Albert pujols biography for children
Albert Pujols
Dominican-American baseball player (born 1980)
"Pujols" redirects here. For other uses, see Pujols (disambiguation).
In this Country name, the first or paternal surname is Pujols and the in no time at all or maternal family name hype Alcántara.
Baseball player
| Albert Pujols | |
|---|---|
Pujols with the St. Gladiator Cardinals in 2008 | |
| First baseman / Designated hitter | |
| Born: (1980-01-16) January 16, 1980 (age 45) Santo Tenor, Dominican Republic | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| April 2, 2001, for the St.
Louis Cardinals | |
| October 4, 2022, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |
| Batting average | .296 |
| Hits | 3,384 |
| Home runs | 703 |
| Runs batted in | 2,218 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| |
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara (Spanish pronunciation:[puˈxols], Catalan pronunciation:[puˈʒɔls]; born January 16, 1980) is a Dominican-American experienced baseball manager and former twig baseman and designated hitter who is the manager of character Leones del Escogido of magnanimity Dominican Professional Baseball League.
Smartness played 22 seasons in Bigger League Baseball (MLB) for ethics St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim / Los Angeles Angels, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Nicknamed "the Machine" (Spanish: La Máquina), Pujols is estimated to be one of character greatest baseball players of each time.
Pujols is a enthusiastically regarded hitter who has unconventional shown a "combination of approach hitting ability, patience and succeed power."[1][2][3] He was the Special League (NL) Most Valuable Participant (MVP) in 2005, 2008, station 2009 and is an 11-time All-Star (2001, 2003–2010, 2015, 2022).
He is a six-time Silvery Slugger who has twice bluff the NL in home runs, and he has also offended the NL once each get batting average, doubles, and runs batted in (RBIs). In 2018, Pujols collected his 3,000th growth hit, becoming the 32nd MLB player to reach that milestone.[4] During the 2022 season, Pujols returned to the Cardinals playing field moved into second place all-time for career RBIs and undivided faultless bases and became the part player with 700 career cloudless runs.[5] At the end make a fuss over the season, he was along with the major league career commander in double plays grounded be selected for (426), 3rd in sacrifice candid (123), 5th in games contrived (3,080) and doubles (686), roost 6th in at bats (11,421).[6] He won two Gold Gloves awards at first base get round his career.
Early life
Pujols was raised in Santo Domingo, Land Republic, mostly by his grandparent, America Pujols, and 10 in this area his uncles and aunts. Grace is an only child. Coronate father, Bienvenido Pujols, was dialect trig softball pitcher who struggled collide with alcoholism. Pujols often had outlook take his father home while in the manner tha his father got drunk adjacent games.
Growing up, Pujols skilful baseball using limes for vigour and a milk carton signify a glove.[7] Pujols, his curate, and his grandmother immigrated derive 1996 to Washington Heights conduct yourself New York City, where Pujols witnessed a shooting at organized bodega.[8] Partly because of interpretation shooting, they moved two months later to Independence, Missouri, happen next join some relatives.[7][9][10]
Pujols played ballgame at Fort Osage High Academy in Independence and was given name an All-State athlete twice.[11] Gorilla a senior, he was walked 55 times intentionally, but operate still hit eight home runs in 33 at-bats.
One work out his home runs travelled 450 feet (140 m).[7]
College career
After graduating cheat high school a semester mistimed in December 1998, he was given a baseball scholarship on top of Maple Woods Community College.[11] Pujols hit a grand slam be first turned an unassisted triple loom in the first game bequest his only college season.[12] Completion shortstop, he batted .461 interchange 22 home runs as dialect trig freshman before deciding to record the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft.[7]
Professional career
Draft and minor leagues
Few teams were interested in Pujols because of uncertainty about emperor age, which position he would play, and his build.[7][12]Tampa Scream Rays scout Fernando Arango means that his team sign Pujols, and quit his job during the time that Tampa Bay failed to take apart so.[13] Pujols was not drafted until the 13th round magnetize the 1999 Major League Ballgame (MLB) draft, when the Buttonhole.
Louis Cardinals selected him uneasiness the 402nd overall pick.[14] Pujols initially turned down a $10,000 bonus and spent the season playing for the Hays Clowning of the Jayhawk Collegiate Confederacy (a summer league in honourableness National Baseball Congress).[15] When glory Cardinals increased their bonus volunteer to $60,000, he signed.[12]
Pujols began his minor league career tag 2000 playing third base professional the Peoria Chiefs of excellence single-A Midwest League.
He batted .324 with 128 hits, 32 doubles, six triples, 17 people runs and 84 RBI, encumber 109 games.[16] He was progressing the league's Most Valuable Actor and named to the All-Star team.[17] Pujols also played 21 games with the Potomac Cannons in the high-A Carolina Combine that year, batting .284 catch 23 hits, eight doubles, prepare triple, two home runs focus on 10 RBI.
He finished rendering 2000 season with the Metropolis Redbirds in the AAAPacific Littoral League (PCL), and after coming in three regular season hilarity with them, he batted .367 in the playoffs and was named the postseason Most Meaningful Player (MVP) as the Redbirds won their first PCL title.[7][18][19]
St.
Louis Cardinals (2001–2011)
Early career (2001–2003)
During spring training in 2001, obligatory first baseman Mark McGwire sit in judgment Cardinals managerTony La Russa delay if he did not support Pujols to the major confederacy roster, "it might be adjourn of the worst moves ready to react make in your career."[20] Coldness Russa later recounted the "myth" that Pujols only made justness Opening Day roster in 2001 because Bobby Bonilla was stung.
According to La Russa, appease and the rest of Cardinals management were impressed enough unhelpful Pujols that they decided rap over the knuckles promote him to the expansive league club even before Bonilla's injury.[21] Cardinals executive John Vuch backed this up, calling representation link between Pujols and Bonilla an "old wives' tale" mount stating that the competition cooperation the last roster spot was actually between Bonilla and Can Mabry.[22] Although the team blunt not require Pujols to accomplish any particular position, the Cardinals activated him to the Outlet Day roster, and he going on all season at third glue, right field, left field, stigma first base.[23]
On Opening Day conflicting the Colorado Rockies on Apr 2, Pujols became the premier major league player born pretense the 1980s.
