major League Baseball history.[6] He was selected by ESPN.com as the greatest player of the decade from 2000–2009.[7]

He stands 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m), weighs 230 pounds (100 kg), bats and throws right-handed.[8]

Contents

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.[9] He batted .461 for the year.

Professional baseball career

Minor leagues

Few major league teams were very interested in Pujols out of high school, but he was eventually drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 13th round of the 1999 MLB Draft, with the 402nd overall pick.[10] However, Pujols initially turned down a US$ $10,000 bonus and opted to play in the Jayhawk League in Kansas instead. The Cardinals increased their bonus offer to $60,000[11], 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 career

2001–2004

During the 2001 season, the team was preparing for Pujols to be sent to Memphis-AAA. However, Pujols' outstanding play, combined with injuries on the big league roster allowed Pujols the opportunity to start the season in the majors.[12] Pujols started his major league career playing third base. During his rookie season, he started at four different positions (1B, 3B, LF, and RF).

In May, he was named National League Rookie of the Month and was named to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. In the second half of the season, Pujols had a on-base streak of 48 consecutive games from July 28 to September 22. Pujols' successful rookie season helped the Cardinals tie for the National League Central Division title. In 2001, Pujols batted .329 with 37 home runs and 130 RBI, and was unanimously named the National League Rookie of the Year.[13] His 37 home runs were one short of the National League rookie record of 38 and his 130 RBI set an NL rookie record.

In 2002, Pujols was moved to left field to accommodate Scott Rolen and hit .314 with 34 homers and 127 RBI that year.

Following an injury scare in 2003, Pujols was moved to first base and 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. Pujols joined Rogers Hornsby as the only players in Cardinals' history to record 40+ homers and 200+ hits in the same season and had a 30-game hitting streak in 2003.

In 2004, Pujols signed a seven-year, $100 million contract extension with a $16 million club option for 2011 with no trade provisions.

Throughout the year, Pujols was plagued by plantar fasciitis, but was still 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. He was named the MVP of the 2004 NLCS, helping his team reach the World Series.[14]

2005–2006

In 2005 season Pujols established 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 and won the 2005 National League MVP award.[15]

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

In the NLCS the Cardinals were eliminated in six games by the Houston Astros. With the Cardinals trailing by 2 runs and only one out from elimination Pujols hit a game-winning three-run home run that landed on the train tracks in the back of Minute Maid Park.[16]

Early in the 2006 season, Pujols 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. He set the record for the most home runs hit in April of the season, at 14—and became the fastest player in major league history to reach 19 home runs in a season. In June he was placed on the disabled list for the first time in his career, missing 15 games. He started at first base for the NL All-Star team and finished the season with a .331 batting average, establishing new career-highs in slugging percentage (in which he led the majors), 49 home runs (second) and 137 RBIs (second). Of his 49 home runs, 20 accounted for a game-winning RBI, breaking Willie Mays' single-season record set in 1962.[17][18]

Pujols at the 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

After appearing in the playoffs with the Cardinals in four out of five years, Pujols won his first World Series when the Cardinals defeated the Detroit Tigers in the 2006 World Series.[19]

After having shared the lead for errors at his position in 2005, Pujols' defensive improvements earned him his first Gold Glove award in 2006. 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 a sprawling, flip-from-his-back play to save a hit in Game 5 of the World Series.[19]

2007–2008

Pujols had a slower start in the spring of 2007 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.

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.

Pujols notched his 100th 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 in 2007.[20]

In June Pujols went on the 15-day disabled list for only the second time in his career. Pujols won his seventh career NL Player of the Week award for Aug. 18–24.[21] He got his 1,500th career hit on August 30, against the Houston Astros.[22] His 30th home run on September 1, and his 100th RBI on September 11, 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.

In 2008, he also led the NL in two lesser-known sabermetric categories: VORP (98.6), runs created (160), and in OPS+ (190).

