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Albert Pujols

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For other uses, see Pujols (disambiguation).
Albert Pujols
Pujols with the Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals – No. 5
First baseman
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
debut
April 2, 2001, for the St. Louis Cardinals
Career statistics
(through May 6, 2010)
Batting average.333
Home runs373
Runs batted in1,137
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

José Alberto Pujols Alcántara (born January 16, 1980), better known as Albert Pujols (Spanish pronunciation: [puˈxols]), is a professional baseball player who has played his entire career in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals. Currently a first baseman, Pujols is well-known for his all-around ability as a player to hit for both average and power, plus his base-running and fielding excellence. His consistency over his nine years in the Major Leagues has earned him the reputation as one of the best players in the game today[1][2] and the most feared hitter in baseball, according to a poll of all 30 MLB managers in 2008.[3] Since his MLB debut in 2001, Pujols has been selected as an All-Star eight times, has won the National League Most Valuable Player Award three times, and won a World Series title in 2006.

After the end of the 2009 season, he led all active players in batting average (.334),[4] slugging percentage (.628),[5] and on-base percentage (.427) and ranks among the leading home run hitters in Major League Baseball history.[6] He was selected by ESPN.com as the greatest player of the decade from 2000–2009.[7]

He stands 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m), weighs 231 pounds (105 kg), bats and throws right-handed.[8]

Early life and career

Born on January 16, 1980, Pujols was raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic by his grandmother. Pujols and his family immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic in 1996, first to New York City. In the U.S., Pujols displayed his hitting skill by batting over .500 in his first season at Fort Osage High School in Independence, Missouri, twice earning all-state honors. Pujols graduated from high school in December 1998. He attended Maple Woods Community College in the Kansas City area in spring of 1999. In his only college season, Pujols hit a grand slam and turned an unassisted triple play in his first game.[9] He batted .461 for the year.

Professional baseball career

Minor leagues

Few major league teams were very interested in Pujols and he was a late round draft pick. However, Pujols initially turned down a USD $10,000 bonus and opted to play in the Jayhawk League in Kansas instead. The Cardinals increased their bonus offer to $60,000[10], Pujols signed, and was assigned to the minor leagues.

In 2000, Pujols played for the Peoria Chiefs of the single-A Midwest League, where he was voted league MVP. Pujols quickly progressed through the ranks of the St. Louis farm clubs, first at the Potomac Cannons in the high-A Carolina League and then with the Memphis Redbirds in the Class AAA Pacific Coast League.

Major league career

2001–2004

During the 2001 season, the team was preparing for Pujols to be sent to Memphis-AAA. However, Pujols' outstanding play, combined with injuries on the big league roster allowed Pujols the opportunity to start the season in the majors.[11] Pujols started his major league career playing third base. During his rookie season, he started at four different positions (1B, 3B, LF, and RF).

In May, he was named National League Rookie of the Month and was named to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. In the second half of the season, Pujols had a on-base streak of 48 consecutive games from July 28 to September 22. Pujols' successful rookie season helped the Cardinals tie for the National League Central Division title. In 2001, Pujols batted .329 with 37 home runs and 130 RBI, and was unanimously named the National League Rookie of the Year.[12] His 37 home runs were one short of the National League rookie record of 38, held by Wally Berger of the 1930 Boston Braves and Frank Robinson of the 1956 Cincinnati Redlegs. His 130 RBI set an NL rookie record.

In 2002, Pujols was moved to left field to accommodate Scott Rolen. In 2002, Pujols struggled at first, but batted extremely well through the season, hitting .314 with 34 homers and 127 RBI.

Following an injury scare in 2003, Pujols was moved to first base and had one of the best offensive seasons in Cardinals history, batting .359 with 43 home runs, and 124 RBIs. He won the NL batting title while also leading the league in runs, hits, doubles, extra base hits, and total bases. Pujols joined Rogers Hornsby as the only players in Cardinals' history to record 40+ homers and 200+ hits in the same season and had a 30-game hitting streak in 2003.

