25 Years of Baseball » Albert Pujols http://25yearsofbaseball.com Exploring 25 years of Topps baseball, one pack at a time Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:16:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Pack Break: 2004 Topps Series 1 http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2012/01/14/pack-break-2004-topps-series-1-5/ http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2012/01/14/pack-break-2004-topps-series-1-5/#comments Sun, 15 Jan 2012 01:28:29 +0000 Steve http://25yearsofbaseball.com/?p=6692

“One look at Albert, and even the casual fan can tell he’s got the powerful body of a big-time home run hitter.  But there has been more to his success than just muscle.  ”He’s as smart as any player I’ve ever managed,” says Cards manager Tony LaRussa.  His intellect has enabled him, at just 23, to make uncanny adjustments.”

2004 Topps Series 1:

  1. #311 Kenny Perez (First Year)
  2. #32 Brad Radke
  3. #143 Omar Vizquel
  4. #6 Mike Matheny
  5. #1 Jim Thome
  6. #112 Octavio Dotel
  7. #339 Alex Rodriguez/Frank Thomas/Carlos Delgado (League Leaders)
  8. #39 Gil Meche
  9. #241 Orlando Hudson
  10. #40 Albert Pujols
  11. #124 Eric Owens
]]> http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2012/01/14/pack-break-2004-topps-series-1-5/feed/ 0 JUMBO Sunday: 2011 Topps Series 2 (Auto hit!) http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/10/30/jumbo-sunday-2011-topps-series-2-auto-hit/ http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/10/30/jumbo-sunday-2011-topps-series-2-auto-hit/#comments Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:41:00 +0000 Steve http://25yearsofbaseball.com/?p=6458 Another pack of 2011 Topps Series 2, this one had the autograph, and it’s a good one.

World Series Champion

Early favorite that never lived up to the promise

Haven’t been seen in the playoffs since 1985

His 4 singles, 2 doubles, and triple weren’t enough in the Division Series

Get well soon!

  1. #637 Ricky Nolasco
  2. #419 Kelly Johnson
  3. #345 Austin Jackson
  4. #439 Ervin Santana
  5. #400 Troy Tulowitzki
  6. #476 Matt LaPorta
  7. #628 Blake DeWitt
  8. #410 Prince Fielder
  9. #572 Brad Hawpe
  10. #429 Skip Schumaker
  11. #483 Justin Smoak
  12. #546 Pat Burrell
  13. #607 Daniel Murphy
  14. #463 Will Venable
  15. #364 Tim Wakefield
  16. #379 Ben Francisco
  17. #401 Michael Crotta (Rookie Card)
  18. #466 Johnny Damon
  19. #404 Chris Capuano
  20. #394 Austin Jackson (Topps All-Star Rookie)
  21. #503 Nathan Adcock (Rookie Card)
  22. #418 Zach Britton (Rookie Card)
  23. #547 Albert Pujols (Checklist)
  24. Gold #614 Minnesota Twins (Serial#1701/2011) (Team Card)
  25. Topps Town Series 2 #TT2-33 Austin Jackson
  26. Diamond Giveaway #TDG-17 Ryan Braun
  27. Diamond Anniversary #568 Kansas City Royals (Team Card)
  28. Diamond Duos Series 2 #DD-20 Clayton Kershaw/Madison Bumgarner
  29. 60 #T60-74 Chase Utley
  30. 60 Years of Topps #60YOT-107 Roy Halladay
  31. Kimball Champions #KC-92 Frank Thomas
  32. 60 Autographs #BP Buster Posey (Autograph)
  33. #539 Brandon Lyon
  34. #513 Adam LaRoche
  35. #465 Yovani Gallardo
  36. #497 Alex Avila
  37. #632 Scott Kazmir
  38. #342 Jorge de la Rosa
  39. #565 Mark Teahen
  40. #577 Mike Fontenot
  41. #657 Nick Blackburn
  42. #397 Sean Rodriguez
  43. #493 Ryan Sweeney
  44. #587 J.P. Arencibia
  45. #516 Mike Leake
  46. #457 Brandon Allen
  47. #494 Drew Storen
  48. #556 B.J. Upton
  49. #433 Curtis Granderson
  50. #375 Matt Kemp
And my Diamond Giveaway card:
1974 Topps #9 Mickey Lolich
]]> http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/10/30/jumbo-sunday-2011-topps-series-2-auto-hit/feed/ 1 JUMBO Sunday: 2011 Topps Series 1 (Redemption Auto!) http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/07/10/jumbo-sunday-2011-topps-series-1-redemption-auto/ http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/07/10/jumbo-sunday-2011-topps-series-1-redemption-auto/#comments Sun, 10 Jul 2011 20:42:53 +0000 Steve http://25yearsofbaseball.com/?p=6402 Here’s my last jumbo pack of 2011 Topps Series 1!