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.[23]

Pujols won a number of awards for 2008, including the Players Choice National League Outstanding Player of the Year[24], and Players Choice Player of the Year[25][26] (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.[27] 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.[28]

Pujols won the Fielding Bible Award for defensive excellence at first base for the third consecutive year.[29] For the third time in four years, Pujols was named NL Most Valuable Player in the annual Internet Baseball Awards,[30] 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.[31]

After the season Pujols won his second NL MVP Award.[32] 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.[33] He ended the year by winning TYIB's 'Hitter of the Year' Award.[34]

2009

Pujols participating in the 2009 Home Run Derby

Pujols declined to 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.[35]

In May he hit a memorable upper-deck HR off the "Big Mac Land" sign in left field, causing the 'I" in "Big" to be knocked out.[36]

Pujols was the leading vote-getter for the 2009 MLB All-Star Game, receiving the highest number of votes in NL history thus far.[37][38] For the All-Star Game, which took place at his home ballpark of Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Pujols participated in the Home Run Derby and caught President Barack Obama's ceremonial first pitch before the All-Star Game.

The 2009 season marked the ninth consecutive season since the start of his career that he has reached 100 or more RBI and 30 or more doubles, and the fifth time he has hit 40+ home runs and won his first home run title. In 2009 Pujols also played his 1,000th game at first base[33] and also hit his 40th double of the season, making him the second player in major league history to hit 40 doubles and 40 home runs in three separate seasons (2003, 2004, 2009), joining Lou Gehrig and was a league leader in a variety of offensive categories.

Later that year he was awarded the Sporting News "MLB Player of the Decade".[39][40]

Following the season, Pujols won the Sporting News "MLB Player of the Year" award for the second consecutive year, and his third (2003) overall. He is just the third player in the history of the award to win in consecutive seasons. Boston Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams won the award in 1941–1942, and Cincinnati Reds second baseman Joe Morgan did so in 1975–76.[41]

Pujols was also named the NL MVP, tying Stan Musial as the St. Louis Cardinals' leader in that category.[42]

He also had surgery to remove five bone spurs removed from his troublesome right elbow.[43][44]

2010

Pujols homered twice on Opening Day (April 5) and later surpassed Eddie Mathews' old record (370 in 1952–1961) for most home runs in his first 10 years.[45]

He became the 161st player to hit 400 Doubles in his career on May 20, 2010 at home vs. the Florida Marlins against Nate Robertson.

On May 30, he had his 36th career multihomer game at Wrigley Field hitting 3 home runs. Later in June he had his 37th career multihomer game at Busch Stadium tying Stan Musial's franchise record by a Cardinals' player.[46]

On August 15, Pujols hit his 30th home run of the season extending his own major league record of most consecutive 30 home run seasons (10) to begin a career starting with his rookie year.[47]

On August 26, he became the 47th player to hit his 400th career home run, and the first in major league history to do it in his first 10 seasons.[48] It was against the Washington Nationals in the fourth inning at their ballpark against Jordan Zimmermann. In the same game later, he hit his 30th double (#417 career) of the season, extending his consecutive years of 30+ doubles in a season to all 10 of his playing years. Pujols is the third-youngest player in Major League history to reach the milestone, at 30 years, seven months and 10 days (30,222 days). Only Ken Griffey Jr. (30,140 days) and Alex Rodriguez (29,316 days) hit 400 at an earlier age. Only four players in the history of the game reached their 400th homer in fewer at-bats than Pujols, who got there in career at-bat No. 5,617: Mark McGwire (4,726), Babe Ruth (4,853), Harmon Killebrew (5,300), and Jim Thome (5,416).[49] [50]

He won the NL Player of the Month Award in August for the sixth time, more than any active NL player, hitting .379 (2nd) with 11 home runs (1st), 23 RBIs (T5th), .777 slugging (1st), and .453 on-base percentage (2nd).[48]

Personal life

Pujols married his wife, Deidre, on January 1, 2000. They have four children, Isabella (Deidre's daughter, from a previous relationship), Albert Jr., Sophia, and Ezra[51]. 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 in 2006.[52]

Pujols is close friends with third baseman Plácido Polanco, a former teammate with the St. Louis Cardinals. Pujols is godfather to Polanco's 3-year-old son, Ismael.[53] Polanco and Pujols played on opposite teams in the 2006 World Series.