In 2004, Pujols signed a seven-year, $100 million contract extension with a $16 million club option for 2011 with no trade provisions.

Throughout the year, Pujols was plagued by plantar fasciitis, but was still hitting .331 with 46 home runs and 123 RBIs. Pujols, along with teammates Jim Edmonds and Scott Rolen, earned the nickname 'MV3' for their phenomenal season. He was named the MVP of the 2004 NLCS, helping his team reach the World Series.[13]

2005–2006

In 2005 season Pujols established career highs in walks and stolen bases, while leading his team in almost every offensive category. He finished batting .330 with 41 home runs (including his 200th career homer), 117 RBIs, 97 walks, and 16 stolen bases. His performance earned him the 2005 National League MVP award.[14]

Pujols wearing the 1982 St. Louis Cardinals retro jersey on June 18, 2005 at Tropicana Field.

The Cardinals were eliminated by the Houston Astros 4 games to 2 in the NLCS, but Pujols hit a memorable home run in Game 5, with the Cardinals only one out from elimination. With the Astros leading 4–2 with two outs in the ninth inning, Pujols hit a game-winning, three-run home run off closer Brad Lidge that landed on the train tracks in the back of Minute Maid Park.[15] After the game, Pujols commented that he was telling himself, "Don't try to be a hero; don't try to hit a three-run home run."[16]

Early in the 2006 season, Pujols became the 35th player to hit home runs in four consecutive at-bats, and the 20th batter to hit four home runs in four consecutive plate appearances. He set the record for the most home runs hit in April of the season, at 14, on April 29, 2006—and became the fastest player in major league history to reach 19 home runs in a season by May 13. In June he was placed on the 15-day disabled list for the first time in his career on June 4, missing 15 games. He returned in time to help the Cardinals win the NL Central. He started at first base for the NL All-Star team and finished the season with a .331 batting average, establishing new career-highs in slugging percentage (in which he led the majors), 49 home runs (second) and 137 RBIs (second). Of his 49 home runs, 20 accounted for a game-winning RBI, breaking Willie Mays' single-season record set in 1962.[17][18]

Pujols at the 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

After appearing in the playoffs with the Cardinals in four of his first five years in the big leagues, Pujols won his first World Series when the Cardinals won the 2006 World Series, defeating the Detroit Tigers.[19]

After having shared the lead for errors at his position in 2005, Pujols' defensive improvements were recognized with his first Gold Glove award in 2006. He had the highest range factor among first basemen in his two full seasons at the position, and led the National League in that category; emblematic was a sprawling, flip-from-his-back play Pujols made to rob Plácido Polanco of a hit in the 7th inning of Game 5 of the World Series.[19]

2007–2008

Pujols had a slower start in the spring of 2007 than in previous years due to several injuries in his right elbow. Following the All-Star break, he hit four home runs in his first three games back.

He hit his 25th home run on August 15, making him the fifth player to hit 25 home runs in his first seven seasons in the major leagues, and the first since Darryl Strawberry. On August 22, he hit his 30th home run of the season, becoming the first major league player to hit at least 30 home runs in each of his first 7 seasons. It was his fifth consecutive game with a home run, tying the Cardinals' single-season record.

Pujols notched his 100th RBI for the seventh consecutive year, to be only the third player to accomplish that from the start of his career.

Pujols won the Fielding Bible Award for defensive excellence at first base in 2007.[20]

In June Pujols went on the 15-day disabled list for only the second time in his career. Pujols won his seventh career NL Player of the Week award for Aug. 18–24.[21] He got his 1,500th career hit on August 30, against the Houston Astros.[22] His 30th home run on September 1, and his 100th RBI on September 11, made him the first player in MLB history to start his career with eight seasons of at least 30 HR, 100 RBIs, a .300 BA, and 99 runs.