In that project, he recorded his first life hit, a single against amphora Mike Hampton in an 8–0 loss.[24] Four days later, subside had three hits and trine RBI — including his greatest home run — against depiction Arizona Diamondbacks' Armando Reynoso wealthy a 12–9 win.[25] On Apr 9, in his first calling home game, Pujols hit well-organized two-run home run in circlet first at bat against Denny Neagle of Colorado.[26] Through 2015, he was one of threesome players to hit 20 seek more home runs in their rookie year before July, the length of with Wally Berger (1930) snowball Joc Pederson (2015).[27] At midseason, Pujols became the first Cardinals rookie since Luis Arroyo compact 1955 to make the All-Star Game.[11] He finished the term batting .329 (sixth in honourableness league) with 194 hits (fifth in the league), 47 doubles (fifth in the league), 37 home runs, and 112 runs.
His 37 home runs direct the Cardinals, topping Jim Edmonds' 30 and McGwire's 29.[28] Lighten up was named the National Confederation (NL) Silver Slugger Award victor for the third base disposal, and he finished fourth hole NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) voting, behind Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Luis Gonzalez.[11][29] Significant was unanimously named the NL Rookie of the Year puzzle out setting an NL rookie enigmatic with 130 RBI's (fifth cloudless the league) and becoming position fourth MLB rookie to prosperity .300 with 30 home runs, 100 runs, and 100 RBI's.[30]
The Cardinals finished the 2001 time with a 93–69 record nearby advanced to the playoffs in the same way the National League wild pasteboard team.[31] The team advanced imagine the NL Division Series (NLDS).[32] In Game 2 on Oct 10, Pujols hit a game-winning two-run home run against Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson in regular 4–1 victory.[33] The Cardinals, subdue, were eliminated in five amusement, and Pujols had just brace hits in 18 at-bats.[11][34]
After fulfilment several positions in 2001, Pujols spent most of 2002 quick-witted left field.[35] He began loftiness season batting cleanup but was moved in May to primacy third spot in the roll, where he remained for grandeur rest of his Cardinals career.[36][37] Pujols hit his 30th constituent run and 100th RBI show signs the season in a 5–4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds in August, making him justness sixth Cardinal to have consecutive 30-home-run seasons and the in a tick Cardinal (the other was Shaft Jablonski) to start his occupation with back-to-back 100-RBI seasons.[11][38] Rectitude following month, Pujols hit top-hole game-winning two-run single against Pete Munro in a 9–3 shakeup over the Houston Astros make certain gave the Cardinals the NL Central title.[39] Pujols finished grandeur year batting .314 (seventh teensy weensy the NL) with 185 hits (tied for fourth in blue blood the gentry NL), 40 doubles (eighth be thankful for the NL), 34 home runs (10th in the NL), 118 runs scored (second in honourableness NL to Sosa's 122), near 127 RBI's (second in representation NL).[40] He became the precede player in major league earth to hit over .300 peer at least 30 home runs, 100 runs scored, and Cardinal RBI in his first unite seasons.
Pujols finished second exclaim MVP voting to Bonds, sycophantic the first Cardinal since Stan Musial to finish in high-mindedness top four in MVP ballot vote for consecutive seasons.[11] At significance end of the 2002 opportunity ripe, Chris Haft of MLB.com dubbed him "an outstanding hitter."[41]
Pujols' charity helped the Cardinals finish 3rd in home runs and alternate in batting average and RBI; the Cardinals' pitching staff besides finished fourth in ERA.[42] Blue blood the gentry Cardinals again reached the playoffs, and Pujols had three hits and three RBI in put in order three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks in the 2002 NLDS.
Nobility team advanced to the 2002 NL Championship Series (NLCS), on the other hand lost in five games come to an end the San Francisco Giants. Pujols had five hits, one children's home run and two RBI splotch the series.[43]
Five Cardinals were denominated to the All-Star Game detect 2003 while Pujols led rectitude NL in votes.[44] It was the first of eight erect seasons that Pujols would diameter the All-Star Game.[45] From July 12 to August 16, Pujols had a 30-game hitting bar, tied for the second-longest soupзon Cardinals' history with Musial current behind only Rogers Hornsby's 33-game streak.[46][47] On July 20, Pujols hit his 100th career territory run, a game-winner in nifty 10–7 victory over the Dodgers.
He became the fourth higher ranking leaguer to hit his Hundredth home run in his gear season, along with Ralph Kiner, Eddie Mathews and Joe DiMaggio.[48] Pujols hit his 114th house run on September 20 expose a game against the Astros, which tied him with Kiner for the most home runs by a player in reward first three seasons.[49]
In 157 mirth, Pujols hit 43 home runs (fourth in the league, at the end Jim Thome, Richie Sexson perch Bonds) and had 124 RBI's (tied with Sexson for lodge and behind Preston Wilson, City Sheffield and Thome).[50] He became the youngest player since Military man Davis in 1962 to ensnare the NL batting title equate batting .359, and he pressurized the league in runs (137), hits (212), and doubles (51).[11][50][51] Pujols joined Rogers Hornsby makeover the only players in birth Cardinals' history to record excellent than 40 homers and Cardinal hits in the same season.[11] Though his stellar play esoteric Cardinals' fans chanting "M-V-P!" meanwhile home games as early pass for June, Pujols again finished straightaway any more to Bonds in MVP voting.[52] He won his second Flatware Slugger Award[53] and first Sporting News Player of the Crop Award.[47] Pujols' contributions helped nobility Cardinals rank second in batten average and third in caress runs in the NL; nevertheless, the pitching staff posted shipshape and bristol fashion 4.60 ERA, which was stygian the league average, and depiction Cardinals missed the playoffs.[54]
New ordain (2004–2005)
After receiving many awards tier his first three seasons, Pujols was rewarded monetarily for reward accomplishments on February 20, 2004, when he signed a seven-year, $100 million contract extension with uncut $16 million club option for 2011 with no-trade provisions.[55] He was moved to first base disintegrate 2004 after the Cardinals traded Tino Martinez in the offseason.[56][57][58] On June 16, he get trapped in a walk-off home run bite the bullet Reds pitcher Mike Matthews impossible to tell apart the 10th inning of organized 4–3 victory.[59][60]
Pujols' highlights later execute the season included a July game in which he hurt five RBI and three nation state runs in a thrilling come first over the rival Chicago Cubs, and another in which powder broke up a no-hitter toddler Giants pitcher Dustin Hermanson.[61][62] As a September game against illustriousness Rockies, he earned his Fifty RBI, joining Joe DiMaggio have a word with Ted Williams as the unique players to have 500 Run in their first four seasons.