In 2007 Pujols became a U.S. citizen,[54] scoring a perfect 100 on his citizenship test.[55] Later that year Upper Deck Authenticated announced it had signed Pujols to an exclusive autographed memorabilia agreement.

In 2008, Pujols agreed to help bring a MLS franchise to St. Louis by using his reputation and a large financial investment.[56]

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."[57]

Pujols and Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa attended Glenn Beck's "Restoring Honor" rally in Washington, D.C., after being assured by Beck that the rally is not political.[58][59] During the rally, Pujols was presented with a "Badge of Merit" for "Hope."[60]

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 Republic, by taking supplies as well as a team of doctors and dentists to the poor who need medical care.[61] 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.[62]

A new center for adults with Down syndrome that will bear his name ("Albert Pujols Wellness Center for Adults with Down's Syndrome") is scheduled to open in November 2009 in Chesterfield, Missouri.[63] He was there when it was launched on November 18, 2009.[64][65]

Accomplishments

Pujols is widely considered to be one of the greatest players in modern Major League Baseball; this is due in part to his impressive accrual of statistics and records before the age of 30. Nearing the end of the 2009 season, Pujols currently ranks within the top 15 players in major league history in four statistical categories: on-base percentage (twelfth), slugging percentage (fourth), on-base plus slugging (OPS; fourth), and adjusted OPS (tied for sixth). He also ranks in the top 500 players in major league history in a variety of statistical categories (see below), and is a three-time MVP.

From 2001 to 2005, Pujols hit 201 home runs, second all-time for the most hit in a player's first five seasons. By 2009, he had reached the 350-homer plateau at the age of 29—the third-youngest to do so—and surpassed Ralph Kiner's record for most home runs in his first nine seasons. In so doing, Pujols became the first player to hit 30 or more home runs in the first nine seasons of his career (extended it to 10 in 2010), as well the second player to have 100 or more RBIs in the same timespan.

Pujols holds the Cardinals' franchise record for most career grand slams; he broke the record of nine previously held by Stan Musial.[66] Musial and Pujols are also two of only four players in history to have a career batting average above .330 and less than 500 strikeouts at the time of their 300th home runs (Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio).

In his first 5,000 career at bats, Pujols had amassed 372 doubles, 358 home runs, and 14 triples for a total of 744 extra-base hits, the most in NL history,[67] and is the second player in Major League Baseball to post nine consecutive seasons with 30 doubles, a .300 batting average, 30 home runs, and 100 runs batted in or better (Lou Gehrig). He has scored 100 or more runs in eight of his nine seasons. He currently has eight career walk-off home runs.[68] With his 129th RBI in 2009, he passed "Sunny Jim" Bottomley for third place in Cardinals' history in a career with 1,106. Only Enos Slaughter (1,148) and Stan Musial (1,951) have more.[69], and he passed Slaughter for second place in 2010.

In the field, Pujols has set the Cardinals' franchise record for the most assists by a first baseman in a single game (seven). In 2009, he also set the National League record for assists by a first baseman in a season (182), and in the last game of the 2009 season, he broke Bill Buckner's 1985 major league mark of 184 with his 185th assist. Keith Hernandez held the previous Cardinals' record with 146 assists in 1979, and Mark Grace held the previous NL record with 181 in 1990.[70][71]

In spite of his accomplishments, Pujols has said he does not play solely for the numbers. "I don't play for numbers. I play first of all to glorify God and to accomplish in this game what everybody wants to accomplish, which is getting to the World Series and coming up with a win at the end. Those are the things that I really try to focus on and try to make sure that I do every day for the rest of my career."[72]