In 2008, he also led the NL in two lesser-known sabermetric categories: VORP (98.6), runs created (160), and in OPS+ (190).

On October 13, Pujols elected to have surgery on his troubled right elbow, "a procedure that included decompression and transposition of the ulnar nerve" but not the more invasive Tommy John surgery to relieve persistent pain.[23]

Pujols won a number of awards for 2008, including the Players Choice National League Outstanding Player of the Year[24], and Players Choice Player of the Year[25][26] (his second Player of the Year Award, having also won in 2003; he joined Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds as two-time winners). Pujols was also named The Sporting News Player of the Year for the second time in his career.[27] On October 25, Pujols was named the 2008 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award for the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement, and the individual's contribution to his team.[28]

Pujols won the Fielding Bible Award for defensive excellence at first base for the third consecutive year.[29] For the third time in four years, Pujols was named NL Most Valuable Player in the annual Internet Baseball Awards,[30] a poll conducted by Baseball Prospectus. Pujols also won his fourth Silver Slugger award, having previously won one at 3B in 2001, OF in 2003, and 1B in 2004.[31]

After the season Pujols won his second NL MVP Award.[32] The MVP award continues his streak of finishing in the top nine in the BBWAA voting every year of the first 8 years of his career.[33] He ended the year by winning TYIB's 'Hitter of the Year' Award.[34]

2009

Pujols participating in the 2009 Home Run Derby

Pujols declined to play in the World Baseball Classic for his native Dominican Republic, because of insurance issues relating to his off-season right elbow surgery in October 2008.[35]

In May he hit a memorable upper-deck HR off the "Big Mac Land" sign in left field, causing the 'I" in "Big" to be knocked out.[36]

Pujols was the leading vote-getter for the 2009 MLB All-Star Game, receiving the highest number of votes in NL history thus far.[37][38] For the All-Star Game, which took place at his home ballpark of Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Pujols participated in the Home Run Derby and caught President Barack Obama's ceremonial first pitch before the All-Star Game.

The 2009 season marked the ninth consecutive season since the start of his career that he has reached 100 or more RBI and 30 or more doubles, and the fifth time he has hit 40+ home runs and won his first home run title. In 2009 Pujols also played his 1,000th game at first base[33] and also hit his 40th double of the season, making him the second player in major league history to hit 40 doubles and 40 home runs in three separate seasons (2003, 2004, 2009), joining Lou Gehrig and was a league leader in a variety of offensive categories.

Pujols tied a club record with his 10th multi-home run game of the year.[39], the 33rd time in his career in a 5–1 victory, Sept. 9, (#46 and #47), raising his league-leading slugging percentage to his highest ever (.698) at so late in a season.[40]

Later that year he was awarded the Sporting News "MLB Player of the Decade".[41][42]

Following the season, Pujols won the Sporting News "MLB Player of the Year" award for the second consecutive year, and his third (2003) overall. He is just the third player in the history of the award to win in consecutive seasons. Boston Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams won the award in 1941–1942, and Cincinnati Reds second baseman Joe Morgan did so in 1975–76.[43]

Pujols was also named the NL MVP, tying Stan Musial as the St. Louis Cardinals' leader in that category.[44]

He also had surgery to remove five bone spurs removed from his troublesome right elbow.[45][46]

2010

Pujols homered twice on Opening Day (April 5) and later surpassed Eddie Mathews' old record (370 in 1952–1961) for most home runs in his first 10 years.[47]

Personal life

Pujols married his wife, Deidre, on January 1, 2000. They have four children, Isabella (Deidre's daughter, from a previous relationship), Albert Jr., Sophia, and Ezra[48]. Albert and his wife are active in the cause of people with Down syndrome, as Isabella was born with this condition. He has taken part-ownership in Patrick's Restaurant in Maryland Heights, Missouri. The remodeled restaurant was re-opened as Pujols 5 in 2006.[49]

Pujols is close friends with second baseman Plácido Polanco, a former teammate with the St. Louis Cardinals. Pujols is godfather to Polanco's 3-year-old son, Ismael.[50] Polanco and Pujols played on opposite teams in the 2006 World Series.