  1. #216 Jose Bautista
  2. #323 C.J. Wilson
  3. #265 John Danks
  4. #188 Pablo Sandoval
  5. #33 Max Scherzer
  6. #221 Scott Hairston
  7. #307 Alex Rios
  8. #46 Hong-Chih Kuo
  9. #184 Brandon Morrow
  10. #284 Reid Brignac
  11. #67 Vladimir Guerrero
  12. #218 Victor Martinez
  13. #75 Jered Weaver
  14. #253 Jim Thome
  15. #142 Johnny Cueto
  16. #162 Ronny Cedeno
  17. #1 Ryan Braun
  18. #23 Jaime Garcia
  19. #44 Martin Prado
  20. #290 Ike Davis
  21. #176 Daniel Hudson
  22. #242 Brad Lidge
  23. #194 Andres Torres
  24. #149 David Aardsma
  25. #76 Tom Gorzelanny
  26. #32 Chris Johnson
  27. #105 Jonathan Lucroy
  28. Diamond Giveaway #TDG-4 Albert Pujols
  29. 60 Years of Topps #60YOT-35 Dave Winfield
  30. Diamond Duos #DD-PC Albert Pujols/Miguel Cabrera
  31. 60 #T60-16 Carl Crawford
  32. Diamond #196 Jose Ceda (Rookie Card)
  33. Kimball Champions #KC-33 Martin Prado
  34. Lost Cards #60YOTLC-2 Duke Snider
  35. 60 Autographs #FCA Fausto Carmona (Redemption)
  36. #132 Brian Duensing
  37. #187 Milwaukee Brewers (Team Card)
  38. #168 Felix Hernandez (Cy Young Award)
  39. #222 Matt Lindstrom
  40. #274 Michael Brantley
  41. #303 Emilio Bonifacio
  42. #161 Chicago White Sox (Team Card)
  43. #73 James McDonald
  44. #236 Nelson Cruz
  45. #238 Pedro Ciriaco (Rookie Card)
  46. #38 Ryan Dempster
  47. #298 Jeff Keppinger
  48. #96 Zach Duke
  49. #51 David Eckstein
  50. Topps Town #TT-17 Aroldis Chapman

1986 Topps #163 Pete Ladd

]]> http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/07/10/jumbo-sunday-2011-topps-series-1-redemption-auto/feed/ 0 JUMBO Sunday: 2011 Topps Series 1 http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/06/26/jumbo-sunday-2011-topps-series-1-5/ http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/06/26/jumbo-sunday-2011-topps-series-1-5/#comments Sun, 26 Jun 2011 20:22:50 +0000 Steve http://25yearsofbaseball.com/?p=6384 A jumbo pack of 2011 Topps Series 1:

  1. #205 Ty Wigginton
  2. #151 Fausto Carmona
  3. #9 Gil Meche
  4. #94 Ryan Raburn
  5. #177 Brian Matusz
  6. #201 Mike Napoli
  7. #17 Mark Ellis
  8. #62 Jonathan Papelbon
  9. #112 Jorge Cantu
  10. #258 Rafael Soriano
  11. #231 Mark Buehrle
  12. #248 Wade LeBlanc
  13. #179 Armando Galarraga
  14. #113 Arthur Rhodes
  15. #191 Jay Bruce
  16. #217 Yunel Escobar
  17. #154 Marlon Byrd
  18. #267 Jose Contreras
  19. #230 Aaron Cook
  20. #325 Jayson Werth
  21. #313 Chris Coghlan
  22. #269 Stephen Drew
  23. #180 Paul Maholm
  24. #13 Billy Wagner
  25. #276 Miguel Olivo
  26. #56 Johan Santana
  27. #89 Placido Polanco
  28. Gold #132 Brian Duensing (Serial#1392/2011)
  29. Diamond Giveaway #TDG-7 Derek Jeter
  30. 60 Years of Topps #60YOT-50 Manny Ramirez
  31. Diamond Duos #DD-TU Hisanori Takahashi/Koji Uehara
  32. 60 #T60-24 Josh Johnson
  33. Diamond #117 Brett Sinkbeil (Rookie Card)
  34. Kimball Champions #KC-38 Roy Oswalt
  35. CMG Reprints #CMGR-15 Jimmie Foxx
  36. #299 Chris Carpenter
  37. #185 Peter Bourjos
  38. #159 Chris Perez
  39. #11 Roy Halladay/Adam Wainwright/Ubaldo Jimenez (League Leaders)
  40. #138 Albert Pujols/Carlos Gonzalez/Joey Votto (League Leaders)
  41. #34 Rick Ankiel
  42. #186 Carl Pavano
  43. #235 Felix Hernandez/Clay Buchholz/David Price (League Leaders)
  44. #200 Ichiro
  45. #87 Daniel Descalso (Rookie Card)
  46. #206 Chase Headley
  47. #45 Hunter Pence
  48. #77 Tim Hudson
  49. #181 Magglio Ordonez
  50. Topps Town #TT-11 Chris Young

