Albert Pujols
Why I collect him: 25-Years-of-Baseball Hall of Fame (2009)
Awards and Honors
- 2009 NL MVP
- 2009 NL All-Star
- 2008 NL MVP
- 2008 NL All-Star
- 2007 NL All-Star
- 2006 NL All-Star
- 2005 NL MVP
- 2005 NL All-Star
- 2004 NLCS MVP
- 2004 NL All-Star
- 2003 NL Batting Champion
- 2003 NL All-Star
- 2001 NL Rookie of the Year
- 2001 NL All-Star
- 2000 Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year
Interesting Facts
- For the 2009 MLB All-Star Game, Albert caught the ceremonial first pitch from President Obama
- Pujols garnered nearly 5.4 million fan votes for the 2009 MLB All-Star Game, second only to Ken Griffey Jr.'s ballot haul in 1994
- In 2008, Albert Pujols joined Al Simmons and Ted Williams as the only three players to rack up 100 RBIs in each of his first 8 seasons
- In 2008, Albert Pujols held the highest career batting average among active players with .334
- In 2007, Albert led all active MLB players with a .620 career slugging percentage
- He went 109 straight plate appearances late 2007 without striking out, nearly going fan-free in September
- By 2007, Albert had started All-Star games at three different positions -- left field, first base, and designated hitter
- In 2003, he became the youngest NL batting champ since 1962
- He tied the Major League rookie record held by Kent Hrbek and Carlos Delgado for April Home Runs with 7 in 2001.
- In 2001, he hit the first HR by a Cardinal rookie in a home opener since Wally Moon in 1954
- He was not drafted until the 13th round in 1999
- Albert turned an unassisted triple play at shortstop in his first junior college game