In 2007 Pujols became a U.S. citizen,[51] scoring a perfect 100 on his citizenship test.[52] Later that year Upper Deck Authenticated announced it had signed Pujols to an exclusive autographed memorabilia agreement.

In 2008, Pujols agreed to help bring a MLS franchise to St. Louis by using his reputation and a large financial investment.[53]

Pujols and his wife are active Christians; his foundation's website states, "In the Pujols family, God is first. Everything else is a distant second."[54]

Pujols Family Foundation

In 2005, Albert and Deidre Pujols launched the Pujols Family Foundation, which is dedicated to "the love, care and development of people with Down syndrome and their families," as well as helping the poor in the Dominican Republic. Pujols has taken several trips to the Dominican Republic, by taking supplies as well as a team of doctors and dentists to the poor who need medical care.[55] The Pujols Family Foundation also holds an annual golf tournament in which members from the Cardinals and other people play golf to raise money to send dentists to the Dominican Republic.[56]

A new center for adults with Down syndrome that will bear his name ("Albert Pujols Wellness Center for Adults with Down's Syndrome") is scheduled to open in November 2009 in Chesterfield, Missouri.[57] He was there when it was launched on November 18, 2009.[58][59]

KFUO controversy

In 2010, KFUO-FM, a classical music radio station serving the St. Louis community for over 60 years, was given permission to change formats to a contemporary Christian station. Albert and Deidre helped finance the switch-over by helping contribute or raise $2 million dollars for the new station. The format change was widely derided in the St. Louis area and opposed by individuals, prominent Lutheran leaders, organizations such as the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and politicians from both sides of the aisle, including Republican Senator Kit Bond and Democratic Representative William Lacy Clay, Jr..[60]. Although many contemporary Christian music stations exist in St. Louis, KFUO was the only classical music station in the area, and the station's departure has been widely seen as having a negative effect on the cultural offerings in the area. Pujols has yet to comment publicly on the controversy, and he has not responded to charges that he is trying to force his religious beliefs on an unwilling community.

Accomplishments

Pujols is widely considered to be one of the greatest players in modern Major League Baseball; this is due in part to his impressive accrual of statistics and records before the age of 30. Nearing the end of the 2009 season, Pujols currently ranks within the top 15 players in major league history in four statistical categories: on-base percentage (twelfth), slugging percentage (fourth), on-base plus slugging (OPS; fourth), and adjusted OPS (tied for sixth). He also ranks in the top 500 players in major league history in a variety of statistical categories (see below), and is a three-time MVP.

From 2001 to 2005, Pujols hit 201 home runs, second all-time for the most hit in a player's first five seasons. By 2009, he had reached the 350-homer plateau at the age of 29—the third-youngest to do so—and surpassed Ralph Kiner's record for most home runs in his first nine seasons. In so doing, Pujols became the first player to hit 30 or more home runs in the first nine seasons of his career, as well the second player to have 100 or more RBIs in the same timespan.

Pujols holds the Cardinals' franchise record for most career grand slams; he broke the record of nine previously held by Stan Musial.[61] Musial and Pujols are also two of only four players in history to have a career batting average above .330 and less than 500 strikeouts at the time of their 300th home runs (Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio).