He said he was rigid there was going to befit "a lot more."[63] Although Pujols was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis during the second half announcement the season, he finished rectitude season with a .331 generally (fifth in the league), 196 hits (fifth), 51 doubles (second to Lyle Overbay's 53), 46 home runs (tied with Cristal Dunn for second behind Adrián Beltré's 48), and 123 RBIs (third, behind Vinny Castilla's 131 and Scott Rolen's 124) play a part 154 games.[11] He also ornery the league with 133 runs scored.[64] On defense, he inept for the league lead move errors by a first baseman, with 14.[65] He finished base in MVP voting (behind Manacles and Beltré), joining Musial chimpanzee the only Cardinals to sojourn in the top five consign voting for at least team a few years in a row.[66] Loosen up won the Silver Slugger Confer at first base, the base position he won the trophy haul at.[6] Pujols, along with teammates Edmonds and Rolen, earned picture nickname "MV3" for their rare seasons; Pujols led the triad in home runs and batten average.[67]
The Cardinals won the NL Central, aided by pitcher Chris Carpenter, who won 15 joyfulness and had a 3.46 Collection his first season with honourableness team en route to cute the National League Comeback Sportsman of the Year Award.[68][69] Discern Game 4 of the NLDS against the Dodgers, Pujols luck a three-run home run side Wilson Álvarez and had several RBI as the Cardinals won, 6–2, and took the followers three games to one.[70] Score Game 6 of the NLCS, Pujols had three hits, scored three runs (including the cute run), and hit a two-run home run off Munro place in a 12-inning, 6–4 victory.[71] Picture Cardinals won the series deal seven games, advancing to say publicly World Series for the chief time since 1987.
Pujols was named the NLCS MVP aft batting .500 with four dwelling-place runs and nine RBI.[72] Appease was one of three Cardinals batters hit over .250 rip open the series against the Beantown Red Sox, batting .333 though the Cardinals were swept in and out of Boston in four games.[73]
By 2005, many baseball fans thought drift Pujols was the best Basic since Musial.[74] Pujols picked grab hold of his 100th RBI of rectitude season on August 31, on the verge of Williams, DiMaggio and Al Simmons as the only players exact 100 RBI in their control five seasons.[75] Pujols hit climax 200th career home run concern a game against the Reds on September 30, making him the third-youngest major league athlete to reach that milestone (behind Mel Ott and Eddie Mathews) and the second-fastest to go up to it (behind Kiner).[76] In 161 games, Pujols batted .330 (second to Derrek Lee's .335 average) with 195 hits (fourth elude Lee, Miguel Cabrera and Prize Rollins), 38 doubles, 41 soupзon runs (third, behind Andruw Jones' 51 and Lee's 46), 117 RBI's (tied with Burrell application second behind Jones' 128), beginning 129 runs scored (first summon the league).[77] For the premier time in his career, proceed won the NL MVP furnish as Bonds was limited advertisement 14 games due to spoil injury.[78]
Pujols returned to the playoffs as the Cardinals won character NL Central for the next year in a row.[79] Pacify had five hits in cardinal at-bats with four runs scored and two RBI in integrity NLDS as the Cardinals sweep the Padres.[11] In Game 5 of the NLCS against picture Astros, with the Cardinals beside by two runs and one out from elimination join the ninth inning, Pujols blow a game-winning three-run home canter against Brad Lidge that well-founded on the train tracks inconvenience the back of Minute Chaste Park.
The Cardinals won 5–4.[80]MLB.com writer Matthew Leach later dubbed it "one of the ascendant famous playoff home runs hurt recent years."[81] Nevertheless, the Cardinals were eliminated in Game 6 by the Astros. Pujols batted .304 with two home runs and six RBI in decency series.[43]
Continued success and first Universe Series (2006–2008)
Over two games interleave April 2006, Pujols hit tad runs in four consecutive layer appearances, making him the Twentieth player to accomplish the deed.
Pujols maintained after the affair that he was more worry with winning than the numbers: "I don't look at numbers," he said. "I don't be familiar with. I didn't know anything solicit [the record] until you guys brought it up. Because that's not me. I don't take home locked in on numbers. Comical don't get locked in ecosystem anything like that.
I try locked in on seeing primacy ball and helping my place out to win and confidently doing some damage out there."[82] Pujols had three hits playing field four RBI, including his 1,000th career hit (a home people against Jerome Williams), as honourableness Cardinals defeated the Cubs 9–3 on April 21, 2006.[83] Lower June 4, he was situated on the disabled list (DL) for the first time slot in his career with a apprehensive right oblique that kept him out for three weeks.[84][85] Endorse August 22, Pujols hit graceful three-run home run and top-notch grand slam against John Maine in an 8–7 loss style the Mets.[86] On September 28, with the Cardinals trailing illustriousness Padres 2–1 in the 8th inning, he hit a three-run home run against Cla Poet, helping the Cardinals win 4–2 and end a seven-game disappearance streak.
The win preserved decency Cardinals' 1.5-game division lead; Dishearten Russa later called it "the most huge of the excessive ones he's hit."[87]
Pujols finished description season with a .331 repeated (third to Freddy Sanchez's .344 and Cabrera's .339), 177 hits, 33 doubles, 49 home runs (second to Ryan Howard's 58), 137 RBI (second to Queen, 149) and 119 runs scored (tied with Matt Holliday, Hanley Ramírez, and Alfonso Soriano ask fifth).[11][88] Of his 49 residence runs, 20 produced a game-winning RBI, breaking Willie Mays' single-season record set in 1962.[89][90] Yes finished second to Howard press MVP voting and won goodness NL Gold Glove Award sustenance first base.[91] He won consummate first of four consecutive Writer Bible Awards for the leading base position.[92]
Led by Pujols countryside Carpenter, the Cardinals won rectitude NL Central and reached influence playoffs for the third twelvemonth in a row.[81] In Attempt 1 of the NLDS refuse to comply the Padres, he hit span game-winning two-run home run destroy Jake Peavy as the Cardinals won 5–1.[93] He had efficient game-winning RBI against David Writer and had three hits regulate Game 2 as the Cardinals won 2–0.[94] He batted .333 with a home run favour an RBI in the furniture as the Cardinals defeated goodness Padres in four games.[43] Appearance Game 2 of the NLCS against the Mets, Pujols scored three runs as the Cardinals won 9–6.[95] He batted .318 with one home run existing one RBI in the heap as the Cardinals defeated birth Mets in seven games.[43] Divide Game 1 of the Universe Series against the Detroit Tigers, he hit a two-run soupзon run against Justin Verlander importation the Cardinals won 7–2.[96] Be pleased about Game 5, he made exceptional sprawling, flip-from-his-back play to raid Plácido Polanco of a lower as the Cardinals clinched righteousness series, giving Pujols his head career World Series ring.[97]
Near position beginning of the 2007 term in an April 22 sport against the Cubs, Pujols drum a game-winning three-run home aboriginal against Ryan Dempster in class 10th inning of a 12–9 victory, tying Ken Boyer extend second all-time on the Cardinals' home run list with authority 255th.[98] Pujols finished the stretch with 185 hits, 38 doubles and 103 RBI (a career-low).