Awards and honors

Award / Honor Time(s) Date(s)
NL All-Star 9 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
NL Player of the Month 6 May 2003, June 2003, April 2006, April 2009, June 2009, August 2010
NL Silver Slugger 5[73] 2001 (3B), 2003 (OF), 2004 (1B), 2008 (1B), 2009 (1B)
Fielding Bible Award 4[74] 2006 (1b), 2007 (1b), 2008 (1b), 2009 (1b)
TSN Player of the Year 3[41] 2003, 2008, 2009
NL Outstanding Player (Players Choice Award) 3[75] 2003, 2008, 2009
ESPY Awards Best MLB Player 3[76] 2005, 2006, 2009
NL Most Valuable Player 3[42] 2005, 2008, 2009
Player of Year Award (Players Choice Award) 3 2003, 2008, 2009[77][78]
Hank Aaron Award 2 2003, 2009[79]
World Series champion 1 2006
TSN Player of the Decade 1 2009
NL Batting Champion 1 2003
NL Home Run Champion 1 2009
NL Gold Glove Award 1 2006 (1B)
NLCS MVP 1 2004
Roberto Clemente Award 1[80] 2008
This Year In Baseball's "Hitter of the Year" Award 1[34] 2008
Clutch Performer of the Month 1[81] April 2010
Rookie of the Year 1 2001

Career statistics

Yr. Team Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB OPS+
2010 St. Louis NL 129 488  92 154 31 1 35  95 12 3  80 61 .316 .410 .598 1.008 292 21 1 0 4 32 168
TOTALS  (10 yrs.) 1,528 5,634 1,163 1,871 418 15 401 1,207 73 33 891 631 .332 .426 .625 1.051 3,522 201 70 1 59 230 172

Statistics current through August 31, 2010.[33][a]
Italic in 2010 = leading NL

2010 record here.