In his first 5,000 career at bats, Pujols had amassed 372 doubles, 358 home runs, and 14 triples for a total of 744 extra-base hits, the most in NL history,[62] and is the second player in Major League Baseball to post nine consecutive seasons with 30 doubles, a .300 batting average, 30 home runs, and 100 runs batted in or better (Lou Gehrig). He has scored 100 or more runs in eight of his nine seasons. He currently has eight career walk-off home runs.[63] With his 129th RBI in 2009, he passed "Sunny Jim" Bottomley for third place in Cardinals' history in a career with 1,106. Only Enos Slaughter (1,148) and Stan Musial (1,951) have more.[64]

In the field, Pujols has set the Cardinals' franchise record for the most assists by a first baseman in a single game (seven). In 2009, he also set the National League record for assists by a first baseman in a season (182), and in the last game of the 2009 season, he broke Bill Buckner's 1985 major league mark of 184 with his 185th assist. Keith Hernandez held the previous Cardinals' record with 146 assists in 1979, and Mark Grace held the previous NL record with 181 in 1990.[65][66]

In spite of his accomplishments, Pujols has said he doesn't play solely for the numbers. "I don't play for numbers. I play first of all to glorify God and to accomplish in this game what everybody wants to accomplish, which is getting to the World Series and coming up with a win at the end. Those are the things that I really try to focus on and try to make sure that I do every day for the rest of my career."[67]

Awards and honors

Award / Honor Time(s) Date(s)
NL All-Star 8 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
NL Player of the Month 5 May 2003, June 2003, April 2006, April 2009, June 2009
NL Silver Slugger 5[68] 2001 (3B), 2003 (OF), 2004 (1B), 2008 (1B), 2009 (1B)
Fielding Bible Award 4[69] 2006 (1b), 2007 (1b), 2008 (1b), 2009 (1b)
TSN Player of the Year 3[43] 2003, 2008, 2009
NL Outstanding Player (Players Choice Award) 3[70] 2003, 2008, 2009
ESPY Awards Best MLB Player 3[71] 2005, 2006, 2009
NL Most Valuable Player 3[44] 2005, 2008, 2009
Player of Year Award (Players Choice Award) 3 2003, 2008, 2009[72][73]
Hank Aaron Award 2 2003, 2009[74]
World Series champion 1 2006
TSN Player of the Decade 1 2009
NL Batting Champion 1 2003
NL Home Run Champion 1 2009
NL Gold Glove Award 1 2006 (1B)
NLCS MVP 1 2004
Roberto Clemente Award 1[75] 2008
This Year In Baseball's "Hitter of the Year" Award 1[34] 2008
Rookie of the Year 1 2001

Career statistics

Yr. Team Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB OPS+
2009 St. Louis NL 160 568 124 186 45 1 47 135 16 4 115 64 .327 .443 .658 1.101 374 23 9 0 8 44 188
TOTALS  (9 yrs.) 1,399 5,146 1,071 1,717 387 14 366 1,112 61 30 811 570 .334 .427 .628 1.055 3,230 180 69 1 55 198 172

Statistics current through October 4, 2009.[33][a]
Italic in 2009 = led NL.

2010 record here.