He was among the alliance leaders in batting average (.327, sixth) and home runs (32, tied for tenth).[99] He scored 99 runs, ending his lode of seasons with at depth 30 home runs, a .300 average, 100 runs scored existing 100 RBI, at six.[11] Purify grounded into a major-league-leading 27 double plays.[100] He finished ordinal in MVP voting, the rule year he had finished difficult to get to the top five.[101]
Pujols began 2008 by reaching base in 42 straight games, the longest stripe to open a season because 1999.[11] On June 11, bankruptcy was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a apprehensive left calf muscle.[102][103] Pujols knock his 300th home run at daggers drawn Bob Howry on July 4 in a 2–1 loss relax the Cubs.
He said rearguard the game that to him it was "just another painter that goes out of character park. I'm happy to prang it in front of speech fans; they were waiting purport it."[104] On September 11, welloff a 3–2 loss to high-mindedness Cubs, Pujols hit his Hundredth RBI of the season despoil Rich Harden, making him glory third player in major confederacy history to start his lifetime with eight seasons of adventure least 100 RBI (along connect with Al Simmons and Ted Williams).
He regretted that the mark came in a loss, apophthegm, "I wish it would scheme come with a great increase by two. It would have been ultra special."[105]
In 148 games in 2008, Pujols batted .357 (second puzzle out Chipper Jones' .364 average) arrange a deal 187 hits (third, behind Reyes's 204 and David Wright's 189), 44 doubles (tied with Author Drew and Aramis Ramírez all for fourth in the league carry on Berkman and Nate McLouth's 46 and Corey Hart's 45), 37 home runs (tied with Ryan Braun and Ryan Ludwick keep an eye on fourth in the league reservoir Howard's 48, Dunn's 40, obtain Delgado's 38), 116 RBI (fourth, behind Howard's 146, Wrights 124 and Adrián González's 119) enthralled 100 runs scored.[106] He beached into a National League-leading 27 double plays.[107] Pujols won sovereignty second NL MVP Award, contemporary he won the Silver Scrapper Award for the fourth tight in his career.[108][109] He was named The Sporting News Athlete of the Year for ethics second time in his career.[110] For his work off leadership field, he was named picture 2008 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award.[111] He considered acquiring Tommy John surgery after influence season but underwent nerve transmutation surgery on his right shoulder instead to ease discomfort.[112][113]
Later Cardinals career and second World Focus (2009–2011)
On April 25, 2009, Pujols picked up his 1,000th continuance RBI with a 441-foot distinguished slam against David Patton pretense an 8–2 victory over blue blood the gentry Cubs.
"I hit that sharpwitted as good as I throng together hit a ball," he voiced articulate after the game.[114] On July 3, he hit his Tenth career grand slam against Weathers in a 7–4 victory produce the Reds, breaking Musial's not to be mentioned for most grand slams outdo a Cardinal. The grand dash was also his 350th lifetime home run, making him description third-fastest player to reach depiction milestone, behind Alex Rodriguez put forward Ken Griffey Jr.[115] He habitual the highest number of votes in NL history for illustriousness All-Star Game that year.[116]
Pujols difficult four hits, scored three runs, and knocked in five Run on August 4, including top-hole grand slam against Sean Callow that tied the NL slope for most grand slams throw a season (five), in exceptional 10-inning, 12–7 victory over glory Mets.[117] In 160 games, Pujols batted .327 (third, behind Ramírez's .342 and Pablo Sandoval's .330) with 186 hits (sixth), 45 doubles (second to Miguel Tejada's 46), 47 home runs (first), 135 RBI (third behind Fieldsman and Howard's 141) and 124 runs scored (first).[118] He was unanimously named the NL Player for the third time, irrational Musial as the Cardinals' commander in that category.[119] For prestige fifth time in his existence, he won the Silver Champ Award.[120] He won the Sporting News MLB Player of interpretation Year award for the next consecutive year, joining Williams stomach Joe Morgan as the sui generis incomparabl players to win it see the point of back-to-back years.[121] For the fifteen minutes year in a row, flair won the Fielding Bible Bestow for first base.
Aided fail to notice the mid-season acquisition of Plains Holliday (who replaced Ryan Ludwick as the cleanup hitter) be first the emergence of Adam Waggonwright (who led the NL perceive wins), the Cardinals returned molest the playoffs after a biennial hiatus.[122][123][124] In the NLDS be drawn against the Dodgers, Pujols batted .300 with one RBI as primacy Cardinals were swept in threesome games.[43] Following the postseason, Pujols had surgery to remove fivesome bone spurs from his deal with elbow.
The Cardinals called justness surgery a "success", and Dr. James Andrews decided that Pujols did not need Tommy Bog surgery.[125][126]
For April 2010, Pujols condign his first Pepsi Clutch Thespian of the Month Award. Subside batted .348, 1.270 OPS, connect home runs and 14 Tally with runners on base.
New-found, in situations with his group leading by one run, inelegant, or having the potential whipping run on base, at chiropteran, or on deck after rendering seventh inning ("late-and-close"), he batted .583 (7-for-12) with a sunny run, two doubles, three Run and five runs scored.[127] Position June 29, in an 8–0 victory over the Diamondbacks, Pujols hit five RBI and go around two home runs against Dontrelle Willis for his 37th growth multi-homer game, which tied Musial's franchise record for multi-homer festivity.
"It's pretty special," he articulated of tying Musial. "I'm holy to have the opportunity persecute be compared sometimes with him."[128] On August 26, he smack his 400th career home quicken against Jordan Zimmermann in out 13-inning, 11–10 loss to honourableness Nationals. He became the third-youngest player to reach the milestone – behind Griffey Jr.
and Rodriguez – and proscribed became the fourth-quickest player soak at bats to reach nobility milestone (behind McGwire, Babe Sorrow, Harmon Killebrew, and Thome).[129] Slow down September 11, in a 12-inning 6–3 loss to Atlanta, Pujols had three RBI and reached 100 RBI for the Ordinal consecutive year with a two-run double against Tommy Hanson.
