This just in...Albert is good

[STLCards2]

Albert Pujols hit three homeruns today including a two-run game-winning homerun in the bottom of the 9th inning to defeat the Reds after the Cardinal bullpen blew another lead. this gives Albert 8 homeruns and 17 RBIs to begin the season.

The question is...just how good can Albert get?

[Pghfan987]

I would say the best player ever, but I would get yelled at for jumping to such a conclusion. We should "wait and see", they would say.

This year (if I can predict this season), not much would surprise me. 70 homers, bat .350 and win a batting title, or slug .700. These are not necessarily my predictions, but with Phat Albert, it certainly is possible.

He has the best start to a career in baseball history. There is no reason to believe that he does not have the POTENTIAL to become the best ever. Will he? "Wait and see."

Mark

[Gashouse6]

I would say the best player ever, but I would get yelled at for jumping to such a conclusion. We should "wait and see", they would say.

This year (if I can predict this season), not much would surprise me. 70 homers, bat .350 and win a batting title, or slug .700. These are not necessarily my predictions, but with Phat Albert, it certainly is possible.

He has the best start to a career in baseball history. There is no reason to believe that he does not have the POTENTIAL to become the best ever. Will he? "Wait and see."

Mark
If he continues without injury, Albert has the stats to be the best hitter ever.

[Taco De Muerte]

If he keeps hitting like this, he might have 50 hr's by next weekend.

[geezer]

If it wasnt because of Barroids, Albert Pujols would have won his 3rd straight MVP trophy last season, but right now, he will win at least 2 o more of those trophies and I hope also a bunch of World Series Rings in the future, I hope he stills belting more jacks of the bew left field pole.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

Apparently they thought the first two inside fastballs pulled for HR's were a fluke. Decided to challenge him inside one more time. Smart move ! Albert's DA MAN.

[ESPNFan]

Well I know less than 5 full seasons is not much to make big assumptions on. But with that aside, If Albert keeps this up A-Rod will have a relatively short stay as the HR King of the MLB. This guy has that once in a generation type of hitter look about him.

[geezer]

Well I know less than 5 full seasons is not much to make big assumptions on. But with that aside, If Albert keeps this up A-Rod will have a relatively short stay as the HR King of the MLB. This guy has that once in a generation type of hitter look about him.

And also, he is named a possible triple crown winner by all the baseball analysts, and i would count on it as well.

[The Big C]

Man, can't they put this guy in some other division?

[Sultan_1895-1948]

This guy has that once in a generation type of hitter look about him.

Yeah, but once his career is done, "stat guy" will devalue his hitting numbers because he plays first base :rolleyes:

[Dasperp]

He has the best start to a career in baseball history

I'd say Williams' first five years were better, but if only Williams beats you than you're pretty good.

Yeah, but once his career is done, "stat guy" will devalue his hitting numbers because he plays first base

Why wait till his career is over? I have no problem calling him the best hitter in the game today, but when you're talking about the best overall player positional adjustment has to come into play.

[Astro]

Best hitter in the majors...

Has a chance to be the best player ever... period

What I would love to see in a few years, Albert Pujols vs Felix Hernandez

[Astro]

Man, can't they put this guy in some other division?
Yes.. please

[banda_bou]

Then the question comes in: Is he REALLY REALLY only 25? Hmmm...

But so far his stats are amazing. Crazy.

[Captain Cold Nose]

That wasn't the first time Pujols went deep three times against the Reds. he also did it over Labor Day weekend a few seasons back.
This morning one of the radio guys on the Cincinnati sports talk radio station was wondering how much longer Pujols was going to start seeing so many strikes, with the Cardinals not being as deep as they have been in past seasons. He's probably going to walk about 200 times this year.
While I don't like how he kills my adopted Reds, I like the fact I get to see such a great hitter so often.

[Baseball Guru]

Apparently they thought the first two inside fastballs pulled for HR's were a fluke. Decided to challenge him inside one more time. Smart move ! Albert's DA MAN.

lol.. Good point:)

He is as nasty as they come.. Barring injury, there's no reason why he can't be the best player ever...

[Mattingly]

Apparently they thought the first two inside fastballs pulled for HR's were a fluke. Decided to challenge him inside one more time. Smart move ! Albert's DA MAN.
Anyone who challenges an elite slugger after he's hit wo HRs should consider getting their head examined.

Never *EVER* do that with the game on the line, is my advice. If not scrounging for wins in April, they'll have to do so in September. What were the Cubs thinking?
Man, can't they put this guy in some other division?
Gee, I heard there's an opening at 1B at Yankee Stadium. Hey, problem solved! :D :crazy :p :laugh

[The Big C]

It wasn't the Cubs playing them. And moving Albert to the Yanks is fine with me.

[geezer]

Oh please, what a lame excuse telling me that his stats will devalue because he is first base, it doesn't make sense to me, you can put Pujols on any other position and he will rack up the same numbers.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Oh please, what a lame excuse telling me that his stats will devalue because he is first base, it doesn't make sense to me, you can put Pujols on any other position and he will rack up the same numbers.
Offensively, sure. But the point behind that line of thinking is the defensive value of the player, an important part of the player's overall ability, is lesser for a first baseman than for a shortstop or catcher. It doesn't mean you're supposed to detract from his hitting, but in term of being a complete player some sneer at first basemen because they don't need to do as much on the field.

