Is there a better player than Albert Pujols?

pokerpills · Jul 6, 2005

I don't see one. With Bonds gone, I can't even see anyone coming close. Not a bad guy off the field either.

Journeyman · Jul 6, 2005

I would have to agree, his first 4+ years have been remarkable.

Journeyman · Jul 6, 2005

He's averaged 40 homers, 125 RBI and .333...thats his average year !

pokerpills · Jul 6, 2005

Journeyman said:
He's averaged 40 homers, 125 RBI and .333...thats his average year !

Astounding and unreal for first four years. Now that I think about it , I don't see a better baseball player off the field either! I believe when he was quite young 22 or so, he adopted a girl with Down's Syndrome. And this was before he was a superstar, still playing in the minors. Can you imagine what type of heart and guts that takes for a 22 year old man? Good things happen to good people.....

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Albert’s adopted daughter, Isabella, has Down syndrome. She had heart surgery in July of 1998 to correct a circulatory problem, but is doing fine now. While Isabella’s learning and intelligence levels are behind other kids her age, Albert says her speech is developing steadily. Having a younger brother who talks a lot is a big help. So is Albert’s commitment to kids and families affected by Down Syndrome. He works closely with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Albert and his family are members of the Kansas City Baptist Temple. He reportedly donates between 10 and 20 percent of his salary to the church, not to mention the volunteer work he does.[/font]

Journeyman · Jul 6, 2005

Amazing story ! And that really says a lot about the man.

ClipJoint · Jul 6, 2005

Amazing player and person...his statistics are mind blowing. This guy is unreal.

pokerpills · Jul 6, 2005

While all the young superstar NBA and MLB players are out getting BLINGED and chasing tail, Albert adopts a girl with Down Syndrome. The most amazing part is to do it that age. I wonder if anyone has ever done anything like that at such a young age.

TheFunkMonkey · Jul 6, 2005

I'd put Vlad up there. Look at his career stats.

Then imagine if he was playing for STL, BOS, NYY, etc.

Unfortunately, he was playing in Montreal. So he was ignored.

2002, Vlad hit .336, 39 HRs, 37 2Bs, 111 RBIs...oh, he also stole 40 bases!

:nuts:

koidog · Jul 6, 2005

Manny's stats are right there. A-Rod. Vlad as was mentioned. I'd say these guys are the 4 best Right Handed hitters in the Game.

Tough to go wrong with any of them in the middle of your lineup.

pokerpills · Jul 6, 2005

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=ysptblthbody1 align=right><TD class=yspdetailttl align=left width="18%" height=18>

Year
</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl align=left width="6%">Team</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>G</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>AB</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>R</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>H</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>2B</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>3B</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>HR</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>RBI</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>BB</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl></TD><TD class=yspdetailttl></TD><TD class=yspdetailttl></TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>AVG</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>OBP</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>SLG</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>OPS</TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR class=ysprow1 align=right><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16> 2001

</TD><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16>STL</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>161</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>590</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>112</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>194</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>47</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>4</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>37</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>130</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>69</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.329</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.403</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.610</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>1.013</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16> </TD></TR><TR class=ysprow2 align=right><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16> 2002</TD><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16>STL</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>157</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>590</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>118</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>185</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>40</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>2</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>34</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>127</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>72</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.314</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.394</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.561</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.955</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16> </TD></TR><TR class=ysprow1 align=right><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16> 2003</TD><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16>STL</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>157</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>591</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>137</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>212</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>51</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>1</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>43</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>124</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>79</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.359</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.439</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.667</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>1.106</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16> </TD></TR><TR class=ysprow2 align=right><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16> 2004</TD><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16>STL</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>154</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>592</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>133</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>196</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>51</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>2</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>46</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>123</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>84</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.331</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.415</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.657</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>1.072</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16> </TD></TR><TR class=ysprow1 align=right><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16> 2005</TD><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16>STL</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>83</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>321</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>70</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>111</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>20</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>0</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>22</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>69</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>42</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.346</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.430</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.614</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>1.044</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16> </TD></TR><TR class=ysprow2 align=right height=16><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16> Career</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16> </TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>712</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>2684</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>570</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16> 898</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>209</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>9</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16> 182</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16> 573</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16> 46</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.335</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.415</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.623</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>1.038</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>With all due respect to all of the players mentioned above, no one in the history of baseball has had a first four seasons like these. Will he keep this up is still yet to be seen but if he's anywhere near close for the next five years, he will have to arguably be considered the best player in the history of baseball. Oh and by the way, he plays at Busch field. Not exactly a hitter's ballpark.