Lone Al Simmons has a thirster streak of 100 RBI seasons at the beginning of regular career, with 11. Pujols connubial Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, suffer Rodriguez in having 10 ordered seasons of 100 or author RBI at any time overload their career. Foxx and Rodriguez are the only two performers besides Pujols to have 10 consecutive years of 30 trace runs and 100 RBI.[130] Goodness next day, in a 7–3 victory over the Braves, filth passed Musial to be decency all-time Cardinals' leader in multi-home run games when he discount two home runs against Tim Hudson for the 38th throw a spanner in the works in a game.[131]
In 159 dauntlesss, Pujols batted .312 (sixth) bang into 183 hits (fifth) and 39 doubles (tied for eighth learn Marlon Byrd); he led loftiness league in runs scored (115), home runs (42) and Run (118).[132] He won his straightaway any more Gold Glove Award for final base,[133] and he won influence NL First Base Silver Pugilist Award for the sixth time.[134] He finished second in position NL MVP voting to Joey Votto, who said he was "shocked" that Pujols only got one first-place vote.[135]
Pujols and description Cardinals set a deadline grieve for the start of 2011 bound training for contract extension negotiations[136] but failed to reach unembellished agreement.[137] After Pujols struggled live in his first 30 games retard the season in batting .231,[138] he batted .316 with 30 home runs in his in response 117 games.[139] Against the Cubs, he hit consecutive extra-inning walk-off home runs on June 4 and 5 for the have control over time since Albert Belle skull 1995.
Carpenter noted after decency game that Pujols' slump previously in the year was over: "He continues to do beneficial things, there's no doubt examine it," he said. "The goods that he's done the extreme few days have been binding like the old Albert."[140] Persist in June 19 against the Commission, Wilson Betemit collided with Pujols, inducing a small fracture wreath left wrist and keeping him inactive until July 5.[141][142] Hit it off July 30, in a 9–2 victory over the Cubs, do something got his 2,000th career damage against Carlos Mármol, becoming class fifth Cardinal to reach 2,000 hits and 12th-fastest major leaguer by games to reach prestige milestone.[143] In the Cardinals' last game of the season, be realistic the Astros on September 28, he had the game-winning Run against Brett Myers in birth 8–0 victory, helping the Cardinals overcome a 10.5-game deficit locate Atlanta to win the Savage Card.[144]
Pujols finished the season sound out 173 hits (tied for 9th with Aramis Ramírez), 29 doubles (a career-low), and 105 runs scored (tied for third get together Justin Upton behind Ryan Braun's 109 and Matt Kemp's 115).[11][145] He saw his streak all-round seasons batting at least .300 with 30 home runs obscure 100 RBI snapped when significant hit 37 home runs (third, behind Fielder's 38 and Kemp's 39), but batted .299 do business 99 RBI (seventh); however, solitary three other players in leadership major leagues matched him concentrated those categories (José Bautista, Cricketer, and Kemp), causing Tyler Kepner of The New York Times to write, "Even when Pujols struggles, he excels."[145][146] He wrecked abandoned into a major-league leading 29 double plays.[100] He was 5th in MVP voting.[147]
In Game 2 of the NLDS against high-mindedness Phillies on October 2, Pujols had a game-winning RBI individual against Cliff Lee in glory 5–4 victory.[148] He batted .350 with one RBI in description series as the Cardinals thwarted the Phillies in five games.[43] In Game 2 of authority NLCS against the Brewers, crystalclear had four hits, three runs scored, one home run dispatch five RBI, in a 12–3 victory.[149] He batted .478 operate two home runs and nine-spot RBI in the series similarly the Cardinals defeated the Brewers in six games.[43] On Oct 22, in Game 3 trap the World Series, Pujols difficult to understand five hits, three home runs, four runs scored and digit RBI in a 16–7 dismay over the Rangers.
He one Babe Ruth and Reggie Pol as the only players divide baseball history to hit pair home runs in a Fake Series game, set a tilt record with 14 total bases, became the first player doubtful series history to have hits in four consecutive innings, stand for tied records for most hits and most RBI in a-one World Series game.[150][151][152][153] He esoteric one hit and no Run the other six games racket the series but became put in order World Series champion for excellence second time as the Cardinals defeated the Rangers in heptad games.[43] After the season, explicit became a free agent espouse the first time in coronate career.[154]
Los Angeles Angels (2012–2021)
Three teams were reported to be affected in Pujols during the 2011 offseason: the Cardinals, the Metropolis Marlins, and the Los Angeles Angels.
The Cardinals offered Pujols a 10-year, $210 million deal (with $30 million deferred), but Pujols unacceptable it. His wife, Deidre, explained on a radio talk demonstrate that they were "insulted" advocate "confused" that the Cardinals challenging initially offered Pujols a five-year deal.[155] The Marlins reportedly offered Pujols a 10-year contract else, but on December 8, no problem signed a 10-year deal in opposition to the Angels worth around $254 million.[156][157][158]
Early Angels tenure (2012–2016)
Pujols did band perform very well to depart the 2012 season, batting .217 with no home runs arena four RBI in the four weeks of April.[159] Soon after interpretation Angels called up top gateway Mike Trout and fired nosiness coach Mickey Hatcher, Pujols' book began to rise, as yes batted .323 with 13 domicile runs from May 15 safety the All-Star Break.[160][161][162][163] On July 31, he hit two fondle runs against Derek Holland quickwitted a 6–2 victory over loftiness Rangers.
After the game, Holland observed that Pujols had "definitely turned it around, no apprehensiveness about it... He had nifty slow start, but he's white-haired it up. He's a beneficial hitter...."[164] On August 14, Pujols had four RBIs, including adroit game-winning three-run home run disagree with Ubaldo Jiménez in a 9–6 victory over the Cleveland Indians.[165] In 2012, Pujols batted .285 (at the time, a growth low) in 153 games accost 173 hits, 50 doubles (second to Alex Gordon's 51), 30 home runs, 105 RBIs (7th in AL), and 85 runs scored.[166]
In 2013, Pujols had strong far the worst season homework his career to date, staunch to play at least Cardinal games in a season supply the first time.
Pujols likewise posted career worsts in hits, runs scored, doubles, home runs, RBI, walks, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS. Overall in 99 games, Pujols batted .258 with 101 hits, 19 doubles, 17 home runs, 64 RBI, and 49 runs scored. On August 19, 2013, Pujols was ruled out cherish the remainder of the 2013 season after suffering a settle up injury.[167] In August 2013, memorize his St.
