Albert Pujols #5

Angel Stadium hosted a charity game in September 2015, where Clayton Kershaw partnered with Whiffle Ball. In Chesterfield, MO, Albert Pujols went towards the Wellness Center for Adults with Down Syndrome, donating $70,000 from his Major League Baseball Players Trust award. He also visits the Dominican Republic annually, donating resources and time. As part of his ongoing efforts to raise awareness, he teamed up with singer/songwriter Nick Jonas for postgame benefit concerts. In 2017, he created the Slavery Out Strike campaign after learning that modern slavery is the fastest-growing criminal industry in the world. He is also active in the Slavery Out Strike Foundation. Albert Pujols hosts the annual Pujols Albert Celebrity Golf Classics to benefit the Pujols Albert Family Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to reaching out to impoverished families in the Dominican Republic and providing development, care, and love for people with Down Syndrome. During the 2016 offseason, he visited the new Shalva National Children’s Center in Israel, which is renowned for its state-of-the-art care and outreach to children with special needs. In recognition of his outstanding play on the field and tireless work in the community, he won the Roberto Clemente Award for Philanthropic Efforts in 2008. On February 7, 2007, he became a U.S. Citizen at a ceremony at the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse in St. Louis. At the age of 16, he moved from the Dominican Republic to Kansas City with his father. He earned a baseball scholarship to Maple Woods Community College in Kansas City, Missouri. He earned all-state honors in baseball twice and graduated from Fort Osage High School in Independence, Missouri in 1998. He was also nominated by his teammates in 2004 and 2005. He played for the Dominican Republic in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Chris Berman’s nickname for Albert Pujols, as selected by voters on ESPN’s website, is “Phat Albert.” Other nicknames for him include “The Machine” and “Albert Prince.” After the St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series in 2011, he was recognized with his own Wheaties cereal box cover. He currently resides in St. Louis with his five children: Ezra, A.J., Alberto, Ester, Sophia, and Isabella. Originally signed by the St. Louis Cardinals scout Dave Karaff, he grew up watching Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. His favorite sport after baseball is basketball.

2021

In his last regular season home game against his former club, he only managed to get one hit in the series (1-for-7). Since departing the Cardinals and becoming a National League player at Busch Stadium, he returned to St. Louis on September 7th and hit a home run off J.A. Happ in his first at-bat. Throughout his career, including the COVID-19 shortened season, he hit a career-low of three doubles. On September 28th, he was placed on the injured list due to COVID-19. He was part of a 22-1 rout against the Dodgers on July 10th, where he collected a multi-home run game. He climbed to 11th place on the all-time leaderboard at Colorado on July 17th. With the Dodgers, he batted as a pinch hitter with an OPS of .955 (14-37) and a slash line of .541/.415/.378. In 85 games, he had 12 home runs and 85 RBIs. With the Dodgers, he had an OPS of .939 and hit 13 home runs with a slash line of .603/.336/.294. Throughout his 14th season, he had a batting average of .236 with 17 home runs and 99 RBIs. He also tied his career-low of 17 home runs, which was the lowest total in a non-COVID season. He played a combined total of 109 games between both LA clubs.

Franco (45.042) in the 2003 NLDS Game 4. In addition, he surpassed Manny Mota (40) in the same game to become the oldest Dodger in franchise history to record a postseason hit. Since 2014, he has recorded his first postseason hit at the age of 41.268, starting Game 3 of the NLDS against San Francisco and going 2-for-2. In the Wild Card Game against St. Louis, he served as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the ninth inning, flying out to deep center and going 0-for-1.

2020

Angels completed their ninth season in the big league, finishing 20th. They connected for six home runs in the season, placing them fifth on the all-time career home runs list with 662. On September 18th, they homered twice against Texas, with the first home run becoming career home run number 661 for Willie Mays, moving him to fifth place on the all-time list. On August 24th, Alex Rodriguez drove in his 2,087th RBI, passing Craig Biggio to become second on the all-time list. On September 12th, he hit his 669th career double, surpassing Biggio to reach the fifth spot on the all-time hit list. On September 2nd, with his double, he reached a total of 5,900 career bases, becoming the fifth player to achieve this milestone. On each Opening Day of his seasons, he joined the likes of Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, Stan Musial, and Hank Aaron in reaching this mark. Frank Robinson, Eddie Murray, Carl Yastrzemski, and Pete Rose also joined this esteemed group.

2019

On July 27, 2019, both Mark McGwire and Frank Robinson joined the exclusive club of players who have tallied 100 home runs in a ballpark. This milestone was achieved at Angel Stadium. They became the sixth pair of players from multiple teams to reach the record of at least 200 home runs. In June, McGwire also notched his 200th home run as an Angel. On June 20th, Adrian Beltre marked his 3,167th career hit, establishing a new record for hits by a foreign-born player and becoming the 20th player in history to reach this milestone. According to Elias, Beltre is just the third player ever to reach the 2,000 RBI.plateau, joining Alex Rodriguez and Hank Aaron. On May 9th, Beltre drove in his 2,000th career RBI. In the 2018 season, Beltre saw an increase in his numbers in nearly every offensive category, including OBP, slugging percentage, games played, runs, walks, RBI, home runs, doubles, and hits. This marked his 19th season in the big leagues.

2018

Surgery on his left knee caused him to miss six games during the following season. Additionally, on August 29th, he was placed on the 10-day injured list for the knee surgery. He missed the final 29 games of the season. In the history of baseball, only Frank Robinson and Eddie Murray have joined the exclusive club of players who hit at least 15 home runs in each of their first 18 seasons in the big leagues. He also became the 12th player in franchise history to reach the 1,000-hit mark. In their first 18 seasons, Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Beltran, Orlando Cabrera, Carlos Lee, Fred McGriff, Vladimir Guerrero, Frank Robinson, and Dave Winfield joined him as the only players to amass 1,000 hits in both the major and minor leagues. On August 10th, he tallied his 1,000th hit as an Angel. Alex Rodriguez and Stan Musial also reached the milestone of 3,000 hits in their first 18 seasons. He became the 12th player and the second player born outside of the United States to reach the 3,000-hit plateau while wearing an Angels uniform. He is the 10th youngest player to reach the 3,000-hit mark at 38 years and 108 days. He singled in the fifth inning at Safeco Field to reach the milestone. He became the 32nd member of the 3,000-hit club and the seventh player to accomplish this feat in his 18th season in the big leagues with the Angels.

2017

He joined the exclusive 600 home run club in his 17th season in the major leagues and his sixth season with the Angels. On June 3rd, he hit his 600th career home run at Angel Stadium against Minnesota, making him the fourth youngest player to achieve this milestone. His 600th home run came as a grand slam off Ervin Santana, making him the first player ever to have their 500th, 600th, or 700th home run as a grand slam, according to STATS. He further solidified his place in baseball history by hitting his 610th career home run on August 22nd, surpassing Sammy Sosa and claiming the eighth spot on the all-time list. This also made him the foreign-born player with the most home runs in baseball history. With a total of 23 home runs for the season, he became only the third player to hit 20+ home runs in 16 of his first 17 seasons, joining the ranks of Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. He led the club with 101 RBIs, ranking ninth in the American League. This marked the 14th time in his career that he reached the century mark in RBIs, making him one of only two players in Major League history, alongside Alex Rodriguez, to achieve this feat. On April 28th, he surpassed Rafael Palmeiro’s record of 1,835 career RBIs for players born outside the U.S.

