MVP in 2003!

Albert Pujols 

of the 

St. Louis Cardinals

2001 National League Rookie of the Year. . . on pace to be one of the game's best!

Background - 

    Jose Albert Pujols was born on January 16, 1980, in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.  He moved to the United States at the age of 16 and began going to school in Missouri.  While there, he raked in many honors and awards for his outstanding talents on the baseball diamond.  After a accolade filled high school career, Pujols went on to play college baseball at Maple Woods Community College.  He was then selected in the Major League amateur baseball draft.  This is where things get interesting.

    Instead of taking the hard road through the minor leagues, Pujols took off on a different course.  Most professional baseball players spend what seems like an eternity toiling in the minor leagues, developing in hopes that they might get the call-up one day to play in the big leagues.  Albert started his minor league career with the single-A minor league team.  After an impressive rookie league start, Pujols was invited to the 2001 Spring Training.  This is sometimes routine for minor-leaguers to be invited.  The teams usually want to see if there might be some young talent that could actually help the team.  Well, St. Louis hit the jackpot.  After one year of minor league ball, Albert Pujols tore into the majors and has not looked back since.  

    It seems as if sometimes there are great players who have successful first years and then hit the notorious "Sophomore Slump".  This was not the case for this 23 year-old phenomenon.  It is tempting to call him a rookie because of his age, but his offensive skills show the signs of a polished, veteran hitter.  His defense is improving daily, but he shows the poise needed for a person who is called upon to fill many roles in the field.  The 'V' in MVP shouldn't just stand for valuable, it should also represent versatile, which is what Albert Pujols is for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Stats -

   These stats are for the current season and are up-to-date from the last game played on August 3, 2003.

Through the 111 games the Cardinals have played this season, Pujols has played in all but one.  Here are his marks and his projected marks for the entire season:

RIGHT NOW                                                                PROJECTED

At Bats:  414                                                                    604

Hits:  154                                                                         225

Runs:  99                                                                         144

Doubles:  38                                                                    55

Home Runs:  30                                                               14

RBI's:  99                                                                        144

Walks:  49                                                                      72

Strike Outs:  39                                                               57

Stolen Bases:  2                                                               3

Batting Average:  .372                                                    .372

On Base Percentage:  .441                                              .441

Slugging Percentage:  .681                                               .681

What others are saying. . . -

• Tony La Russa, Manager of the St. Louis Cardinals

            "He is the best player I have ever coached."

• Peter Gammons, ESPN baseball analyst on the best hitter in baseball today

            "Albert Pujols, Albert Pujols, Alber Pujols!"

• Barry Bonds, left-fielder for the San Francisco Giants, on the comparison between he an Pujols as power hitters

            "He has unbelievable power and discipline for being so young. . .he is one of the top players in the game."

Highlights -

    Albert Pujols is currently chasing the Major League Triple Crown Award.  This award is given to a player who finishes first among his peers in Home Runs, Batting Average, and RBI's.  This feat is one of the toughest in baseball to accomplish.  He ranks currently at or near the top in the categories necessary to win the crown.  

He will soon become one of only two players to start his first three years with 100 RBI's and 30 home runs.  

Here is a list of some of the other accomplishments he has gathered.

• 2001 National League Rookie of the Year

• 2-time All-Star Selection

• 2003 leading vote getter in All-Star Balloting

• 4th in 2001 & 2nd in 2002 National League MVP voting

• 2nd in 2003 Home Run Derby

• numerous awards for Player of the Month

Are there any questions? -

   The name Pujols already strikes fear in the heart of opposing pitchers everywhere.  It seems as if this guy is impossible to get out.  But not only does Pujols put up impressive offensive numbers, he has great agility to play most any position asked of him.  Without Albert Pujols, the Cardinals would suffer.  This young leader provides so much spark and inspiration to a team that has otherwise seen its share of ups and downs.  He has remained a staple in the field and at the plate, rarely receiving much time off.  He is an exemplary player and one that embodies every sense of the meaning of  MOST  VALUABLE   PLAYER.