View Full Version : Albert Pujols Home Runs
flota89
06-17-2009, 06:01 PM
Last night Albert Pujols hit his 23rd home run of the early year. He is projected to hit 57 this year. That would be a career high (49 is his highest now). Do you think Albert will get 50 or more this year?
Honus Wagner Rules
06-17-2009, 06:05 PM
Sure, why not?
I hope so. 50 is so much better than 49 because it has a zero on the end.
baseball junkie
06-17-2009, 09:39 PM
This is merely a function of my age but I remember when hitting 50 home runs in a season meant something special. In the middle and late 1980s, the near misses of Mike Schmidt, Mark McGwire, Kevin Mitchell, George Bell and Andre Dawson were awe inspiring.
Before I was alive, George Foster had swatted 52 in '77 and it was "forever" until someone did it again. But the number has been surpassed so many times since then that it just has no meaning to me. I will not at all be surprised if Pujols hits 50+ home runs this year. At the same time, I will not at all care. There is something fundamentally sad about that and how much the game has changed and has been degraded by the PED era. (No, I'm not suggesting Pujols is on anything.)
I'd much rather see Pujols put together a nice long hitting streak or take a shot at a .400 BA than aim for the fences every AB.
STLCards2
06-17-2009, 09:41 PM
His HR/AB rate is a bit higher than his career averages at this point. I bet a combination of more IBB and a slight slowdown in HR/AB will keep him a tad short or right at 50. That is okay, since his BA and OB% is likely to rise a bit during the second half too. Either way, he is on pace for a pretty darn great season again.
Like Zoso eluded too - in a practical sense 49 vs. 50 doesn't matter much - Just a pretty number.
I hope he does hit 50+, then we wont have to worry that someone like Ryan Howard who plays good for a single month will steal another MVP from him.
I rekon he'll hit high 40's to low 50's to go along with a .340~ BA and slugging above .650 again.
MarthaT
06-18-2009, 06:07 AM
I absolutely think he will
rockin500
06-18-2009, 06:25 AM
Sure, why not?
he's going to get pitched around again.
JRH11
06-18-2009, 08:21 AM
This is merely a function of my age but I remember when hitting 50 home runs in a season meant something special. In the middle and late 1980s, the near misses of Mike Schmidt, Mark McGwire, Kevin Mitchell, George Bell and Andre Dawson were awe inspiring.
Before I was alive, George Foster had swatted 52 in '77 and it was "forever" until someone did it again. But the number has been surpassed so many times since then that it just has no meaning to me. I will not at all be surprised if Pujols hits 50+ home runs this year. At the same time, I will not at all care. There is something fundamentally sad about that and how much the game has changed and has been degraded by the PED era. (No, I'm not suggesting Pujols is on anything.)
I'd much rather see Pujols put together a nice long hitting streak or take a shot at a .400 BA than aim for the fences every AB.
Agree on the .400 comment. The problem is that the Cardinals are not scoring much, and for them to contend, Albert must put up big power numbers (while being walked twice a night).
Now, if Ludwick gets going, and they get an impact bat in the middle of the line-up, then maybe .400 becomes a legitimate goal.
gman5431
06-18-2009, 08:45 AM
Dont worry about Albert losing the MVP. For him not to win it this year, thats exactly what would have to happen - he would have to lose it. Unless he gets hurt or goes into the first prolonged slump of his illustrious career, he is a shoe in for the award.
Back to the topic - i have always thought he was too good of a hitter to amass 50-60 home runs, if that makes sense. With that being said, he seems to have added some more power this year and has a real shot at 50. I think he comes up a little short because he isnt your prototipical power hitter (he hits .330 plus also).
G Man
Berkman#17
06-18-2009, 12:03 PM
I hope Pujols doesn't hit another one the rest of the year. (I don't own him in fantasy)
But seriously, I see him around 45.
Honus Wagner Rules
06-18-2009, 12:43 PM
When Pujols hit 49 HR in 2006 he played just 143 games. Obviously,. Pujols had 50+ HR power in 2006.
RedsoxMetsFan123
06-18-2009, 01:38 PM
If Pujols played a bit more in 06, he would of had 50. I think he'll get it this year in the pace hes in.
I think it really depends on how the #2 and #4 hitters support Pujols. If he is consistently coming up to the plate w/ first base open, he won't see many pitches to hit as the season progresses. However, if he has a good support cast around him in the lineup, pitchers will have to throw in-or-around the strike zone.
Another factor is the fatigue issue. The past few seasons, it seems like Pujols is just plain out-of-gas at times and needs to sit more than most (relatively speaking).
Pujols does tend to start the season quickly (owning the april HR record being an example), and while he doesnt exactly drop off in the second half, his HR totals are usually less while his BA, OBP and SLG tend to creep up.