2016

In August of 2009, Kendrys Morales (33) achieved a significant milestone for the Angels by recording 30 RBI.in a single month, only the 10th time in franchise history. This accomplishment had not been seen since the past and marked the fifth instance in Morales’ career of driving in 30 or more runs in a month, the first since June 2009 (35). He led the Majors in July with an impressive 31 RBI. Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez were among the three players in the league who managed to maintain a batting average of .290 while hitting 15 home runs and driving in 85 RBI.during that period. After a slow start to the opening season, batting .219 with 10 home runs and 33 RBI.in the first 48 games, Morales turned things around and ended up hitting .290 with 21 home runs and 86 RBI.in the last 104 games. This made him the first player to achieve this feat in 14 of his first 16 seasons. He joined the elite group of Alex Rodriguez (15), Hank Aaron (15), and Barry Bonds (14) as the fourth player in history to have 14 campaigns with 30 or more home runs. Morales reached the 30-home-run mark for the 14th time, boosting his career total to 591, which currently ranks ninth on baseball’s all-time list. He also became one of the few players, along with Alex Rodriguez (14 times), Jimmie Foxx (13), Lou Gehrig (13), and Babe Ruth (13), to accumulate 100 RBI.in 13 different seasons. These RBI.were the most he had driven in since 2010. In his fifth season with the Angels and 16th overall in the Majors, Morales finished third in the American League with an impressive tally of 119 RBI.

2015

In 157 matches, 95 runs batted in and 40 homers, 22 two-baggers and 85 runs tallied, while hitting .244 (147-for-602), ranking fourth with the Angels, concluded his fifteenth season in the major leagues.

HOME RUNS.

Throughout baseball history, a total of 14 players have reached the milestone of 560 career home runs. Among them are Ted Williams (521), Frank Thomas (521), Willie McCovey (521), Jimmie Foxx (534), Mickey Mantle (536), Mike Schmidt (548), and Manny Ramirez (560). Mike Trout, with 41 home runs, is currently tied for fifth place in the American League and second in his club. He reached this career milestone during his seventh season. In addition, in 2010, he marked the highest single-season total with 42 home runs. He has achieved this feat seven different times, making him one of only eight players in Major League history to accomplish this. Furthermore, in their first 15 seasons, he is the only player in history to tally 25 or more home runs in 14 of those campaigns.

RBI.

Reached the 90-RBI.mark for the 14th time during career, becoming the fourth player all-time with at least 14, 90-RBI.seasons, joining Hank Aaron (16 times), Babe Ruth (14) and Alex Rodriguez (14)… Is the only player to do so in their first 15 seasons.

FIRST HALF.

Tabbed as the second occurrence of Player A.L. Of the month, Pujols struck out eight times, marking the seventh and eighth times he has struck out at least 13 times in a month since 1914. In June, he posted a .303 batting average with 13 home runs, four doubles, and 30 RBIs (30-for-99) for the Mariners. Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. Were the only teammates to log at least 25 home runs before the All-Star break since 1998. Mike Trout and he were just the fourth pair of teammates to tally at least 26 home runs before the All-Star break, marking the fourth time in his career. He also became the first Angel to earn his 10th career All-Star Game nomination, en route to tallying 56 RBIs and 26 home runs, the fewest by a player since 1914 before the All-Star break.

ALL-STAR GAME AND HOMERUN DERBY.

Joc Pederson fell before the second round of the game, eliminating Kris Bryant and the Cubs in the first round. In the combined rounds of the Home Run Derby, he hit a total of 21 home runs in his career, participating for the fourth time in 2009, 2007, and 2003. He became the 16th player to start as both a first baseman and a fourth baseman for the N.L. And A.L. He started the Midsummer Classic for the eighth time in his career. Miguel Cabrera replaced him as the starting first baseman. This was his 10th career All-Star Game, starting at first base for the A.L. In the All-Star Game with Cincinnati, he went 0-for-2, scoring a run and walking.

MISC.

On July 26th, he stole his 100th career base, joining the ranks of Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt, Reggie Jackson, Frank Robinson, Sammy Sosa, Ken Griffey Jr., Willie Mays, Alex Rodriguez, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Barry Bonds as one of the 12 players in history to have hit 500 home runs and stolen 100 bases.

2014

In third season with Angels, 14-year veteran batted .272 (172/633) with 89 runs, 37 doubles, one triple, 28 home runs and 105 RBI.in 159 games…With 28 home runs, pushed career total to 520, 21st on MLB all-time list…Ted Williams, Willie McCovey and Frank Thomas are tied for 18th with 521 home runs…Hit 499th and 500th career home runs April 22 at Washington (both off RHP Taylor Jordan)…One of 26 MLB players to reach 500 homers, first ever to hit #499 & #500 in same game (also hit #400 at Nationals Park)…According to ELIAS, at 34 years and 96 days, is third youngest player in MLB history to reach 500 home runs…Only player since 1901 with 13 campaigns of 25+ home runs in first 14 seasons of career…12th player in history with 500 home runs, 500 doubles and 1,500 RBI: Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Hank Aaron, Eddie Murray, Willie Mays, Frank Robinson, Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmeiro, Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez…Became one of five players with 12 or more 100 RBI.campaigns before age-35 season: Alex Rodriguez – 14, Jimmie Foxx – 13, Lou Gehrig – 12, Al Simmons – 12….Owns 1,603 RBI.– just third player since 1901 to drive in 1600 runs in first 14 seasons (Lou Gehrig and Al Simmons)…1,603 RBI.rank 33rd on all-time list, six shy of Goose Goslin for 32nd (1609)…Collected career hit 2,500 Sept. 6 at Minnesota…One of 12 MLB players since 1901 to accomplish feat in first 14 seasons…Scored 1,500th career run in third inning Sept. 6…Became 70th player to reach mark, just one of two actives (Alex Rodriguez)…Since 1901, only 10 players have reached mark in age 34 or younger season: Babe Ruth, Alex Rodriguez, Frank Robinson, Mel Ott, Mickey Mantle, Rickey Henderson, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Ty Cobb and Hank Aaron…16th player in MLB history with 2,500 hits, 1,500 runs and 500 home runs and just fourth to do so before age-35 season: (Alex Rodriguez, Hank Aaron and Jimmie Foxx)…With 37 doubles in 2014, his 561 career doubles are tied for 23rd all-time with Jeff Kent and Eddie Murray…Only player since 1901 to tally 550 career doubles in first 14 seasons…2014 marked 12th season of career with 20+ home runs and 30+ doubles, tied with Manny Ramirez for most in MLB history…Logged 16th career walk-off hit (second with Angels) with a solo home run in 19th inning Aug. 9 vs. Boston…Marked latest walk-off home run in Angels history…Marked first walk-off home run as an Angel and 11th of career…Was 35th career game-tying or go-ahead homer in 8th inning or later…Led A.L. with 33 go-ahead RBI.in 2014…His 19 game-winning RBI.fell two shy of club record club of 21 by Don Baylor in 1979…997 fielding pct. at first base led A.L. and tied Angels single-season record by a first baseman (min. 100 games started).

2013

Played 13th MLB season and second with Angels, batting .258 (101/391) with 49 runs, 19 doubles, 17 home runs and 64 RBI.in 99 games…Missed final 62 games of the season after going on the 15-day DL on July 28 (retro to July 27) with a partial tear of the left plantar fascia (did not undergo surgery)…Marked fourth career DL stint, first since 2011…Hit .339 (20/59) with four home runs and 15 RBI.in final 15 games before going on DL… Injury limited him to career lows in games played, average, hits, runs, doubles, home runs and RBI…Did not reach 30 HR for first time in his career… Collected 1,000th career extra-base hit on April 10, becoming 35th player in ML history to accomplish feat…According to Elias, he took fifth-fewest at-bats in ML history (6,944 AB) to reach the milestone… Collected 15th career walk-off hit and first as an Angel on April 13 vs. Houston…Singled on 4th of July against Cardinals, giving him a hit against every Major League team… Including postseason (18 HR) and regular season (482 HR), launched his 500th all-time home run May 16 vs. White Sox.