Footnotes

See also

References

  1. ↑ Nate Silver (2006). "Baseball's most valuable players". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=silver/060418_2. 
  2. ↑ Hal Bodley (2006-10-31). "Cardinals slugger Pujols earns perfect score in annual Elias player rankings". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2006-10-31-elias-rankings_x.htm?POE=SPOISVA. 
  3. ↑ Stark, Jayson (2008-04-24). "Identifying the most feared hitter in the bigs". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&page=rumblings/080424. 
  4. ↑ Active Leaders & Records for Batting Average (Baseball-Reference.com)
  5. ↑ Active Leaders & Records for Slugging % (Baseball-Reference.com)
  6. ↑ Active Leaders & Records for Home Runs (Baseball-Reference.com)
  7. ↑ Top 100 players of the decade
  8. ↑ Albert Pujols Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights
  9. ↑ Edes, Gordon (October 11, 2006). "One that got away: Scout recalls Red Sox passing on Pujols". Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2006/10/11/one_that_got_away/. Retrieved 2008-09-01. 
  10. ↑ 13th Round of the 1999 MLB Amateur Draft, baseball-reference.com. Retrieved on August 14, 2010.
  11. ↑ Edes, Gordon (2006-10-11). "One that got away: Scout recalls Red Sox passing on Pujols". Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2006/10/11/one_that_got_away. Retrieved 2009-08-04. 
  12. ↑ JockBio.com > Sports – Albert Pujols Biography
  13. ↑ "St. Louis' Pujols named NL Rookie of the Year". USA Today. 2001-11-11. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/stories/2001-11-12-nl-rookie.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-01. 
  14. ↑ "Pujols led Cards with 9 RBI in NLCS". ESPN.com. 2004-10-22. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2004/news/story?id=1907067. Retrieved 2008-09-01. 
  15. ↑ Shpigel, Ben (2005-11-16). "Pujols's Excellence Finally Earns Him an M.V.P.". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/16/sports/baseball/16mvp.html. Retrieved 2008-09-01. 
  16. ↑ Leach, Matthew (2005-10-15). "Pujols keeps Cards' season alive". MLB. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20051017&content_id=1253412&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. Retrieved 2007-07-08. 
  17. ↑ AP (2006-09-27). "Three-run Pujols blast helps Cards snap 7-game skid". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=260927124. 
  18. ↑ AP (2006-09-29). "Cards power past Brewers, extend narrow division lead". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=260929124. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Cards roll past Tigers for first Series win since '82". ESPN.com. 2006-10-27. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=261027124. Retrieved 2008-09-01. 
  20. ↑ Cards snag Fielding Bible Awards: Molina, Pujols recognized as best defenders at their positions (Nov. 2, 2007)
  21. ↑ Pujols wins NL Player of the Week: Cardinals slugger hits .579 with 10 RBIs to earn award
  22. ↑ Looper rocked by Astros in Houston
  23. ↑ "Pujols has surgery on right elbow". MLB.com. 2008-10-13. http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081013&content_id=3617212&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. 
  24. ↑ "Players pick Pujols as NL's best: Slugger beats out Chipper, Howard as Outstanding Player". MLB.com. 2008.10.21. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081021&content_id=3635504&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. 
  25. ↑ "Albert Pujols wins Player of the Year Award". Yahoo. 2008-10-24. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/awards/pa/poty/. 
  26. ↑ "Albert Pujols named Player of the Year". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 2008-10-24. http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/bird-land/bird-land/2008/10/albert-pujols-named-player-of-the-year/. 
  27. ↑ "Albert Pujols named SN's Player of the Year". Sporting News. 2008.10.22. http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=476349. 
  28. ↑ "Pujols wins Clemente Award: Cardinals' first baseman honored for play, off-field efforts". MLB.com. 2008-10-25. http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081025&content_id=3644099&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. Retrieved 2008-10-25. 
  29. ↑ Goold, Derrick (2008-10-30). "Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina snag Fielding awards". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/bird-land/bird-land/2008/10/albert-pujols-yadier-molina-snag-fielding-awards. Retrieved 2008-10-30. 
  30. ↑ Greg Spira (2008.11.05). "The 2008 Internet Baseball Awards: NL Results and Wrap-Up". Baseball Prospectus. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=8282. 
  31. ↑ Derrick Goold (2008-11-13). "Ryan Ludwick, Albert Pujols win Silver Slugger bats". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/bird-land/bird-land/2008/11/ryan-ludwick-albert-pujols-win-silver-slugger-bats/. 
  32. ↑ Matthew Leach (2008-11-17). "Crowning Achievement: Pujols NL MVP: Cards slugger's dazzling season helps club exceed expectations". MLB.com. http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081117&content_id=3681885&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. Retrieved 2008-11-17. 