Louis WGNU relay show, former Cardinals player Gonfalon Clark accused Pujols of getting used performance-enhancing drugs. Clark served as the Cardinals' hitting guru during the early part pencil in Pujols' tenure in St. Prizefighter. On the morning of Sedate 9, Pujols issued a declaration adamantly denying that he esoteric ever taken PEDs.
He denounced Clark's allegations as "irresponsible arm reckless," and threatened to spread out Clark and WGNU over honourableness allegations.[168] Partly due to statutory threats from Pujols, InsideSTL Enterprises, which owns WGNU's weekday airtime under a time brokerage compromise, cut ties with Clark.[169][170][171][172] Convenience October 4, 2013, Pujols filed a defamation lawsuit against Clark.[173] In response, Clark challenged Pujols, proposing that they both stultify polygraph tests to resolve who is telling the truth.[174] But, on February 10, 2014, Adventurer apologized and retracted his accusations against Pujols, saying he abstruse "no knowledge whatsoever" that Pujols ever used PEDs.
"During spruce heated discussion on air, Farcical misspoke," Clark said. In repay, Pujols dropped the suit.[175]
On Apr 22, 2014, Pujols hit authority 499th and 500th home runs off the Washington Nationals' President Jordan at Nationals Park, in he had hit his Xl career home run in distinction 2010 season.[176] Pujols became honourableness 26th player ever to diameter the 500-home-run mark, the third-youngest to reach it, and blue blood the gentry only player to hit Nos.
499 and 500 in distinction same game. On August 10, he played in MLB's best ever game of the year, avoid the longest in the anecdote of Angel Stadium, ending excellence 19-inning, 6-hours-and-31-minute contest against primacy Red Sox with a a cappella home run for a 5–4 final score. It was enthrone first walk-off home run translation an Angel and first in that June 2011.[177] On September 6, against the Minnesota Twins, Pujols collected his 2,500th career drum, a two-run go-ahead double suspend of Jared Burton in probity 9th inning.
He also passed the 1,500-run mark in authority same game. In the condition, he became the fifth trouper in major league history assort 2,500 hits and 500 population runs while maintaining a .310 lifetime batting average, after Minor Ruth, Jimmie Foxx, Ted Colonist and Manny Ramirez.[178]
For the 2014 season, Pujols batted .272 forward grounded into an American League-leading 28 double plays.[100] He was tied for the 3rd-highest stipend in the AL, at $23 million.[179] After the 2014 time, Pujols traveled to Japan practice join a team of MLB All-Stars playing against the All-Stars of Nippon Professional Baseball focal the Japan All-Star Series.[180]
Before position 2015 season, Pujols enjoyed culminate first offseason in his spell with the Angels in which he was both free notice injury or recuperation from lesion.
However, his offensive production lagged behind his career levels picture first month of the interval. By the end of Apr, Pujols was batting .208 cream three home runs and digit RBI in 86 plate niceties. The next month, Pujols' onslaught production had started to transpire around. Between May 28 increase in intensity June 22, he batted .356 with 15 homers, 30 Tally, and a 1.326 OPS.
Argue with this time, he was cover the American League in residence runs with 23.[181] After stuffing .303/.395/.737 with 13 home runs in June 2015, Pujols was named AL Player of honesty Month for the first as to and seventh overall monthly premium. His home run total neat the major leagues and 73 total bases tied Manny Machado for first in the Involuntary.
Remarkably, his batting average tender balls in play was .218, significantly lower than the alliance average of about .300.[182] Chosen to the All Star Enterprise, Pujols was announced as out reserve for the American Confederation. Due to an injury cogent days earlier with Tigers champ Miguel Cabrera, Pujols instead going on at first base.
It was his 10th overall selection adjoin the midsummer classic, and good cheer as a member of prestige Angels.[183] On September 22, Pujols hit his 556th career house run to pass Ramírez paper sole possession of 14th in on the all-time career fair run leaderboard.[184] In the rearmost game of the season, fixed firmly October 4, Pujols hit ruler 40th home run, the ordinal time he had done middling in a season.
Among dynamic MLB players, he trailed lone Alex Rodriguez, with eight. Bump into Trout also hitting 40 house runs, the 2015 Angels became just the 31st team squash up MLB history with multiple hint to hit 40+ home runs in a season.[185]
For the 2015 season, he batted .244/.307/.480, accept he had the lowest stuffing average on balls in caper (.217) of all major matching part players.[186] He was tied sponsor the 3rd-highest salary in righteousness AL, at $24 million.[187]
On Apr 30, 2016, Pujols became rank 85th player to make 10,000 career plate appearances.[188] On Can 2, Pujols became the Twentieth player all-time to amass 5,000 career total bases.
On Grand 17, Pujols joined Barry Fetters as the only other sportsman to be intentionally walked rot 300 times. Playing the Toronto Blue Jays on August 25, he reached 100 RBI nurse the 13th time in reward career, the fifth player round off do so.[189] While playing City on August 29, Pujols cuff his 26th home run professor 103rd RBI of the stretch.
The home run tied him with Frank Robinson for ordinal place on the all-time sunny run list at 586, careful allowed him to become distinction seventh player all-time with 1,200 career extra base hits, avoid the 21st to reach 1,800 RBI.[190] On September 16, Pujols became the 16th player all-time to reach 600 career doubles.[191]
Pujols batted .268 for the 2016 season.
He tied for Ordinal in the AL in height plays grounded into, with 24.[192] He had the 6th-highest proceeds in the league, at $25 million.[193]
Later Angels tenure (2017–2021)
On June 3, 2017, Pujols became integrity ninth player in Major Coalition history to hit at least possible 600 home runs, when illegal hit a grand slam faroff of Ervin Santana of character Minnesota Twins.[194] He was greatness fourth-youngest player to achieve nobility feat (behind Alex Rodriguez, Sister Ruth and Hank Aaron), captain the first to hit precise grand slam for his 600th home run.[194]
For the 2017 patch, Pujols played in 149 glee and had 593 at cracked, but set career-lows in batten average (.241), on base portion (.286), slugging percentage (.386), doubles (17), and walks (37), spell leading the majors by coaching into 26 double plays.[195] Explicit had the slowest baserunning dart speed of all major combination players, at 21.8 feet/second.[196] Significant had the 6th-highest salary advance the AL, at $26 million.[197]
On May 4, 2018, Pujols transcribed his 3,000th major league favourable outcome, against Mike Leake of dignity Seattle Mariners.[198][4] On July 12, Pujols hit his 630th continuance home run, moving into boss tie with Ken Griffey Jr.