2012

The Angels finished the season ranked 12th in the MLB, with a batting average of .285 (173-for-607), 50 doubles, 30 home runs, and 105 RBIs. They ranked in the top 10 in several offensive categories in the AL, including doubles (2nd), RBIs (8th), slugging percentage (.516, 10th), games with multiple hits (54, T9), total bases (313, T7), and extra-base hits (80, 3rd). They played 154 games with the Halos leading the team. This was his 12th straight season with at least 30 home runs, making him the only player in MLB history to accomplish this feat in 12 consecutive seasons. He also tied Willie Stargell and Stan Musial for 28th on the all-time career home runs list with 475. Additionally, he is the only player in MLB history to hit at least 30 home runs in 12 consecutive seasons at any point in his career. He achieved this feat three times in his career, which is the most by any player in MLB history. He also holds the franchise record for the most doubles in a single season with 50, which is the second-highest total in Angel’s history. On May 8th, as a right-handed hitter for the Angels, he hit his 29th home run and had 96 RBIs with a batting average of .309.

2011

In 2011, his 11th MLB season with St. Louis, ranked among N.L. leaders in several categories despite missing time on D.L. with a fracture in his left radius at the wrist (disabled 6/20-7/4)…Ranked 3rd in HRs (37), T3rd in runs (105), 7th in RBI.(99), 9th in hits (173) and 7th in SLG (.541)…Fell just shy of his 11th-consecutive season with a .300+ average (.299) and 100 RBI.(99)…Marked his 11th consecutive season with 30+ HR – only player in M.L. history to begin career with 11-straight 30+ homer seasons…After All-Star Break, hit .319 with 19 HR & 49 RBI…Had a MLB best 40-game onbase streak (8/11-9/25)…10th time in 11 seasons he reached 100-run plateau…Collected 2,000th hit, a double on July 29 vs. Cubs, 12th-quickest player to 2,000 hits, taking 1,650 games…N.L. Player of Week 5/30-6/5 – hit five HR’s in the week…Had walk-off HRs June 4 & June 5 vs. Cubs…Homered in four-straight games (5 HRs total) June 3-7…Hit 465 ft. HR Aug. 14 vs. Colorado, longest HR ever at Busch Stadium III… Went 4-4 with two HRs and five RBI.including a grand slam Sept. 1 at Milwaukee (12th career slam)…Made four starts and played in seven games at third base, his first time at position since ’02…Launched eight home runs with two strikes and owns 139 two-strike HRs in his career – most in Majors since 2001.

2010

Led the NL in RBI.(118) for the first time in his career, home runs (42) for the second consecutive season and second time in his career, runs (115) for the second consecutive season and sixth time overall and extra base hits (86) second consecutive and fourth overall. He was voted the recipient of the N.L. Silver Slugger award at first base for the third straight season…Ranked among NL leaders in batting (T5th, .312), hits (5th, 183), total bases (2nd, 350), doubles (8th, 39), walks (2nd, 103), on-base percentage (2nd, .414) and slugging (3rd, .596)…Clubbed his 400th home run on 8/26 at WSH off Jordan Zimmermann. Finished the season with 408 home runs, ranking 45th all-time and with the most ever by a player in his first10 ML seasons. He and Stan Musial (475) are the only two Cardinals to have hit 400 or more home runs while wearing the Birds-on-Bat…Was selected to his eighth consective (9th overall) National League All-Star team, the top vote getter in the Majors for the second consecutive season. Started at first base and went 0-for-2…Had a .348 batting average w/RISP, ranking 4th in the NL and had the best night game batting average in the NL at .330…Batted .300 with 30 HR and 100 RBI.for the 10th consecutive season adding to his own existing Major League record…Became the first Cardinals player in franchise history to have three consecutive 100-walk seasons and tied Stan Musial for overall 100 walk seasons with three…Led the NL with six multi-HR games and passed Stan Musial on 9/12 for the Cardinals all-time lead of career multi-HR games, which now stands at 39…Hit 40 home runs for the sixth time in his career. His 30th HR on 8/15 vs. CHI marked his ML record 10th consecutive season to start a career with 30 HR per season…Had 20 HR and 60 RBI.pre-All Star break for the 8th time in his career. Ranked first in the majors with 60 runs post-All Star break and was first in the NL with 21 HR post-All Star break…Tallied 180 hits for the fourth consecutive season and ninth overall…Led the Cardinals with14 stolen bases, 2nd among MLB first basemen (Votto, 16)…Led the Majors with 21 game-winning RBI…Batted in the No. 4 position in the lineup on 5/17, the first time since 5/3/03, a span of 1,045 games in the No. 3 slot, which was the active MLB record at the time it stopped…Was issued a Major League-leading 38 intentional walks, a total which surpassed the team total for 17 Major League clubs. He currently ranks 2nd among active players with 236. Established a single-game high with 3 IBBs at WSH on 8/26…Led the Majors with 19 two strike home runs and has the most (131) in MLB during his 10-year career…Led the Cardinals with 27 multiple-RBI.games and 20 defensive fielding gems…Scored three or more runs in a game six times, and the Cardinals have gone 55-1 when he scores three-or-more runs in a game (only loss, 8/26/10 at WSH)…Honored as Pepsi’s Major League Baseball Clutch Performer in the month of April…Hit three home runs in a game at CHI (5/30), the fourth time in his career and first time since 2006 that he had done so…Passed Ozzie Smith (876) for 2nd all-time for Cardinals walks on 7/24 and currently has 914…Had a career-high 11-game walkless streak from 7/28-8/9…Scored a run in 11 consecutive games from 7/31 to 8/13 and 19 of 20 dates. The 11-game streak was the second longest in his career (13) and the second longest in the majors in 2010…Named National League Player of the Month for August batting .379 with 11 HR and 23 RBI…Hit his 94th home run at Busch Stadium III on 8/21, tying his mark for home runs in one ballpark with Busch Stadium II (94).

2009

Was the unanimous winner of his 3rd N.L. MVP award. Was named Player of the Year & N.L. Outstanding Player by MLBPA Player’s Choice. Named Player of the Year by The Sporting News and was also named to The Sporting News All-Star Team…Was the winner of the N.L.’s Silver Slugger Award for first basemen as voted on by managers and coaches…Named the National League’s Player of the Month for both April and June and also named Player of the Week twice (once in April and June)…Led the Majors with 47 home runs, just the 2nd Cardinal (Mark McGwire, 1998-99) since 1940 (Johnny Mize) to lead MLB…Also led the majors in runs (124) and slugging pct. (.658). Led the N.L. with a .443 on-base pct. and finished second among N.L. leaders in doubles (45) and was third in BA (.327) and RBI.(135)…Was the Cardinal’s “Triple Crown” winner for the 5th-straight season and 8th time in nine years…Just the 2nd player in MLB history to have 100 RBI.in each of his first nine seasons, joining Hall of Famer Al Simmons (11)…Was top vote-getter for the 80th All-Star Game hosted in St. Louis. Took part in HR Derby, advancing to 2nd round after winning “swing-off” tie-breaker following 1st round…Led the team in batting average (.327) for a 9th consecutive season. No other Cardinal has ever done so. [S. Musial 1946-52 and R. Hornsby 1919-25 did so in seven consecutive seasons]…Batted .588 (10-17) with bases loaded, setting Cardinals single-season (5) and career (11) records for grand slams…Had a team single-season record (44) intentional walks, surpassing his record 34 from 2008 and setting MLB record for RHB…Led Cardinals team and all MLB first basemen with his 16 stolen bases…Set MLB record with 185 assists as first baseman, securing it on last day of season, surpassing Boston’s Bill Buckner (184 in 1985) for the top spot. Had club single-game record 21 putouts 6/23 at NYM…Albert’s 1st-inning home run on 5/21 vs. CHI knocked the “I” out of the Big Mac Land sign in left field…Underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow for debridement of bone spurs and removal of bone chips on 10/20, performed in Birmingham, Ala., by Dr. James Andrews.