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 "Albert Pujols player page". Baseball-Reference.com. http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/pujolal01.shtml. 
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 "Pujols named TYIB's Hitter of the Year: Slugger adds honor to list that also includes NL MVP, Clemente". MLB.com. 2008-12-15. http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081213&content_id=3716757&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. Retrieved 2008-12-15. 
  35. ↑ "Pujols won't participate in Classic: Slugger unable to get insurance for surgically repaired elbow". MLB.com. 2009-02-16. http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090216&content_id=3836070&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. Retrieved 2009-03-02. 
  36. ↑ Showdown sweep: Cards finish Cubs; Wainwright nearly posts CG; Pujols, Barden rip long balls MLB.com (May 22, 2009)
  37. ↑ "Trio of Cards heading to All-Star Game: Molina, Franklin first-timers; Pujols the top overall vote-getter". MLB.com. 2009-07-05. http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090705&content_id=5706802&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. Retrieved 2009-07-06. 
  38. ↑ "Pujols sets NL All-Star vote record". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 2009-07-06. http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/37710CD98FC0412D862575EB001420A7?OpenDocument. Retrieved 2009-07-07. 
  39. ↑ "Sporting News' MLB Athlete of the Decade: Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals". Sporting News. 2009-09-24. http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/article/2009-09-24/sporting-news-mlb-athlete-decade-albert-pujols-1b-cardinals. 
  40. ↑ "Pujols is TSN's Player of the Decade: Slugger topped a .300 average in each of his nine seasons". MLB.com. 2009-09-24. http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090924&content_id=7131546&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. 
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 "Sporting News names Albert Pujols 2009 Major League Baseball Player of the Year: Fellow players choose St. Louis Cardinals star first baseman for a second straight season". Sporting News. 2009-10-22. http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/article/2009-10-22/sporting-news-names-albert-pujols-2009-mlb-player-year. 
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 "Third time is charming for MVP Pujols: Cardinals slugger unanimous selection for NL honors". MLB.com. 2009-11-24. http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091115&content_id=7669452&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. 
  43. ↑ "Pujols' elbow surgery a 'success': Cardinals All-Star expected to make complete recovery". MLB.com. 2009-10-21. http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091021&content_id=7515056&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. Retrieved 2009-10-22. 
  44. ↑ Brian Walton (2009-10-20). "Pujols Elbow Surgery Wednesday". Scout.com. http://stlcardinals.scout.com/2/911286.html. 
  45. ↑ "Pujols solves Rodriguez, surpasses Mathews". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 2010-04-12. http://interact.stltoday.com/blogzone/commishs-hot-stove/commishs-hot-stove/cardinal-beat-updates/2010/04/pujols-solves-rodriguez-surpasses-mathews. Retrieved 2010-04-13. 
  46. ↑ "Pujols homers twice as Cardinals romp: Slugger drives in five; Wainwright throws 6 1/3 shutout innings". MLB.com. 2010-06-30. http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100629&content_id=11726378&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. Retrieved 2010-07-02. 
  47. ↑ Pujols hits 30th homer to extend own record: Cards slugger reaches mark for 10th time in as many years
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 Hudson, Pujols tops in NL for August (Sept. 2, 2010)
  49. ↑ "St. Louis Cardinals GAME NOTES ('400 Home Runs')" (PDF). MLB.com. August 27, 2010. p. 1. http://pp.soundenterprises.net/DBDocs/77/129/3700_2249.pdf. Retrieved September 5, 2010. 
  50. ↑ Pujols belts career home run No. 400
  51. ↑ Strauss, Joe (2010-02-12). "Pujols Five Becomes Pujols Six". http://www.stltoday.com: St. Louis Post-Dispatch. http://interact.stltoday.com/blogzone/commishs-hot-stove/commishs-hot-stove/cardinal-beat-updates/2010/02/pujols-five-becomes-pujols-six/. Retrieved 2010-02-19. 
  52. ↑ "Pujols Swings, and it's a grand...opening". St. Louis Post Dispatch. http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/entertainment/stories.nsf/dining/story/A7C63E16936FE2DE862571D900734BBE?OpenDocument. Retrieved 2006-09-02. 
  53. ↑ Enrique Rojas (2006-10-23). "Pujols is godfather to Polanco's son". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2006/columns/story?id=2635875. 
  54. ↑ Leach, Matthew (2007-02-08). "Pujols officially becomes U.S. citizen". MLB.com. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070208&content_id=1798239&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb. 