Just when I thought my Diamond Topps luck couldn’t get any worse, I get this:

1987 Topps #256 Royals Leaders

]]> http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/06/26/jumbo-sunday-2011-topps-series-1-5/feed/ 0 JUMBO Sunday: 2011 Topps Series 1 http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/05/22/jumbo-sunday-2011-topps-series-1-2/ http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/05/22/jumbo-sunday-2011-topps-series-1-2/#comments Sun, 22 May 2011 20:13:07 +0000 Steve http://25yearsofbaseball.com/?p=6328 Ripping a jumbo pack of 2011 Topps Series 1:

  1. #252 Michael Saunders
  2. #140 Brett Anderson
  3. #102 CC Sabathia
  4. #255 Torii Hunter
  5. #164 Koji Uehara
  6. #47 Kevin Correia
  7. #261 Alexei Ramirez
  8. #131 Kevin Kouzmanoff
  9. #121 Brandon Inge
  10. #35 Shin-Soo Choo
  11. #260 Freddy Sanchez
  12. #197 Aaron Hill
  13. #36 Ted Lilly
  14. #8 Julio Borbon
  15. #128 Manny Ramirez
  16. #104 Ian Stewart
  17. #156 Josh Thole
  18. #20 Hanley Ramirez
  19. #2 Jake Westbrook
  20. #310 Alex Gonzalez
  21. #295 Jon Jay
  22. #60 Andrew McCutchen
  23. #247 Starlin Castro
  24. #136 Jason Marquis
  25. #256 Tyler Colvin
  26. #58 Edgar Renteria
  27. #66 R.A. Dickey
  28. Diamond Giveaway #TDG-1 Mickey Mantle
  29. 60 Years of Topps #60YOT-28 Eddie Murray
  30. Diamond Duos #DD-RS Hanley Ramirez/Mike Stanton
  31. 60 #T60-44 Duke Snider
  32. Diamond #49 Angels (Team Card)
  33. Kimball Champions #KC-6 Clay Buchholz
  34. Lost Cards #60YOTLC-3 Mickey Mantle
  35. #322 Brent Morel (Rookie Card)
  36. #183 Stephen Strasburg (Topps All-Star Rookie)
  37. #141 Ubaldo Jimenez (Checklist)
  38. #65 Chris Sale (Rookie Card)
  39. #57 Mark Trumbo (Rookie Card)
  40. #309 Chicago Cubs (Team Card)
  41. #59 Gaby Sanchez (Topps All-Star Rookie)
  42. #88 Brian Bogusevic (Rookie Card)
  43. #80 Desmond Jennings (Rookie Card)
  44. #68 Cleveland Indians (Team Card)
  45. #318 Albert Pujols/Adam Dunn/Joey Votto (League Leaders)
  46. #204 Oakland Athletics (Team Card)
  47. #12 Carlos Marmol
  48. #158 Casey Blake
  49. #279 Nick Swisher
  50. Topps Town #TT-14 Shin-Soo Choo

As for the spoils of the Diamond Giveaway card-grab:

1967 Topps #2 Jack Hamilton

]]> http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/05/22/jumbo-sunday-2011-topps-series-1-2/feed/ 0 Pack Break: 2006 Topps Updates & Highlights http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/03/24/pack-break-2006-topps-updates-highlights-12/ http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/03/24/pack-break-2006-topps-updates-highlights-12/#comments Thu, 24 Mar 2011 20:29:38 +0000 Steve http://25yearsofbaseball.com/?p=6107

“After being carried by their pitching and some lesser-known hitters in the NLCS, the Cardinals turned to the heart of their order to dispatch Detroit in the World Series opener.  Their Nos. 3-4-5 men — Pujols, Edmonds and Rolen — combined to go 5-for-11 with 4 RBI in a 7-2 win.  Pujols and Rolen homered.”