2008

All-Star first baseman had another record-setting year, earning his 2nd N.L. MVP award. Pujols and Stan Musial are the only Cardinals to have won multiple MVP awards…Was named Player of the Year by both MLBPA Player’s Choice and The Sporting News…Named the 2008 Roberto Clemente Award winner in recognition of both his outstanding play on the field and tireless work in the community…Recipient of the National League’s Silver Slugger Award for first basemen as voted on by managers and coaches…Recipient of the National League’s Silver Slugger Award for first basemen as voted on by managers and coaches…Named N.L. Oscar Charleston winner by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum as the most outstanding player in the N.L…Was the team’s “Triple Crown” winner for the 4th straight season and 7th time in 8 years. Led the team with a .357 BA and 116 RBI.while his 37 HRs tied R. Ludwick for team-lead…Trailed only Atlanta’s C. Jones (.364) for M.L. batting lead at .357. His season BA was above .341 since 4/9…Led the team in batting average (.357) for an 8th consecutive season, something no other Cardinal has ever done (S. Musial 1946-52 and R. Hornsby 1919-25 did so in 7 seasons)…Was elected (by MLB players) to his 7th All-Star game and was the starting DH, going 2-3 before his exit…Was elected (by MLB players) to his 7th All-Star game and was the starting DH, going 2-3 before his exit…Ranked 1st in the Majors in SLG pct. (.653) & OPS (1.114) and 2nd in on-base pct. (.462)…Albert led the team and was 2nd in the National League with a .339 avg. when runners were in scoring position..His 37 homers T4th in the League, as did his 116 RBI…Led the team with 16 game-winning RBI, T3rd in M.L. Contributed GWRBI.in 4 of the team’s last 8 wins. Had 30 go-ahead RBI.which was 4th in the N.L…Led the team with 44 doubles, 4th-most in the N.L. Had 342 total bases which led all National League players…Finished the season with 81 extra-base hits, 3rd in the Majors…Had 17 games with three or more hits, T5th in N.L. and led St. Louis with 56 multi-hit games, 4th in the league…Ranked 5th in the N.L. with an 11.9 strikeout per plate app. ratio, fanning just 54 times…Batted .335 on the road, tops in the Majors and his .380 home average was 2nd. Hit .380 in the day to lead all N.L. and .346 at night to rank 2nd…He hit career HR # 300 on 7/4 vs. CHI (off B. Howry) – the 2nd player in M.L. history to hit 300 HRs in his first 8 seasons (Ralph Kiner)…Homered on 9/1, for his 30th on the season and has had 30 or more homers in all 8 of his MLB seasons. That streak is twice as long as the next start-of-career streak (four seasons, M. McGwire, 1987-90)…Collected his 100th RBI.on 9/11, becoming just the 3rd player in MLB history to have 100 RBI.in each of first 8 seasons, joining Al Simmons (11 seasons) & Ted Williams (8)…Walked for the 100th time on 9/23 vs. ARI, his 1st 100-walk season. Finished 3rd in M.L. w/104 walks and led the Majors with 34 intentional walks, setting the Cardinals single-season record…Scored his 100th run with a solo HR on 9/27 vs. CIN. It marked the 7th time in eight seasons he scored 100 runs (99 in 2007)…Albert reached base safely by hit, walk and/or HBP in 136 of his 148 games…Named NL Player of the Week 8/18-24…led the N.L. with .579 (11-for-19) average, 10 RBI.and tied for the lead with 4-2Bs. During ATL series 8/22-24, went 3-for-3 w/3RBI.on 8/22, had 2-2B’s & HR 8/23 & HRed & singled prior to 3 walks on 8/24…Also named NL Player of the Week the last week of the season, 9/22-28…led the N.L. with a .588 (10-for-17) avg. and 1.235 slg pct. Tied league lead w/10 RBI, .680 OBP & 7 BBs…His .996 fielding pct. was T1st in the N.L. and he finished 2nd in the league with 135 assists (J. Votto-136). Among every day first basemen, his six errors ranked as T2nd fewest…Appeared at 2B on 4/22 at MIL- first career appearance there (reg. season) & first since 2001 All-Star Game (defensive replacement for Jeff Kent)…Appeared at 2B on 4/22 at MIL- first career appearance there (reg. season) & first since 2001 All-Star Game (defensive replacement for Jeff Kent)…Had season high 14-game hitting streak (.340, 4/30-5/15) and 42-game streak of reaching base come to an end on 5/16 vs. TB. Had reached base in every game played from Opening Day through 5/15…His streak of reaching base safely by hit or walk in the first 42 games to begin a season was the best start in Majors since 1999 (D. Jeter – 53 games)…Had 22nd career multi-HR game 5/19 at SD. The 1st HR was only the 9th in PETCO Park history to have reached the third deck of Western Metal Supply Bldg….Was on the DL 6/12-25 with a strained left calf. Came off the DL 6/26 at DET & went 4-for-4 with IBB…Went 4-for-4 on 8/30 at HOU and was triple shy of cycle. Collected his 1,500th hit in that game – 14th Cardinal ever to reach 1,500 hits…Belted 6th career GS as part of 4 hits 8/6 vs. LA. It was his 39th career game with 4 or more RBI, T1st in Majors since ’01…Finished ’08 strong, hitting safely in 30 of his last 37 games with an at-bat (.400, 54-135) with 16 multi-hit games in that span…Hit safely in 7-straight AB’s from 9/23-26 (three games played) and reached base safely in 11 straight plate appearances, not counting a sac fly on 9/25…Had surgery on Oct. 13, by team physician, Dr. George Paletta, on his right elbow, a procedure that included decompression and transposition of the ulnar nerve.