Footnotes

See also

References

  1. ^ Nate Silver (2006). "Baseball's most valuable players". ESPN.com.
  2. ^ Hal Bodley (2006-10-31). "Cardinals slugger Pujols earns perfect score in annual Elias player rankings". USA Today.
  3. ^ Stark, Jayson (2008-04-24). "Identifying the most feared hitter in the bigs". ESPN.com.
  4. ^ Active Leaders & Records for Batting Average (Baseball-Reference.com)
  5. ^ Active Leaders & Records for Slugging % (Baseball-Reference.com)
  6. ^ Active Leaders & Records for Home Runs (Baseball-Reference.com)
  7. ^ Top 100 players of the decade
  8. ^ Albert Pujols Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights
  9. ^ Edes, Gordon (2006). "One that got away: Scout recalls Red Sox passing on Pujols". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  10. ^ Edes, Gordon (October 11, 2006). "One that got away: Scout recalls Red Sox passing on Pujols". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2009-08-04. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ JockBio.com > Sports – Albert Pujols Biography
  12. ^ "St. Louis' Pujols named NL Rookie of the Year". USA Today. November 11, 2001. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  13. ^ "Pujols led Cards with 9 RBI in NLCS". ESPN.com. October 22, 2004. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  14. ^ Shpigel, Ben (November 16, 2005). "Pujols's Excellence Finally Earns Him an M.V.P." New York Times. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  15. ^ Leach, Matthew (October 15, 2005). "Pujols keeps Cards' season alive". MLB. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  16. ^ http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051018&content_id=1253764&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl
  17. ^ AP (2006-09-27). "Three-run Pujols blast helps Cards snap 7-game skid". ESPN.com.
  18. ^ AP (2006-09-29). "Cards power past Brewers, extend narrow division lead". ESPN.com.
  19. ^ a b "Cards roll past Tigers for first Series win since '82". ESPN.com. October 27, 2006. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  20. ^ Cards snag Fielding Bible Awards: Molina, Pujols recognized as best defenders at their positions (Nov. 2, 2007)
  21. ^ Pujols wins NL Player of the Week: Cardinals slugger hits .579 with 10 RBIs to earn award
  22. ^ Looper rocked by Astros in Houston
  23. ^ "Pujols has surgery on right elbow". MLB.com. 2008-10-13.
  24. ^ "Players pick Pujols as NL's best: Slugger beats out Chipper, Howard as Outstanding Player". MLB.com. 2008.10.21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ "Albert Pujols wins Player of the Year Award". Yahoo. 2008-10-24.
  26. ^ "Albert Pujols named Player of the Year". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 2008-10-24.
  27. ^ "Albert Pujols named SN's Player of the Year". Sporting News. 2008.10.22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ "Pujols wins Clemente Award: Cardinals' first baseman honored for play, off-field efforts". MLB.com. 2008-10-25. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
  29. ^ Goold, Derrick (2008-10-30). "Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina snag Fielding awards". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 2008-10-30. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  30. ^ Greg Spira (2008.11.05). "The 2008 Internet Baseball Awards: NL Results and Wrap-Up". Baseball Prospectus. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ Derrick Goold (2008-11-13). "Ryan Ludwick, Albert Pujols win Silver Slugger bats". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  32. ^ Matthew Leach (November 17, 2008). "Crowning Achievement: Pujols NL MVP: Cards slugger's dazzling season helps club exceed expectations". MLB.com. Retrieved November 17, 2008.
  33. ^ a b c "Albert Pujols player page". Baseball-Reference.com.
  34. ^ a b "Pujols named TYIB's Hitter of the Year: Slugger adds honor to list that also includes NL MVP, Clemente". MLB.com. 2008-12-15. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
  35. ^ "Pujols won't participate in Classic: Slugger unable to get insurance for surgically repaired elbow". MLB.com. 2009-02-16. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
  36. ^ Showdown sweep: Cards finish Cubs; Wainwright nearly posts CG; Pujols, Barden rip long balls MLB.com (May 22, 2009)