ClipJoint · Jul 6, 2005

Unbelieveable....not only 46 & 43 HRs the last 2 seasons...but 51 doubles! Incredible.

royalfan · Jul 6, 2005

He is a lot of fun to watch hit, no doubt about it.

koidog · Jul 6, 2005

pokerpills said:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=ysptblthbody1 align=right><TD class=yspdetailttl align=left width="18%" height=18>

Year

</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl align=left width="6%">Team</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>G</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>AB</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>R</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>H</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>2B</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>3B</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>HR</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>RBI</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>BB</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl></TD><TD class=yspdetailttl></TD><TD class=yspdetailttl></TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>AVG</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>OBP</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>SLG</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>OPS</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR class=ysprow1 align=right><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16>2001

</TD><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16>STL</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>161</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>590</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>112</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>194</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>47</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>4</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>37</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>130</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>69</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.329</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.403</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.610</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>1.013</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD></TR><TR class=ysprow2 align=right><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16>2002</TD><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16>STL</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>157</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>590</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>118</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>185</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>40</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>2</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>34</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>127</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>72</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.314</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.394</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.561</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.955</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD></TR><TR class=ysprow1 align=right><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16>2003</TD><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16>STL</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>157</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>591</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>137</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>212</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>51</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>1</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>43</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>124</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>79</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.359</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.439</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.667</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>1.106</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD></TR><TR class=ysprow2 align=right><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16>2004</TD><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16>STL</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>154</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>592</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>133</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>196</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>51</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>2</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>46</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>123</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>84</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.331</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.415</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.657</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>1.072</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD></TR><TR class=ysprow1 align=right><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16>2005</TD><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16>STL</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>83</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>321</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>70</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>111</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>20</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>0</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>22</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>69</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>42</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.346</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.430</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.614</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>1.044</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD></TR><TR class=ysprow2 align=right height=16><TD class=yspscores align=left height=16>Career</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>712</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>2684</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>570</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>898</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>209</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>9</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>182</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>573</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>46</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16></TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.335</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.415</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>.623</TD><TD class=yspscores height=16>1.038</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>With all due respect to all of the players mentioned above, no one in the history of baseball has had a first four seasons like these. Will he keep this up is still yet to be seen but if he's anywhere near close for the next five years, he will have to arguably be considered the best player in the history of baseball. Oh and by the way, he plays at Busch field. Not exactly a hitter's ballpark.

Tough to argue with the first 4 years.... and 1/2 a 5th. Still we will see, other guys have had great starts to their career Mattingly, Griffey Jr, only to get derailed.

BTW, Busch Stadium has been a hitters Park for the last decade or so. They moved the Power Ally's in twice, 1992 and again in 1996. Balls fly outta there.

viking611 · Jul 6, 2005

let's add another amazing stat in there...

2001 93 SO
2002 69 SO
2003 65 SO
2004 52 SO
2005 34 SO

He's lowered his strike out total every year...looks like he's on pace for 60 some this year. That is truly remarkable in this day of age with everyone striking out all the time!

mudbone · Jul 7, 2005

Pujols is a Hall of Famer if he keeps this up for another 10 more years, no doubt.

But right now, the best player in baseball is derek lee of the cubs - for the first half anyways.

GMON · Jul 7, 2005

The answer to the thread question is .......................................................................................no.

ClipJoint · Jul 7, 2005

mudbone said:
Pujols is a Hall of Famer if he keeps this up for another 10 more years, no doubt.

But right now, the best player in baseball is derek lee of the cubs - for the first half anyways.

The gap is closing quickly this season already though:

Lee: .377 avg, 25 HR, 67 RBI
Pujols: .344 avg, 22 HR, 69 RBI

Stickie · Jul 7, 2005

Everytime I check the games he is on base. Great hitter.

cincy_ · Jul 7, 2005

Stickie said:
Everytime I check the games he is on base. Great hitter.

I guess either:

a) He didn't play in the World Series last year

or

b) You didn't watch it.

David Ortiz is better in the clutch
Ichiro is a better hitter
Vladimir Guerrero is better all-around (if you take into account his cannon arm)

ClipJoint · Jul 7, 2005

cincy_hugg said:
I guess either:

a) He didn't play in the World Series last year

or

b) You didn't watch it.

David Ortiz is better in the clutch
Ichiro is a better hitter
Vladimir Guerrero is better all-around (if you take into account his cannon arm)