2007

In 2007 Albert hit 32 homers and had 103 RBI.to extend his record of 30-homer & 100 RBI.seasons to begin a career to seven. He finished one run shy of his 7th-consecutive 100-run scored season. Played in each of the team’s first 106 games (105 starts) and played in 158 of 162 total (153 starts). Played in his 1,000th career game on 6/18 vs. KC. Finished 6th in the National League with a .327 batting average with his .358 road batting average tops in MLB. Had the 3rd highest on-base percentage in the N.L. at .429 (Bonds-SF, .480 & Helton-COL, .434). Finished 9th in National League MVP voting. Collected 59 multi-hit games to lead the team and rank T-3rd in the N.L. Batted .367 (55-150) vs. left-handed pitchers, which ranked 4th-best in the N.L. Ended one walk shy of his first 100-walk season. He had a career-high 99, besting his previous high of 97 from his MVP season of 2005. Was walked intentionally 22 times, fourth-most in the N.L. Went a career-best 109-consecutive plate appearances beginning 8/31 before striking out in the 5th inning on 9/30 at PIT, it was the longest active streak in the Majors. Ranked 5th among NL batters in most plate appearances (11.71) per strikeout. Grounded into 27 double plays, matching Houston’s Carlos Lee for the MLB high. Reached safely in 95 of 104 games from 6/3 (.354, 128-362, 23 HRs, 75 RBI, 72 BB). Thirteen of his 16 HR’s after the All-Star break were solo shots & 12 of the 16 came on the road. He hit 12 HR’s on Sundays, including all four of his 2-HR games. Had 4 HR’s, 10 RBI, 8 runs & .438 BA (7-16) in the club’s first three Sunday day games. His 9.90 total chances/9 inn. (1457 TC/1324.2 inn.) ranked 4th in MLB among 1st basemen and his assists (124) were 3rd-most. Batted .411 (23-for-56) with five HRs and 16 RBI.in 15 Interleague games. Reached by hit or walk in 25 of 26 June games and had 20 RBI.in June. Hit in 20 of his final 23 games with an at-bat (.405, 32-for-79), with 2-HR, 18 RBI.& 14 runs scored. Had a .330 batting average, his season high, before going 0-for-5 in the season finale on 9/30 at PIT to finish at .327. Collected first HR, RBI.& run scored of ’07 with 3rd-inning blast off Astros’ Jason Jennings 4/8 at HOU to snap an 0-15 slide. Also scored 3 runs on the day. Belted three-run HR in 10th on 4/22 at CHI for 12-9 win. It was his 7th career extra inning HR and tied him with Ken Boyer for 2nd on team’s all-time HR list at 255. Went hitless on 5/5, snapping his 12-game hit streak (.409 BA) that began on 4/20. Also had an 11 game streak (22-45, .489, 2 HR) which ended 5/28 at COL. Reached base in 11 of his 15 plate appearances vs. DET over 5/18-20 (7-H & 4-BB) and had season-high 4 hits 5/18 at DET reaching base in all 5 PA’s, including his first HR since 4/28, his 257th career. Did not start 5/31 at COL for first time in the season, but came in defensively in 9th. Had five strikeouts 6/8-9, the 3rd time he’d had 5 Ks in a two-game span in his career, the other two in his rookie season (7/7- 8/01 at CLE, 9/25-26/01 at HOU). His 3-K game 6/8 vs. LAA was his 1st since 6/2/06 vs. CHI (14 inn.) & 1st in a 9-inn. gm. since 5/12/05 vs. LA. Caught looking twice – just 2nd time that had happened since the start of the ’04 season and 1st time since 8/29/05 vs. FLA (A.J. Burnett). Ended an 11-game home hitting streak on 6/9 (.444, 20-for-45, 10R, 3HR, 6RBI). Ended a six-game stretch in which he went 11-for-20 for .550 BA on 7/5 (0-3). Named the N.L.’s Player of the Week for 7/9-15. (.429 BA, 4 HR & 1.357 slg.%). Homered in three-straight games 7/13-15, including two on 7/15 at PHI. Hit HR #23 on 7/26 vs. CHI and matched season high with five RBI, tying Joe Medwick (823) for 8th on the team’s all-time RBI.list. Had three streaks end on 8/23 vs. FLA; 5-game HR streak, 7-game RBI.streak & 9-game hitting streak. The career-best 5- game HR streak tied club single-season record. Made first start since 9/17 on 9/24 at MIL (strained left calf). Had a two-run PH single 9/22 & PH-RBI.single 9/23. Belted solo HR (#32) 9/26 at MIL, for 7th-straight 100-RBI.season.

2006

Put together yet another MVP caliber season. Produced his 6th straight season with .300 BA, 100 runs, 30 HR & 100 RBI…Despite missing two weeks to injury, Albert ranked 2nd in the N.L. in both HR’s (49) & RBI.(137) and was 3rd in BA (.331)…Led N.L. in SLG pct. (.671) and finished in top-5 among N.L. leaders in RISP BA (.397) & total bases (359)…Led the Majors with 25 GWRBI.with 19 of those via HR’s; the most since Willie Mays (19 -1962) in SABR data going back to 1957… Was T2nd in the Majors with 34 go-ahead RBI.(David Ortiz-40). He hit a ML-leading 23 go-ahead home runs…Was the recipient of 2006 Players Choice Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award with $50,000 going to the charity of his choice…Was selected as finalist for Roberto Clemente & Hank Aaron Awards by MLB…Set a career-high with 137 RBI, T7th on all-time STL single-season list, and 49 HR’s. Had 5th season of 350 or more TB’s…Homered in his final at-bat of the season for HR #250 of his career…He & Jim Bottomley (1924-29) are lone Cards with six consecutive 100 RBI.seasons… Scored 100 runs for 6th-straight season, but had NL-leading run streak end (3 yrs)…Became the fastest among active players to reach the 2,000 total base mark, doing so 7/3 at ATL with a 2B and HR in his 854th game…Nomar Garciaparra ranks 2nd (869 games)…Combined for 2 HR’s & 6 RBI.5/28-29 as he became 3rd fastest in ML to 25 HR’s…Became 3rd fastest to 20 HR behind Luis Gonzalez (’01-40 games) & Mickey Mantle (1956-41 games)…He’s the majors’ fastest player ever to 19 HR (37 team Games), 15 HR (28 Gms.) and to 14 HR (24 Gms.)…He HRed in 15 of the team’s first 19 series…Belted 14th HR on 4/29 to set ML record for April HR’s…Tied Todd Helton (3,003 AB’s) for 2nd fastest to 1,000 career hits among active players when he connected for 2-run HR off Cubs’ Jerome Williams 4/21 at Busch…Finished among N.L. 1st base fielding leaders in chances and fielding pct., making just six errors…Was rewarded with his first ever Rawlings Gold Glove award…Tied 9/18 game at MIL with 3-run HR in 7th. Went 4-for-4 on 9/16 vs. SF with 2B & RBI.& had 2 RBI.9/15 vs. SF…Hit game-winning 2-run 2B on 9/12 vs. HOU in bottom of 9th…Had his 3rd career 3- HR game 9/3 vs. PIT with 5 RBI.(also hit 3 HR 4/16 vs. CIN)…he & Mark McGwire (’98) are only Cardinals with two 3-HR games in the same season…HRed for a 3rd-straight game (5 HR’s total) 9/5 at WSH. Hit upper deck HR (#43) in 9th on 9/4 at WSH to spoil shutout bid by Nats’ Ramon Ortiz…Had a career high 7 RBI.on 8/22 at NY, with 2 HR’s – including his 5th career grand slam…had 2-run single next day, and finished with 9 RBI.in Mets series…Was rested 7/26, the first time he’d not started since coming off DL on 6/22. Supplied game’s lone run with solo HR 7/25 at COL & scored 700th career run…His season-high 11-game hit streak (.435 BA) ended 7/23 but he did walk twice…His seven-game RBI.streak ended on 7/18 (10 total)… three of them were of the game-winning variety, and it matched team season long RBI.streak (Rolen: 6/7-15)…Belted 7th career walk-off HR, and 2nd in ’06, on 7/13 vs. LA in 14th inn. of 3-2 win…Hit 3-run HR on 7/2 that tied Ray Lankford (228) for 3rd on all-time STL HR list…Returned to active roster 6/22 after missing 15 games & was 4-for-4 on 6/23 at DET…Suffered strained right oblique muscle on 6/3 and was DLed 6/4 for first time in career. Missed 15 games…Named N.L. co-Player of the Week for May 8-14, batting .429 with NL-best 10 RBI…At the time of his injury, Albert was ML leader in HRs (25), RBI.(65), runs (52), total bases (139), SLG (.751), OPS (1.193) and BA w/RISP (.523). He had scored or driven in 92 (34 pct.) of the team’s 271 runs before injury…His 3-HR game on 4/16 ended with walk-off shot. He became only the 8th player ever to cap off a 3-homer game with walk off…Began 2006 in the fashion that helped him win the 2005 N.L. MVP, hitting 2 HRs along with 2BBs and SF on Opening Day 4/3 at PHI & scored 3 times with four RBI…Opening Day marked Albert’s 13th multi-homer game, 12th two-HR game of his career. it was the first-ever Cards Opening Day multi-HR game…Struck out for the first time in spring on 3/27, his first strikeout in an exhibition game since 3/31/04 vs. MON. Went 77 Grapefruit League AB’s and 87 PA’s between K’s…Played for the Dominican Republic team in the inaugural World Baseball Classic…Took part in his 5th postseason and earned his first World Series championship…led the team with three HR’s, 11 runs and 13 walks in the postseason…doubled and scored in WS Game 3…hit 2-run homer in 3rd inning of WS Game 1 at Detroit & also scored in the 6th after a walk…his solo homer in the 4th inning was the first run for STL in Game 5 of NLCS…had single, double and scored three times in LCS Game 2 win…singled twice in both Game 3 and Game 6 of LCS…blasted two-run HR in the 3rd inning of DS Game 1 at San Diego for the GWRBI…had a double, two singles & picked up the GWRBI.in DS Game 2.

