Could Pujols Be the Best Ever?

Albert Pujols began his career with the St. Louis Cardinals quietly in 2001 as the Redbirds opened the season in Colorado. Pujols was 1 for 9 in the series with a single left fielder and pinch hitter as the Cards dropped their first three games. It didn't take long for the 21 year old Pujols to find his way. The Cards won their next 5 straight as Pujols hit .450 with 2 home runs, 3 doubles, and drove in 12 runs during that stretch. It was the beginning of a campaign that earned him the Rookie of the Year award, a Silver Slugger, an All-Star game appearance, and respect among National League pitchers and managers.

Things haven't changed much for Pujols, as he is now 6 years into his major league baseball career. The numbers he has already put up are statistics most players strive for throughout an entire career. He also has all the hardware to back up any claims of being the best ever after winning the National League MVP award in 2005, and a Gold Glove and World Series ring in 2006.

There is no player in my lifetime that has better numbers in their first six years than Pujols. The three names that quickly come to mind are Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. Pujols eclipses them all. There was only one statistic that stood out in which Pujols did not beat them - stolen bases. In every other major category, Pujols wins. His .332 average blows away Rodriguez (.281) and Bonds (.268). Griffey hit .305 during the same span. The power numbers are just staggering. Over his first 6 years, Pujols has averaged 42 home runs and 126 runs batted in. Rodriguez averaged 25 home runs and 77 RBIs over that same period; Griffey had 29 and 91; Bonds averaged 24 and 76.