Jim Edmonds just officially announced his retirement last month.  He played 17 seasons in the Major Leagues, winning 8 Gold Gloves for his exceptional fielding abilities.

2006 Topps Updates & Highlights:

  1. #UH91 Oscar Villarreal
  2. #UH103 Aaron Sele
  3. #UH47 Elmer Dessens
  4. #UH75 Wilson Betemit
  5. #UH55 Julio Lugo
  6. #UH227 Alfonso Soriano (All-Star)
  7. #UH250 Carlos Lee (All-Star)
  8. Gold #UH328 Johan Santana/Francisco Liriano (Serial#0278/2006) (Classic Duos)
  9. #UH197 Albert Pujols/Jim Edmonds/Scott Rolen (Postseason Highlights)
  10. #UH264 Mariano Rivera (All-Star)
  11. #UH317 Frank Thomas/Barry Zito (Team Leaders)
  12. #UH263 Dan Uggla (All-Star)
]]> http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/03/24/pack-break-2006-topps-updates-highlights-12/feed/ 0 Pack Break: 2006 Topps Updates & Highlights http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/03/08/pack-break-2006-topps-updates-highlights-11/ http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/03/08/pack-break-2006-topps-updates-highlights-11/#comments Tue, 08 Mar 2011 21:24:44 +0000 Steve http://25yearsofbaseball.com/?p=6044

Of these three hitters, Freddy Sanchez was the one who declined the most since winning the batting title in 2006, hitting only .290 since 2007.  Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols hit .316 and .330, respectively, since 2007.

2006 Topps Updates & Highlights:

  1. #UH20 Jeff Conine
  2. #US32 David Riske
  3. #UH12 Brett Tomko
  4. #UH40 Jeremy Accardo
  5. #UH24 Eddie Guardado
  6. #UH226 Kenny Rogers (All-Star)
  7. #UH175 Trevor Hoffman (Season Highlights)
  8. Rookie Debut #RD-2 Ian Kinsler
  9. #UH185 Frank Thomas (Postseason Highlights)
  10. #UH268 Bobby Jenks (All-Star)
  11. #UH211 Freddy Sanchez/Miguel Cabrera/Albert Pujols (League Leaders)
  12. #UH266 Tom Gordon (All-Star)
]]> http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/03/08/pack-break-2006-topps-updates-highlights-11/feed/ 0 Pack Break: 2004 Topps Series 2 http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/02/07/pack-break-2004-topps-series-2-10/ http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/02/07/pack-break-2004-topps-series-2-10/#comments Mon, 07 Feb 2011 21:22:38 +0000 Steve http://25yearsofbaseball.com/?p=5954

“From Japan and Dominican Republic, respectively, Ichiro and Pujols made dramatic big-league debuts in 2001.  Ichiro won the AL bat crown (.350), Rookie of the Year Award and MVP Award.  Albert smashed .329-37-130, won the NL Rookie of the Year prize and finished fourth in NL MVP voting.  Each player ripped at least .312 in ’02 and ’03, with Pujols copping his first NL bat crown (.359) the latter year.”

After 10 seasons of play, neither Ichiro nor Pujols have ever hit under .300 in a season.

2004 Topps Series 2:

  1. #537 Paul Konerko
  2. #430 Garret Anderson
  3. #523 J.T. Snow Jr.
  4. #634 Shea Hillenbrand
  5. #401 Troy Glaus
  6. #702 Mike Cameron (Gold Glove)
  7. #646 Cleveland Indians (Team Card)
  8. #643 Chicago Cubs (Team Card)
  9. #694 Ichiro/Albert Pujols (Fan Favorites)
  10. #638 Anaheim Angels (Team Card)
]]> http://25yearsofbaseball.com/2011/02/07/pack-break-2004-topps-series-2-10/feed/ 1