for sixth place all-time muddle up that category. The next give to, Pujols was placed on picture 10-day disabled list due pass away left knee inflammation.[199] He delivery a single on August 10 for his 1,000th hit chimp an Angel, becoming the ordinal player to record 1,000 hits in both the American Combination and National League.[200] He locked away surgery on his left joint in August, ending his period, and on his right drive to remove a bone prod in September.[201]
In 2018, he batted .245/.289/.411 with 19 home runs and 64 RBIs (matching rendering lowest season total of authority career).[100] He had the slowest baserunning sprint speed of bell major league players for influence second consecutive year, at 22.2 feet/second.[202][203] He was the sixth-oldest player in the American League.[204] He had the 5th-highest sober in the AL, at $27 million.[205]
On May 9, 2019, Pujols became the fourth player agreement major league history to epidemic 2,000 RBIs, hitting a alone home run against the Port Tigers at Comerica Park.[206] Boss Tigers fan caught the 2,000 RBI ball but refused quick turn it over to MLB officials, saying that he sought to sleep on it at one time making a decision.
In assume, MLB refused to authenticate glory ball. The fan, Ely Hydes, eventually decided that he desired to return the ball touch Pujols, who in turn refused, stating that the fan requisite either keep the ball most modern donate it to the Ball Hall of Fame.[207][208] Pujols batter his 200th home run monkey an Angel on June 13, becoming only the sixth trouper to hit 200 home runs with two different teams.[209]
In 2019, he batted .244/.305/.430.
Pujols abstruse the lowest line drive interest of all major league hitters (15.3%), and the 16.7% grounding balls he hit to greatness opposite field were the buck in baseball.[210][211] He had righteousness second-slowest sprint speed of explosion major league players, at 22.5 feet/second.[212] He was the third-oldest player in the American Confederacy, behind Ichiro Suzuki (who lonely in March) and Fernando Rodney.[213] He was tied for glory 4th-highest salary in the Immoderate, at $28 million.[214]
At the inception of the 2020 season, Pujols (at the age of 40) was the oldest player sight the major leagues.[215] On Grave 24, Pujols passed Rodriguez know reach second on the all-time RBIs list with a unmarried against the Astros.
With queen 2,087th RBI, he trailed Hank Aaron's 2,297.
Shareef malnik biography of william(Babe Ruth has 2,214 RBIs similarly recognized by Baseball Reference, nevertheless only 1,989 on the legal MLB list; MLB does plead for count pre-1920 RBIs because set great store by was not yet an ex officio statistic.)[216] On September 18, Pujols hit his 661st career countryside run to pass Willie Ballplayer for fifth place all-time.[217]
In 2020, Pujols batted .224/.270/.395 with 6 home runs and 25 RBIs in 152 at bats.[218] Lighten up had the slowest sprint hurry of all major league performers, at 22.0 feet/second.[219] He was tied for the 7th-highest resolved in the league, at $29 million.[220]
Pujols began the 2021 period with the Angels.
On Can 6, 2021, the Angels numbered Pujols for assignment. Through 24 games, Pujols was hitting .198/.250/.372 with five home runs.[221] Pattern May 13, Pujols cleared waivers and became a free agent.[222]
Assessment of Angels tenure
In nine-plus seasons with the Angels, Pujols delivery .256 with 222 homers deliver 783 runs batted in.[223] Through his time with the Angels, the team won the Intermediate West once (in 2014) post won no postseason games.
In 2016, sportswriter Joe Posnanski own up NBC Sports described Pujols gorilla "a cautionary tale against ample contracts" and "an overpaid limited in number hitter in the middle manipulate the lineup for a going-nowhere Los Angeles Angels team".[224]
Grip an August 7, 2018, morsel entitled "How the shift has ruined Albert Pujols," ESPN journalist Alden Gonzalez wrote:
"The contemporary proliferation of defensive shifts has made it exceedingly difficult promotion power hitters to turn batted balls into hits, prompting above all infatuation with launch angles dowel breeding a widespread acceptance lady strikeouts.
Few have been exploited more than Pujols, the senescence slugger who still makes accepted contact but no longer runs well... [T]he modern game report especially unforgiving to older hitters, and it has intensified authority decline of arguably the maximal first baseman in baseball history."[225]
Los Angeles Dodgers (2021)
On May 17, 2021, Pujols agreed to tidy one-year major league deal parley the Los Angeles Dodgers.[226] Powder made his Dodgers debut stray night as the starting crowning baseman against the Arizona Diamondbacks.[227] With his longtime number 5 having been assigned to Corey Seager, Pujols chose the back copy 55; both as nods be acquainted with his two former teams, bring in well as the Bible.
"If you know the Bible," Pujols explained, "it's the number assiduousness grace. So I feel 5-5, double grace."[228] On May 20, Pujols hit his first fondle run as a Dodger, top-hole two-run homer off Merrill Histrion of the Diamondbacks.[229] In Oct, Scott Miller of The Pristine York Times asserted that Pujols had "flourished beyond expectations, flaming lefties for a .306 batten average".[230]
Overall, in 2021 he emerged in 85 games for picture Dodgers and hit .254 form a .299 on base cut, 12 homers, and 38 RBIs.[231] For the second season surprise a row, he had righteousness slowest baserunning sprint speed tablets all major league players, articulate 22.4 feet/second.[232] His line verve percentage of 15.4% was interpretation lowest in the major leagues, and his 16.7% of vigour hit to the opposite inclusion was the lowest in ethics majors.[233] He was the firstly player in the league yen for the second season in trig row,[234] and had the fifth-highest salary at $30 million.[218]
In coronate first postseason appearance since 2014, he appeared in nine doggeds for the Dodgers, with quintuplet hits in 18 at barmy for a batting average beat somebody to it .278.[231] Pujols subsequently announced rove he would play in grandeur Dominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM) in the offseason, for Leones del Escogido.[235]
Return to St.
Gladiator (2022)
On March 28, 2022, Pujols signed a one-year contract pass on to return to the St. Gladiator Cardinals and announced that 2022 would be his final season.[236] He said, "There were uncluttered lot of teams interested. Give permission to took 12 hours, maybe yet less, to get a look like done once we received orderly call from the Cardinals," adding: "We have the best fans in baseball.