  55. ↑ AP (2007). "Pujols officially becomes U.S. citizen". Daily Vidette online. http://media.www.dailyvidette.com/media/storage/paper420/news/2007/02/09/Sports/Pujols.Officially.Becomes.U.s.Citizen-2708450.shtml. 
  56. ↑ "Pujols joins St. Louis' push for MLS expansion club". Sporting News. 2008-11-18. http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=487870. Retrieved 2008-11-20. 
  57. ↑ "About Our Faith". Pujols Family Foundation. http://www.pujolsfamilyfoundation.org/faith.htm. Retrieved 2006-08-10. 
  58. ↑ La Russa, Pujols will appear at Washington rally
  59. ↑ Glenn Beck rally: Albert Pujols, Tony La Russa scheduled to appear
  60. ↑ C-SPAN live broadcast of rally, 8/28/2010
  61. ↑ "Mission Statement". Pujols Family Foundation. http://www.pujolsfamilyfoundation.org/foundation.htm. Retrieved 2006-08-10. 
  62. ↑ http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080908&content_id=3439416&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl Pujols' golf event
  63. ↑ "Medical center to bear Pujols' name: Slugger has been an advocate for Down syndrome patients". MLB.com. 2009-08-27. http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090827&content_id=6645428&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. 
  64. ↑ "Pujols helps launch Down syndrome center in Chesterfield". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 2009-11-19. http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/3BBE2A694A534AA8862576730017C3E7?OpenDocument. 
  65. ↑ Photo Gallery, 11 photos
  66. ↑ "Hoffpauir follows Pujols' lead for Cards: Second baseman wins it after slugger's 350th homer in eighth". MLB.com. 2009-07-04. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090703&content_id=5673816&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. Retrieved 2009-08-18. 
  67. ↑ "Pujols’ 5,000 At-Bats into History". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 2009-08-21. http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/bird-land/bird-land/2009/08/dgs-1010-pujols-5000-at-bats-into-history. Retrieved 2009-08-23. 
  68. ↑ "Pujols' heroics give Cards walk-off win: Greene's game-tying home run sets up slugger's big blow". MLB.com. 2009-08-29. http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090828&content_id=6665260&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. 
  69. ↑ Rick Hummel (2009-09-20). "Pujols ties Bottomley for No. 3 in RBI". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/commishs-hot-stove/commishs-hot-stove/cardinal-beat-updates/2009/09/pujols-ties-bottomley-for-no-3-in-rbi. Retrieved 2009-09-21. 
  70. ↑ "Pujols sets first baseman assist mark: St. Louis slugger passes Buckner for all-time record". MLB.com. 2009-10-04. http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091004&content_id=7321448&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. 
  71. ↑ "Pujols sets NL assists mark at first base: Cardinals slugger breaks season record with 181st in eighth". MLB.com. 2009-09-27. http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090927&content_id=7199938&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. 
  72. ↑ "Pujols making his mark on MLB history: Clearly the player of his era, slugger just focuses on winning". MLB.com. 2009-09-24. http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090924&content_id=7130304&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. 
  73. ↑ Pujols rakes in fifth Silver Slugger: Cards bopper represents NL at first base for third time (MLB.com), 11/12/09
  74. ↑ Fielding Bible Award (Oct. 30, 2009)
  75. ↑ Pujols wins peers vote as NL's Outstanding Player ('St. Louis Post-Dispatch'), 10/29/09
  76. ↑ "Pujols wins ESPY for Best Baseball Player: Slugger beats out Halladay, Howard, Pedroia, K-Rod". MLB.com. 2009-07-20. http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090719&content_id=5952492&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. 
  77. ↑ "Pujols given top honor by his peers: Slugger named Player of the Year by Players Association". MLB.com. 2009-10-30. http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091030&content_id=7582004&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. 
  78. ↑ "Pujols wins Player of the Year award from MLBPA". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 2009-10-30. http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/commishs-hot-stove/commishs-hot-stove/cardinal-beat-updates/2009/10/pujols-wins-player-of-the-year-award-from-peers. 
  79. ↑ "Aaron Award is latest hardware for Pujols: Cardinals MVP candidate already earned Players Choice nod". MLB.com. 2009-11-01. http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091101&content_id=7594950&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. 
  80. ↑ Pujols Wins Clemente Award: Cardinals' first baseman honored for play, off-field efforts
  81. ↑ Pujols voted Clutch Performer for April: Cardinals slugger gets off to fast start with timely hitting May 11, 2010

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