[Metal Ed]

If he keeps this up for 10 more years he will seriously challenge Lou Gehrig for the #1 all-time spot at first base. We are indeed lucky to be watching him.

Scratch that, I'm not lucky. The guy terrifies me every time I see him with a bat in his hand.

[KHenry14]

I'm wondering when Albert will start getting the Bonds treatment and get walked all the time? Rolen is a good hitter, but Albert is playing in a league of his own right now, and I'd rather take my chances with anybody else besides Albert.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

Oh please, what a lame excuse telling me that his stats will devalue because he is first base, it doesn't make sense to me, you can put Pujols on any other position and he will rack up the same numbers.

I agree geezer, but the stat guys seem to believe that because first base is such an offensive position, that Pujols' hitting numbers have less value than if he was playing somewhere else. I can't stand those type of adjustments.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

I'm wondering when Albert will start getting the Bonds treatment and get walked all the time? Rolen is a good hitter, but Albert is playing in a league of his own right now, and I'd rather take my chances with anybody else besides Albert.

There is the lefty/righty issue. Althought Albert should be as feared as anyone, he's a right handed batter, seeing a majority of right handed pitching. This of course shouldn't matter when facing "The Machine," but it might just cause them to try and be a little more "careful" when facing him, rather than just giving him an IBB.

[Francoeurstein]

He probably will be able to beat Hank's 755 if Barroid doesn't. :( :( :(

[BoofBonser26]

Then the question comes in: Is he REALLY REALLY only 25? Hmmm...

But so far his stats are amazing. Crazy.
I'm sick of all this. He's that young (actually 26, born 1/16/80). He's REALLY that good. Get over it. You're watching a once-in-a-lifetime player.

That third home run swing was sweet. Into the unfinished upper deck. Amazing.

This year (if I can predict this season), not much would surprise me. 70 homers
If Shelton doesn't beat him to it. :laugh

Keep it up, Pujols. I've adopted the Cardinals as my NL team because of him since '03. Hope for many more years of that.

How does Pujols fare defensively compared to other 1B-men? I think being a top-notch 1B would be enough to make him a "complete" player, as long as he turns in another 16+ steal season. No question he's already the best hitter in the game, with the potential to be the best hitter ever.

[Dasperp]

I agree geezer, but the stat guys seem to believe that because first base is such an offensive position, that Pujols' hitting numbers have less value than if he was playing somewhere else. I can't stand those type of adjustments

Of course they have less value. It is much easier to find a good hitting 1B than a good hitting SS. Therefore, Pujols' value over a likely alternative is less. This doesn't make him any less of a hitter, but it severely reduces his value. Now, if you want to make the argument that he is capable of playing 3B or LF and we should measure him against the average or replacement players at those positions then that is fine. But don't tell me that a 1B like Pujols is more valuable than a slightly worse hitting SS or C. Let's look at it this way: The best 3B in the game (A-Rod) and an average first basemen would be more productive than the best 1B (Pujols) and an average 3B. It gets much more extreme if you had a hitter of A-Rod's caliber at SS, CF, or C.

[banda_bou]

I'm sick of all this. He's that young (actually 26, born 1/16/80). He's REALLY that good. Get over it. You're watching a once-in-a-lifetime player.

He sure is bald for a 26-year old though....:eek: :)

[Solair Wright]

Like all baseball players, I think he'll need some rest eventually. And check ESPN's page on him: they said he's projected, if he keeps this up, with 108 HRs. That's not humanely possible.

[BoofBonser26]

He sure is bald for a 26-year old though....:eek: :)
Very logical.

[STLCards2]

Very logical.

I am 25 and have been balder than Albert for 3 years. My wife doesn't mind though!

By the way, every piece of evidence that I have seen points to Albert really being 26, including an FBI visa check following 9-11.

[Taco De Muerte]

He sure is bald for a 26-year old though....:eek: :)

Lots of young people have receding hairlines. A good friend of mine who is 19has a receding hairline similar to pujols.

[Chisox73]

Here's my take on this.

I seriously believe that Pujols will hit at least 50 this year.

From what I remember many Cards fans telling me last season when I went down to Busch,they tell me that once the weather heats up and that wind starts blowing out on a daily basis at the new park,Busch III could easily become the world's largest wind tunnel.

Those balls will fly out of there like nobody's business.

[geezer]

And the best, part, he is a hard worker and he doesnt slow down aor get too confident, and always wants to win badly every game by any means.

[BoofBonser26]

Well, he got walked three times today, once intentionally. I'd hate to see him walked 200+ times like Bonds. We'd be robbed of the chance to see him hit. :(

[jpenrod]

He sure is bald for a 26-year old though....:eek: :)

Seriously, if you are going to throw these accusations out there then at least have something more to back it up than a receeding hairline. Go to any college campus and walk around campus and you will see guys that are younger than Pujols with less hair. Just deal with the fact that he is a great hitter and enjoy it.

[Mattingly]

He sure is bald for a 26-year old though....:eek: :)
Meanwhile, there are men who are 70 who have a full head of hair. Is Albert older than them?

[Captain Cold Nose]

Meanwhile, there are men who are 70 who have a full head of hair. Is Albert older than them?
Wow, Matt. You still have all your hair? What's your secret?

[BoofBonser26]

Thank you Mattingly and jpenrod.