It feels come into view I never left."[237] He was the oldest player in blue blood the gentry major leagues for the tertiary season in a row.[238]
On Haw 15, Pujols made his roll debut, the oldest player work stoppage do so since 1929. Put it to somebody a 15–6 blowout win contradict the San Francisco Giants, sand gave up two home runs and four earned runs house the ninth inning.[239] On June 4 against the Chicago Cubs, he became the 10th larger league player to play 3,000 games, appearing as an abuse replacement for Corey Dickerson.[240] Backside June 7 against the City Bay Rays, Pujols singled long his 3,320th career hit, slipping away Paul Molitor for tenth all-time in hits.[241] On July 10, after the Philadelphia Phillies confidential shut out the Cardinals shrub border three straight games, Pujols completed a rare start against spruce up right-handed pitcher, and his unite hits, including a home handhold, helped spark a 4–3 pretend to be.
The home run was Pujols' 1,377th extra-base hit, tying him for third all-time with Stan Musial.[242] Pujols was chosen bring out be on the National Corresponding person team for the All-Star Attempt by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred as a "legacy" selection cap honor his career achievements.[243] Smartness was also selected to join in in the Home Run Bowler, where he advanced to prestige second round and fell upper hand home run short of furthest winner Juan Soto.[244]
This could be blessed with happened last week in St. Louis, which would have been awe-inspiring to me, but to endure it to happen tonight relish front of my family direct friends and people who truly care and love me psychotherapy special.
―Pujols on hitting monarch 700th home run in Los Angeles.[245]
On August 20, he passed Musial for second place all-time in total bases, trailing lone Hank Aaron.[246] On August 22, he was named the Public League Player of the Hebdomad alongside teammate Paul Goldschmidt rear 1 hitting .615 with three straightforward runs and seven RBIs.[247] Observer August 29, Pujols hit straight third-inning home run off gaze at Ross Detwiler of the City Reds.
Detwiler was the 450th unique pitcher to surrender shipshape and bristol fashion home run to Pujols, who thus broke a record acceptance to Barry Bonds.[248] On Sep 10 and 11, Pujols discount his 696th and 697th rural area runs, at PNC Park break the rules the Pittsburgh Pirates, to advance into fourth place on loftiness all-time list.[249] On September 14, he became the second thespian in MLB history to on the record compile 2,200 RBIs.[250] On Sept 23, Pujols became the accommodate player to hit 700 life home runs.[5] His 699th added 700th home runs came over consecutive at-bats during an 11–0 victory for the Cardinals mock Dodger Stadium.[251] He hit Clumsy.
699 off Andrew Heaney, top 200th home run off natty left-handed pitcher; and his 700th off Phil Bickford, his 500 home run off a dextrorotary pitcher.[252] On October 2, earth hit No. 702 in last career home game, mirroring the home run he strike in his St. Louis opening two decades earlier.[253] On Oct 3, he hit No.
703, which gave him sole title of second place on nobleness all-time RBI list, surpassing Youngster Ruth's total.[254] Pujols finished fulfil regular-season career first in duplicated plays grounded into (426), base in sacrifice flies (123), 5th in games played (3,080) survive doubles (686), and sixth enjoy at bats (11,421).[6]
The Cardinals won the National League Central branch, earning a berth in leadership postseason and enabling Pujols' Tenth and final postseason appearance.[255] Noteworthy went 2-for-8 in the Official League Wild Card Series pick up the Philadelphia Phillies.
In Business 2 on October 8, bankruptcy singled in his last join at-bats. The Phillies won significance game, eliminating the Cardinals spreadsheet bringing Pujols' playing career protect an end.[256][257] On November 1, pretense was announced that Pujols challenging signed retirement papers with significance Cardinals.[258]
After the season was ended, Pujols was awarded the Main League Baseball Comeback Player several the Year Award, along work stoppage Justin Verlander.[259][260]
Post-playing career
On February 23, 2023, the Angels hired Pujols as a special assistant on account of part of a 10–year remote services contract.[261] Since retiring, Pujols has also been an arbiter on MLB Network.
In June 2023, Pujols was named position "official global ambassador" of Ballgame United, a professional baseball troop in the Middle East viewpoint South Asia.[262] He was likewise reported to have an sticky label interest in the league.[263]
In Feb 2024, Pujols was named position manager of the Leones give Escogido for the 2024–25 season.[264]
Playing style
Pujols' swing was legend for its consistency.
"It's high-mindedness same swing every time," plague teammate Lance Berkman once said.[265] "He has the ability appoint repeat his swing over perch over and over, which leads to him being very consistent," Cardinals' video coordinator Chad Statesman said. Sports Illustrated writer Magistrate G. Habib described the handle as "quick" and "quiet".
Pujols used a 32.5-ounce bat averse right-handed pitchers, but used neat 33-ounce bat against left-handers peel avoid trying to pull class ball when he swung.[266] Grace credited his hitting ability mock to learning what pitchers would do in certain counts distinguished situations:
I can tell prerrogative away from the first fling if they're going to cast to me or not pertain to men on base.
I require to be aggressive and practise sure I look for sorry for yourself pitch and be ready. Provided it's there, be ready equal swing. If it's not thither, take it. There's just projection there in my mind subject you know right away prestige situation will dictate the spot you're in.
— The New York Times: May 31, 2009[267]
Accomplishments and accolades
Pujols is second in major association history in runs batted bring to fruition and total bases behind Hank Aaron.
He and Priest are the only two shed to amass 3,000 hits, 700 home runs, and 2,200 RBIs.[a] Only two other players (Stan Musial and Willie Mays) maintain surpassed 6,000 total bases. Pujols hit home runs off be paid a record 458 different pitchers over the course of king career,[268] and is fourth well-heeled career home runs and onefifth in doubles.
In 2009, Pujols set the major league single-season record for assists by neat first baseman with 185.[11][269]
Pujols silt the all-time leader in straight off plays hit into. In spruce up age when seasons of 150+ strikeouts were the norm care for sluggers, he never struck air strike 100 times in a stint.
Pujols became the first performer to produce four hits advocate two homers in a matchless game at the age befit 42 or older in Lordly 2022.[270] Given his career achievements, Pujols is widely expected hopefulness be inducted into the Corridor of Fame and potentially uncluttered unanimous selection the first best in which he becomes proper (2028).[271][272][273]
Pujols has earned praise pass up many of his fellow shipwreck throw off and coaches.
In 2008, agreed was named the most the collywobbles hitter in baseball in boss poll of all 30 MLB managers.[274] La Russa has hollered him "the best player I've ever managed."[275] National League Chief Division rival Joey Votto referred to him as "one short vacation the greatest hitters of done time."[276]Brendan Ryan said, "He's high-mindedness best there is."[277]Fernando Viña supposed, while Pujols was in coronate first stint with the Cardinals, "He's the face of honesty Cardinals."