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.

In July of 2006, Pujols became the first player ever to hit 30 home runs in each of his first 6 seasons. He was also the youngest player to reach 250 home runs for his career. Historically, the first names that come to mind as the best ever are Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Hank Aaron, and Babe Ruth. If you put Pujols' numbers side by side with Williams, DiMaggio, and Aaron, it's difficult to tell them apart. Babe Ruth's situation is interesting and makes things difficult to compare. Ruth began his career as a starting pitcher with the Red Sox. If you compare offensive numbers from his first 6 seasons, Pujols clearly beats him as Ruth hit for a .289 average, with 8 home runs, 38 runs batted in, and 34 runs scored. 5 years into his career, Ruth became a position player. The numbers he averages for the next 6 years are remarkable - .363 average, 44 home runs, 136 runs batted in and 138 runs scored. But is that a fair comparison? Give Pujols a few more years, and does he match or exceed what Ruth did?

It will always be difficult to make these types of historical comparisons. I certainly can't take anything away from the careers Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth had. Just the fact that Pujols' statistics compare so favorably with these four Hall of Famers is an honor in itself. At age 27, Pujols' accomplishments on the field are already reserving him a place in Cooperstown. If he can stay healthy and continue at or near his current pace, I think there will be no argument - Albert Pujols will be the best baseball player to ever play the game.