Phat Albert's NL MVP. Unanimously.
Any questions?
This morning on Mike & Mike, Bob Costas was opining that Pujols, if he retired right now, would be considered one of the three greatest 1B in the history of the game, wtih only Gehrig and Foxx also in the conversation.
At first glance, that sounds to me like wild hyperbole and overstatement. But for real, I can't think of any "of course, he's forgetting ..." exceptions. Maybe Hank Greenberg? Anyone have any suggestions?
The consensus of the HoM crowd was that Johnny Mize was 3rd after Gehrig and Foxx. Pujols was much better than Mize in his 20s, taking into account both offence and defence. Mize missed 3 and 1/2 years in his early 30s due to the war, and ended up with only 1000 more career PAs than Pujols has now.
Pujols could end up as #1, with 14,000 PAs, an OPS+ of 165 and first-rate defence as his primary arguments. We will see how he holds up in his 30s. What is remarkable about him is consistency- he has played over 140 games every year since age 21 and posted an OPS+ greater than 150 each year. As far as I can tell, no one has done that. Ted Williams probably would have done it but for the war (if healthy).
Pujols could end up as #1, with 14,000 PAs, an OPS+ of 165 and first-rate defence as his primary arguments. We will see how he holds up in his 30s. What is remarkable about him is consistency- he has played over 140 games every year since age 21 and posted an OPS+ greater than 150 each year. As far as I can tell, no one has done that. Ted Williams probably would have done it but for the war (if healthy).
Pujols is amazing. He is up to 9 seasons in the majors now and has had a 'traditional HOF season' every year - namely 300 average, 30 home runs, and 100 RBI. Every single season. Wow.
He also has had a 400 OBP in all but one season (7 straight - missing year was 'just' 394), a 600 Slg in 7 seasons (the others are in the 560's), 1000 OPS in 7 of 9 (997 in 2007, 955 in 2002), and a 150+ OPS+ in every single season.
That is just getting silly. Those are stats from a video game, much like Bonds figures were.
In the post season he has hit 322/431/578 but slacked off in the World Series by hitting 'just' 267/421/467 over 38 PA's.
Black ink = 34 - good for 47th all time (average HOF'er has 27).
Gray Ink = 189 (48th all time) vs average HOF'er at 144
HOF monitor = 226 (31st all time) likely HOF'er is at 100
HOF standards = 48 (91st all time) average HOF'er is at 50
For his 'most similar batters' he has 4 HOF'ers out of 10 when comparing his current stats (ie: if his career ended today). For by age he has 8 HOF'ers plus Griffey Jr and Juan Gonzalez. Most simliar by age has been either Joe DiMaggio or Jimmy Fox every year.
Pujols is a one of a kind talent who will continue to amaze I suspect.
He also has had a 400 OBP in all but one season (7 straight - missing year was 'just' 394), a 600 Slg in 7 seasons (the others are in the 560's), 1000 OPS in 7 of 9 (997 in 2007, 955 in 2002), and a 150+ OPS+ in every single season.
That is just getting silly. Those are stats from a video game, much like Bonds figures were.
In the post season he has hit 322/431/578 but slacked off in the World Series by hitting 'just' 267/421/467 over 38 PA's.
Black ink = 34 - good for 47th all time (average HOF'er has 27).
Gray Ink = 189 (48th all time) vs average HOF'er at 144
HOF monitor = 226 (31st all time) likely HOF'er is at 100
HOF standards = 48 (91st all time) average HOF'er is at 50
For his 'most similar batters' he has 4 HOF'ers out of 10 when comparing his current stats (ie: if his career ended today). For by age he has 8 HOF'ers plus Griffey Jr and Juan Gonzalez. Most simliar by age has been either Joe DiMaggio or Jimmy Fox every year.
Pujols is a one of a kind talent who will continue to amaze I suspect.