2005

Continued his elite play and was rewarded with the National League Most Valuable Player Award, the 15th Cardinal to win the prestigious award since its 1931 inception and first since Willie McGee in 1985…Received 18 of 32 first-place votes…Was chosen as the first baseman on the All-Busch Stadium Team in fan balloting, selected over finalists Orlando Cepeda, Jack Clark, Keith Hernandez and Mark McGwire…Named Baseball America Major League Player of the Year and recipient of the Oscar Charleston Award, the Most Valuable Player Award as presented by the Negro Leagues Museum…Voted as first baseman on the Major League Baseball Latino Legends Team in balloting of fans…Was the St. Louis Baseball co-Man of the Year with Chris Carpenter as voted on by the St. Louis chapter of the BBWAA…Was named the first baseman on The Sporting News N.L. All-Star team for the 3rd consecutive year…Became just the second Cardinal with at least 40 home runs and 15 stolen bases in a single season (Rogers Hornsby-1922)…Among N.L. top-five in all three Triple Crown categories: second in BA (.330), third in HRs (41) & tied second in RBI.(117). Finished 2nd with 360 total bases and 4th in N.L. with 195 hits…Tied Derrek Lee for N.L. lead in batting average on 9/12 and finished 2nd in the N.L. to Lee, .335 to .330. Ranked 2nd in N.L. with a .340 BA vs. RHPs, 1st with a .349 road BA, 6th with a .330 day & 3rd with a .330 night BA…Ranked 2nd N.L. in slugging (.609) and on-base pct. (.430). Tied for N.L.-best in multi-hit games with 57 (Eckstein-STL, Cabrera-FLA)…Ranked 2nd in N.L. with 20 game-winning RBI.and 1st with 36 go-ahead RBI…Scored his 600th career run 8/13 at CHI on his 33rd HR, a two-run shot in the 3rd…His 65 strikeouts ranked as fewest in baseball among players with 40 or more HR’s. Ranked 6th in the N.L. with 97 walks and had N.L.-high 27 intentional walks…Stole two bases 8/30 at FLA and had 1st career two-steal game 7/27 at SD…Led team in steals (16-for-18)…The last Cardinals first baseman to lead team in SB’s was G. Jefferies (46 in 1993)…Held hitless in series (CHI 7/22-24) for first time since 4/18-20/03 vs. ARI…Was also hitless 8/8-10 at MIL & 9/27-28 vs. HOU. Has just six hitless series in 261 career series played…Made his fourth All-Star appearance in five seasons, starting as DH and had a single in two AB’s…Went hitless 7/6 to end a 17-game streak (.422, 27-for-64, 6 HR). Stretch was tied for 5th longest in the N.L. in 2005 and matched 2nd longest streak of his career (2001). Had 16-game hit streak 4/19-5/5…Reached base safely in 72 of 77 road starts & had hits in 60 of those 77 games…Did not start on 5/15 at NYM, his first non-start of ’05…pinch-hit in 9th inn. (K)…Batted .370 (37-for-100) in the month of June with eight HR and 22 RBI. Hit over .300 in every month but August (.287, 29-for-101)…Belted fifth career walk-off HR (#23) in the 13th inn. on 7/15 vs. HOU to give Cards 4-3 win…Snapped 0-for-12 skid with 418-ft HR (#27) and 2B 7/26 at SD. Had three hits, including 10th career triple, in 7/28 win at SD…HRed in consecutive games on 9/7 and 9/8 vs. NYM after not HRing in eight straight starts prior to 8/26….Was 5-for-9 (.556) with four walks (three intentional), four runs and two RBI.in the three-game sweep of SD in the Division Series….collected a hit, walk and run in each of the three games, with two two-hit outings…had a team-high six RBI.and matched a team-high with seven hits in the NLCS vs. HOU, batting .304…belted a game-winning, three-run homer with two outs in the 9th inning of Game 5 at HOU off Brad Lidge to send the series to a Game 6…went 0-for-4 in Game 6 to end a seven-game hitting streak in NLCS games dating to 2004…was 12-for-28 (.429) over the course of that streak with four multi-hit games.

