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I like Alex Rodriquez. I am a fan of his. I think he is a complete gentleman and I respect his ability to take a lot of criticism from fans and media without ever backlashing on anyone. I also think, if healthy, he will break a lot of the records people consider the measure of greatness in baseball. I do not think this makes Rodriguez the best player in baseball. He is not the best player today and therefore cannot be considered the best ever.

Statistics are important, but when I think of how to go about selecting the best player, I think of one factor: If I owned a baseball team, what player would I want on my team over all other players? If I had the game on the line and could choose one player to come to the plate for my team, who would it be? The answer to those questions in today's game is Albert Pujols.

No player covers the plate better and puts more pressure on a pitcher from one at-bat to the next than Pujols. I watch a lot of baseball and I know this: when Rodriquez comes to the plate in the ninth inning with a chance to win it against my favorite team, I am never worried. When Pujols comes to the plate in the same situation I am scared to death that my favorite team is going to lose. For me, that is all the proof I need that Pujols is the better player despite statistics.

For the record here are the stats for both players for the past three seasons: Rodriguez home runs = 126, Pujols home runs = 120; Rodriguez RBI = 374, Pujols RBI = 338; Rodriguez runs = 357, Pujols runs = 332. Statistically, the edge goes to Rodriguez, but barely. We also must keep in mind that Pujols has less expensive talent surrounding him in the lineup than Rodriguez does which accounts for most of the difference in RBI and run totals.

A lot of Rodriguez' big blasts come against mediocre pitchers. Often he will blast a couple homers in a game that the Yankees already lead by six and the opposition has brought in some of their weakest relievers from the bull pen.

Watch close and you will see when A-Rod is up against a great pitcher in a really meaningful at-bat, he strikes out a lot. Pujols strikes fear in the heart of the best pitchers in the game and he comes through with big hits against them time and time again. Look at the stats, but then look at the actual game and tell me you would rather have A-Rod on your team.

Learn more about this author, Jeremy Peters.
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