by Kenneth Gregory Smith

Created on: October 22, 2010

  Albert Pujols of  the St. Louis Cardinals has been arguably the greatest baseball slugger of the past ten years. If he continues to play at his current pace for the next ten years (he is only 30), he could end up being the greatest hitter of all-time. He was named as the greatest player of the decade by ESPN for the years 2001-2009.

   Pujols' accomplishments since his rookie year of 2001 are astounding. He has already hit  405 home runs, becoming the first player in major league history to hit 400 homers in his first ten seasons. He has amassed 1,888 hits, 1,219 runs batted in, and owns a career batting average of .332. He is a nine-time all-star and has won the National League Most Valuable Player award three times. He is also an excellent fielder, having won Gold Glove awards for fielding excellence at his position, which is first base. He has 39 multi-homer games, which is a Cardinals' franchise record (held previously by Hall of Famer Stan Musial).

   Pujols may be the only player in baseball capable of winning the Triple Crown, which stands for a person who leads his league in home runs, runs batted in, and batting average during a season. He has come close to that rare feat several times. In 2010, he placed in the top five in the National League in all three of those categories with 42 home runs, 118 runs batted in, and a .312 batting average.

    At 6 foot three inches and 230 pounds, Pujols is an intimidating figure at the plate. His batting stroke is one that many other players seek to emulate. He is equally adept at hitting a fastball, curve ball, or change up pitch. Opposing pitchers know he will usually make them pay for a mistake. 

    In a testament to how inexact a science scouting is, Pujols was only drafted in the 13th round of the 1999 draft; 401 players were taken before him!  Once he signed with the Cardinals, he quickly rose through the ranks of the minor leagues, and by 2001 he was firmly established at the Cardinals' first baseman.

  If he stays healthy and plays another ten years, he could easily break the major league all-time home run mark and end up with well over 3,000 hits. Barring a career-ending injury, there are ample reasons to believe he may put up career hitting numbers never seen in major league baseball before.

  As great a player that he is, Pujols also has an outstanding personal reputation. In 2005, he and his wife Deidre started the Pujols Family Foundation that raises money to fight Downs Syndrome and also supports the Dominican Republic, his native country. Pujols is open about his Christian faith. On his web site, Pujols states his Foundation " seeks to honor God and strengthen families through our works, deeds, and examples." He goes on to discuss his faith in Jesus Christ and invites others to consider the Christian faith for themselves.

  Source: www.pujolsfamilyfoundation.org

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