2004

Pujols continued his offensive prowess and displayed a solid glove in his first season as the full-time first baseman…Finished third in N.L. Most Valuable Player balloting. Is the second Cardinal to finish in the top five in MVP voting four straight years, joining Stan Musial (five straight, 1948-52)…Earned the Silver Slugger Award at first base. He has captured the award three times at three different positions (2003-OF, 2001-3B)…Was named the first baseman on The Sporting News N.L. All-Star team. It was the second consecutive year that he’s been voted to the team…Was voted the starting first baseman for the N.L. at the All-Star Game in Houston and went 2-3 with a pair of doubles and two RBI…Finished season ranked first in the N.L. in total bases (389) and runs (133), third in RBI.(123) and fifth in batting (.331)…Finished 11 total bases shy of becoming just the fourth Cardinal to have 400+ total bases and first since Stan Musial in 1948…Was N.L. leader with 34 go-ahead RBI.and 20 GWRBI.(teammate S. Rolen was second with 18)…Belted a career-high 46 home runs…his 28 road homers topped the NL…finished tied for second in N.L. HR race…Eight of his last nine hits of the season were doubles, giving him consecutive seasons of 50+ doubles…is the first Cardinal with back-to-back 50+ doubles seasons since Joe Medwick in 1936-37…Finished with an MLB-high 99 extra-base hits (eight ahead of Ortiz-BOS and 16 ahead of Helton-COL and Edmonds in NL)…was four XBHs shy of tying Stan Musial’s club record of 103 set in 1948…36 of his last 60 hits were extra base hits…Was tops among N.L. first basemen with 1,458 putouts, 1,582 total chances and 136 double plays…His .343 (49-143) batting average with runners in scoring position ranked fourth in the NL…Reached base by hit or walk in 141 of 154 games (92%) for the year…Had just 52 K’s in 692 PA’s, but had K’s in seven of his last 49 plate appearances…Batted .359 (113-315) in the season’s final three months…Had multi-hit efforts in 13 of last 30 games and 34 of last 71 contests (101-276, .366)…Tied for team lead with 52 multi-hit games , including seven games with four-plus hits (5-four hit, 2-five hit)…Batted .287 (25-87) in April, his first sub-.300 month since June of 2002 (.284). Has seven career sub-.300 months in 26 months played, with a low of .241 in July, 2001…Started all 23 April games and the team’s first 56 until sitting on 6/7 at CHI…His HR breakdown: 26 solo, 16 two-run HRs, 4 three-run HRs…Had a solo HR (#7) on 4/25 at MIL for 3rd GWRBI…hit 2-run HR (#6) on 4/20 at HOU for 2nd GWRBI.of the season…Hit HR #8 on 5/3 vs. CHI, first HR since 4/25 – a six-game HR-less stretch…With strikeout on 5/20 at NY, had fanned in four straight games for first time in ’04…has never fanned in five straight games in his career…HRed consecutive games (5/20 and 5/21). Snapped an eight-game homerless streak 5/20 at NY…Had no ABs in five plate appearances 5/27 vs. PIT. Scored once and had an RBI.with four walks (one intentional) and a SF…Hit a solo HR and singled in loss on 5/30 at HOU…had his 2nd 2-HR game of the year (8th career) on 5/29 at HOU and was 4-5 with three RBI…Hit a walk-off HR in the 10th inn. on 6/17 vs. Reds for third game-ending HR of his career. The HR ended a season-long 10-game homerless streak…His 3-run HR in the 8th inn. on 6/19 vs. CIN proved to be game winner…Had three hits, three runs (matched career high) and three RBI.on 7/2 vs. SEA…Snapped 6-game hit streak on 7/6 vs. CIN (2 walks)…Hit three HRs and was 5-5 at CHI on 7/20, matching his career high in hits and RBI.(five) and setting career marks with three HRs and four runs scored. His HR in the 9th was GWer as the Cards rallied from deficits of 7-1 and 8-2 for an 11-8 win…Solo HR on 7/23 vs. SF broke up D. Hermanson’s no-hitter and shutout in the 7th inn…Tied 7/26 game at CIN with solo HR (#29) with two outs in 8th inning…His 29 RBI.in Aug. ranked tied first in NL and his 12 HRs ranked second…Won 8/4 game vs. MON with fourth career game-ending HR to lead off 9th inning off Chad Cordero…Season-high 10-game hit streak ended Gm #1 on 8/20 vs. PIT…hit .372 (16-43) with six HRs during the streak…Went 4-4 on 9/2 vs. SD, his 6th game with four-or-more hits, and was a double shy of the cycle…Hit 44th HR on 9/16, his first in 10 games (since 9/2) – his longest HR drought of the season…Went 2-3 on 9/24 at COL with HR #45…it was his first HR on the road since 8/29 at PIT…had failed to reach base in three straight games (2 starts) before 9/24’s 2-3 outing…HRed (#46-career high) on 9/26 at COL to join J. DiMaggio & T. Williams as only players to reach 500 RBI.in first four seasons. Went 4-5 (7th game in ’04 with four-or-more hits) and had four RBI…Had two hits and drove in two on 10/1 vs. MIL…Received two non-invasive treatments in the offseason, called OssaTron treatments, to remedy the plantar fasciitis discomfort in his left heel that bothered him in the second half of the season….Combined to go 24-58 (.414) with six home runs, 14 RBI.and 14 runs in the postseason…the six home runs were a Cardinals postseason record…went 5-15 (.333) with two home runs and five RBI.in four Division Series games vs. LA…drove in the division series clinching run in Game 4 with a three-run home run off Wilson Alvarez at LA…was named the Most Valuable Player of the League Championship Series after batting .500 (14-28) with four home runs, nine RBI.and 10 runs scored vs. HOU…the 14 hits and 28 total bases were NLCS records…was the fifth player in LCS history to bat .500 or better in a series, joining Chris Chambliss-NYY (1976), Will Clark-SF (1989), Javy Lopez-ATL (1996) and Eddie Perez-ATL (1999)…batted .333 (5-15) in four World Series games vs. BOS.

2003

Posted one of the best individual seasons in Cardinals history, batting .359 with 43 home runs, 124 RBI.and 137 runs scored. He also collected 212 hits, including 51 doubles…Albert claimed a host of postseason awards and honors. He was voted by his peers as the Players’ Choice Major League Player of the Year, as well as the National League’s Outstanding Player…Was named the Major League Player of the Year by The Sporting News, and he also received the Hank Aaron Award (voted by broadcasters) as the league’s best hitter, and the Silver Slugger Award (voted by managers and coaches)…Played in his second All-Star Game and led all N.L. players in fan balloting, collecting 2,030,702 votes…At 23, Albert became the youngest N.L. batting champion since LA’s Tommy Davis (also 23) in 1962. Albert was the first Cardinal right-hander to win the title since Joe Torre in 1971…Albert joined Rogers Hornsby as the only players in Cardinals history to record 40 homers and 200 hits in the same season. Hornsby did so in 1922, when he hit 42 homers and had a club-record 250 hits.

2002

Not only did Albert avoid the “sophomore slump” in his second season, but he again led the Cardinals in nearly every major offensive category… In 2001 he became the first Redbird in 40 years to lead the club in batting, homers, RBI.and runs scored, and he did it again in 2002, batting .314 with 34 HRs, 127 RBI.and 118 runs…Albert became the first player in Major League history to hit at least .300 with 30 home runs, 100 RBI.and 100 runs scored in each of his first two big league seasons…Finished second in BBWAA balloting for N.L. MVP. Albert received 26 second-place votes, as he and unanimous MVP Barry Bonds were the only two players named on all 32 ballots…After finishing fourth in 2001 MVP voting, Albert became the first Cardinal since Stan Musial in 1950-51 to finish in the top four in the MVP race in back-to-back years… Musial finished second in both 1950 and ’51…Albert was named St. Louis Baseball Man of the Year by the St. Louis chapter of the BBWAA and was a second-teamer on Baseball America’s N.L. All-Star team…Ranked second in N.L. in both runs and RBI, was seventh in batting average, eighth in doubles and 10th in home runs…Was one of just four players in the N.L. to finish in the top 10 in batting average, home runs and RBI.(Barry Bonds, Vladimir Guerrero and Jeff Kent also did it)…Batted .335 (94-for-281) with 13 HRs and a league-leading 61 RBI.after the All-Star Break…The 22-year-old hit safely in all 52 of St. Louis’ series and in 118 of his 157 games played…His starts were at LF (101), 3B (37), 1B (15), and at DH (2)…He also played in RF and at shortstop…Finished fourth in the league in hits (185) and his 53 multi-hit games ranked fifth…Sported a .340 BA (105-for-309) in road games (second in the N.L.)…He became just the fifth Cardinal with back-to-back 30-HR seasons and he is just the second Cardinal (Ray Jablonski) to begin his career with consecutive 100-RBI.seasons. Albert is the first Cardinal to begin his career with back-to-back 20-homer seasons…Had 73 RBI.in 80 games after July 1. Had 49 RBI.and 11 HRs in his last 49 games…He tied for second in the N.L. with 24 June RBI…Connected for his second career grand slam in 6/11 win at SEA. ..Was the N.L. Player of the Week for 7/1-7, batting .435 (10-23) with five HRs and 12 RBI…Hit his third career grand slam 8/10 vs. NY…HR #30 and RBI.#100 came 8/27 [1] at CIN…Abert finished second in the N.L. in RBI.in August (32) and batted .368 (43-for-117) for the month…Matched his season high with four RBI.on 8/30 at CHI, going 2-for-4 with a double and HR (#31)…Hit HR #32 on 8/31 [1] at CHI…Had 10-game hitting streak snapped on 9/2 vs. CIN…Had a career-high four hits on 9/4 vs. CIN…Belted his team-high 34th HR on 9/22 vs. HOU…2002 POSTSEASON: Went 3-for-10 in the Division Series vs. Arizona…was 5-for-19 in the League Championship Series vs. San Francisco and homered off Kirk Rueter in the fifth inning of Game 1.