  37. ^ "Trio of Cards heading to All-Star Game: Molina, Franklin first-timers; Pujols the top overall vote-getter". MLB.com. 2009-07-05. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  38. ^ "Pujols sets NL All-Star vote record". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 2009-07-06. Retrieved 2009-07-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  39. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals GAME NOTES" (PDF). MLB.com. 2009-09-11. p. 1. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  40. ^ "With two homers, Pujols continues to roll: First baseman's huge day backs Wainwright in 18th victory". MLB.com. 2009-09-09. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  41. ^ "Sporting News' MLB Athlete of the Decade: Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals". Sporting News. 2009-09-24. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  42. ^ "Pujols is TSN's Player of the Decade: Slugger topped a .300 average in each of his nine seasons". MLB.com. 2009-09-24.
  43. ^ a b "Sporting News names Albert Pujols 2009 Major League Baseball Player of the Year: Fellow players choose St. Louis Cardinals star first baseman for a second straight season". Sporting News. 2009-10-22. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  44. ^ a b "Third time is charming for MVP Pujols: Cardinals slugger unanimous selection for NL honors". MLB.com. 2009-11-24.
  45. ^ "Pujols' elbow surgery a 'success': Cardinals All-Star expected to make complete recovery". MLB.com. 2009-10-21. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
  46. ^ Brian Walton (2009-10-20). "Pujols Elbow Surgery Wednesday". Scout.com.
  47. ^ "Pujols solves Rodriguez, surpasses Mathews". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. April 12, 2010. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  48. ^ Strauss, Joe (February 12, 2010). "Pujols Five Becomes Pujols Six". http://www.stltoday.com: St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 19 February 2010. {{cite web}}: External link in |location= (help)
  49. ^ "Pujols Swings, and it's a grand...opening". St. Louis Post Dispatch. Retrieved 2006-09-02. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  50. ^ Enrique Rojas (2006-10-23). "Pujols is godfather to Polanco's son". ESPN.com.
  51. ^ Leach, Matthew (2007-02-08). "Pujols officially becomes U.S. citizen". MLB.com.
  52. ^ AP (2007). "Pujols officially becomes U.S. citizen". Daily Vidette online.
  53. ^ "Pujols joins St. Louis' push for MLS expansion club". Sporting News. 2008-11-18. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
  54. ^ "About Our Faith". Pujols Family Foundation. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  55. ^ "Mission Statement". Pujols Family Foundation. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
  56. ^ http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080908&content_id=3439416&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl Pujols' golf event
  57. ^ "Medical center to bear Pujols' name: Slugger has been an advocate for Down syndrome patients". MLB.com. 2009-08-27.
  58. ^ "Pujols helps launch Down syndrome center in Chesterfield". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 2009-11-19. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  59. ^ Photo Gallery, 11 photos
  60. ^ [1]
  61. ^ "Hoffpauir follows Pujols' lead for Cards: Second baseman wins it after slugger's 350th homer in eighth". MLB.com. 2009-07-04. Retrieved 2009-08-18.
  62. ^ "Pujols' 5,000 At-Bats into History". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 2009-08-21. Retrieved 2009-08-23. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  63. ^ "Pujols' heroics give Cards walk-off win: Greene's game-tying home run sets up slugger's big blow". MLB.com. 2009-08-29.
  64. ^ Rick Hummel (2009-09-20). "Pujols ties Bottomley for No. 3 in RBI". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 2009-09-21. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  65. ^ "Pujols sets first baseman assist mark: St. Louis slugger passes Buckner for all-time record". MLB.com. 2009-10-04.
  66. ^ "Pujols sets NL assists mark at first base: Cardinals slugger breaks season record with 181st in eighth". MLB.com. 2009-09-27.
  67. ^ "Pujols making his mark on MLB history: Clearly the player of his era, slugger just focuses on winning". MLB.com. 2009-09-24.
  68. ^ Pujols rakes in fifth Silver Slugger: Cards bopper represents NL at first base for third time (MLB.com), 11/12/09
  69. ^ Fielding Bible Award (Oct. 30, 2009)
  70. ^ Pujols wins peers vote as NL's Outstanding Player ('St. Louis Post-Dispatch'), 10/29/09
  71. ^ "Pujols wins ESPY for Best Baseball Player: Slugger beats out Halladay, Howard, Pedroia, K-Rod". MLB.com. 2009-07-20.
  72. ^ "Pujols given top honor by his peers: Slugger named Player of the Year by Players Association". MLB.com. 2009-10-30.
  73. ^ "Pujols wins Player of the Year award from MLBPA". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 2009-10-30. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  74. ^ "Aaron Award is latest hardware for Pujols: Cardinals MVP candidate already earned Players Choice nod". MLB.com. 2009-11-01.
  75. ^ Pujols Wins Clemente Award: Cardinals' first baseman honored for play, off-field efforts
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