2001

In just his second season of professional baseball, Albert posted one of the finest rookie seasons in baseball history. Played a team-high 161 games and led the club a .329 batting average, 194 hits, 37 HRs, 47 doubles, 130 RBIs and 112 runs scored…In voting by the BBWAA, was named National League Rookie of the Year. Became just the ninth unanimous selection in league history…Finished fourth in voting for N.L. Most Valuable Player – the highest finish by a rookie in either league since Fred Lynn won the A.L. honor in 1975. Seattle rookie Ichiro Suzuki won A.L. MVP honors the very next week…Was chosen as Major League Rookie of the Year by Baseball America and was named the top N.L. rookie by Baseball Weekly, The Sporting News, Baseball Digest and the Players’ Choice Awards. Was named the third baseman on the Topps’ Rookie All-Star Team…Posted a .610 slugging percentage and received the N.L. Silver Slugger Award for the top slugging mark among third basemen…Set Cardinals rookie records for home runs, doubles, RBIs, extra-base hits, runs and total bases (360)…Established National League rookie marks for RBIs, extra-base hits and total bases…Became just the fourth rookie in major league history, and the first National Leaguer, to hit at least .300 with 30 home runs, 100 RBIs and 100 runs scored. He became the first Cardinal do it since Stan Musial batted .330 with 35 homers, 126 RBIs and 120 runs in 1952…Was the first Redbird in 40 years to lead the club in batting, homers, RBIs and runs scored. Ken Boyer last did it in 1961, when he batted .329 with 24 HRs, 95 RBIs and 109 runs…Became the first Cardinal since Ted Simmons in 1973 (.310/13/91) to win the club’s Triple Crown, and only the second rookie in club history to do it after Rogers Hornsby led the club with a .313 batting average, six homers and 65 RBIs as a rookie in 1916…Tied Montreal’s Orlando Cabrera for the N.L. lead with 21 game-winning RBIs…Batted .336 (93-for-277) with 16 HRs and a team-leading 64 RBIs after the All-Star Break…Albert batted .354 (103-for-291) with 18 homers and 64 RBIs in 82 home games. Hit safely in 69 of 82 home contests and his home batting average ranked as the fourth-best in the N.L…The 21-year-old hit safely in 50 of STL’s 52 series and in 121 of his 156 starts…His starts were at 3B (52), LF (37), RF (33), 1B (31), and DH (2). He is believed to be the first major leaguer to make 30 starts at four different positions in a single season…Made the club out of spring training when Bobby Bonilla was placed on the D.L. with a strained left hamstring. Albert led the club with 34 total bases in the spring and was second on the club in doubles (6) and batting average (.349)…Made his major league debut by starting in left field on Opening Day (4/2) at COL and went 1-for-3…Had a homer, three doubles and eight RBIs in a three-game series at ARI (4/6-8). Hit his first M.L. homer on 4/6 and had three hits and three RBIs. Added three more RBIs on 4/7, including a two-run double in the first inning. Hit a two-run double off Randy Johnson on 4/8…On 4/9, became the first Cardinals rookie since 1954 (Wally Moon) to hit a home run in the club’s home opener…Had a13-game hitting streak 4/6-20. Batted .447 (21-for-47) with four HRs during the streak…Went 7-for-10 (.700) in the April 13-15 series vs. HOU…Posted his first career two-homer game and had three RBIs 4/22 at HOU…Put his name in the record books by tying the major league rookie record for HRs (8) in the month of April with his solo shot off John Franco in the eighth inning on 4/28. He shares the April record with Kent Hrbek (1982) and Carlos Delgado (’94)…Followed up a strong April showing with a .333 batting average, eight homers and 24 RBIs in May, earning his second straight N.L. Rookie of the Month honor…Posted his second two-homer game and had three RBIs on 5/28 vs. MIL…Homered (#20) for the fourth-straight game on 6/12 and had his ninth three-hit game on 6/14 at KC. Supplied seven of the Cards’ 21 hits in the three-game series (6/12-14) vs. the Royals…Batted .330 (32-for-97) with 5 HRs and 15 RBIs in June…Had his worst month in July, when he batted .241 with four homers and 12 RBIs. July was the only month Albert failed to hit .300…Suffered through his biggest slump of the year on the club’s nine-game road trip entering the All-Star break. Albert went just 2-for-33 (0-for-12 with RISP), as his season batting average slipped from .354 to .323 on the nine-game trip…Became the first Cardinals rookie to make the N.L. All-Star squad since LHP Luis Arroyo in 1955 and the first rookie since 3B Eddie Kazak (’49) to actually play in the game. Entered the game in the eighth inning and played second base for Jeff Kent. Albert walked on a full-count slider from Seattle’s Jeff Nelson in his lone plate appearance…Homered for the first time in 93 at-bats on 7/14 vs. DET, setting the Cardinals rookie HR record with his 22nd of the season…Hit a 453-foot homer (#26) on 8/4 vs. FLA, the longest homer by a Cardinal at Busch Stadium in 2001…Had a career-best 17-game hitting streak (.406), and a 13-game run-scoring streak snapped on 8/17…Hit a 439-foot solo blast over Cinergy Field’s “Black Monster” on 8/20 for HR #29…Lined his 31st HR on 8/29 vs. SD and became only the second Cardinals rookie to reach 100 RBIs, joining Ray Jablonski, who in 1953 had 112 RBIs as a rookie…Homered in all three games of the 9/2-5 series at SD…Was N.L. co-Player of Week for 9/17-23, batting .370 with two HRs and 15 RBIs. Three of his RBIs were game-winners, as the Cards went 6-1 for the week…Blasted his first career grand slam for his 20th game-winning-RBI.on 9/21at PIT. Finished the game with his second five-RBI.game of the week and set the N.L. rookie record for extra-base hits with 83, surpassing Johnny Fredericks’ (Brooklyn) 1929 record of 82…His final home run (#37) was a two-run shot on 9/30 vs. PIT…Set a pair of rookie records on 10/2 at MIL, including the N.L. record for total bases (353), breaking Richie Allen’s 1964 mark of 352. Albert also set the Cardinals’ rookie record for runs scored (110) in that game. 2001 POSTSEASON: Struggled in his first trip to the postseason, batting just .111 (2-for-18) in the five-game Division Series vs. Arizona…poked a two-out, two-run, opposite-field homer in the first inning of Game 2 off Randy Johnson, as the Cards went on to win 4-1 and even the series at a game apiece.

2000

Redbirds made the jump to Memphis-A Triple-A at the end of the regular season, playing three games and shifting from third base to left field. In the postseason, they batted .302 and had a run, contributing to Memphis’ postseason success. They were also named on every ballot as a top prospect in the Fall League Arizona, and played for Scottsdale. They had a batting average of .284 and were promoted to Class-A Potomac in August. In a game against Dayton, they went 3-for-4 with a homer, triple, and three RBIs, helping their team win 6-1. In the regular season, they had 41 doubles, tying them for 10th place among all minor league players. They had 47 strikeouts in 544 plate appearances, and their two-hit game resulted in a 4-3 win with a three-run homer. They also played two games in left field and shifted to third base for the first time. They had a successful postseason run, with five RBIs and two homers in seven playoff contests, and a batting average of .367. They hit a 13th-inning homer in a 4-3 win over Salt Lake in the PCL playoffs, helping the Redbirds clinch the championship and advance to the Triple-A World Series. They were voted as the top prospect in the league by coaches and managers in the AFL’s poll.