Albert Pujols: Is Anyone Better?

Albert Pujols is quickly becoming one of the greatest hitters that the game has ever seen.

In his first eight full seasons in the MLB, he has put up gawdy numbers, that can't be matched.

Recently, Pujols surpassed the 1,000-RBI plateau, and is slowly creeping up the all-time home run list.

Pujols was drafted in the 13th round of the 1999 MLB Draft by St. Louis. He has only played in the minors for one year (2000), and appeared in just three games at the AAA-level.

However, he is a seven-time All Star, four-time Silver Slugger, two-time MVP, and his best years may actually be ahead of him.

Let's take a look at what "Fat Albert" or "Winnie the Pooh"jols has done in eight complete seasons.

2001: NL Rookie of the Year

Games: 161
Average: .329
At-bats: 590
Runs: 112
Hits: 194
Doubles: 47
Home runs: 37
RBI: 130
Walks: 69
Strikeouts: 93
OBP: .403
Slg: .610
OPS: 1.013

Awards: NL Rookie of the Year, All Star, Silver Slugger, fourth in NL MVP voting

You will see that this is the norm for Pujols. An OPS around .800 is superb, but he stays around the 1.000 mark every year.

2002: Not Quite the MVP Yet

Games: 157
Average: .314
At-bats:590
Runs: 118
Hits: 185
Doubles: 40
Home runs: 34
RBI: 127
Walks: 72
Strikeouts: 69
OBP: .394
Slg: .561
OPS: .955

Awards: Second in the NL MVP voting

2003: Coming Up Short Again

Games: 157
Average: .359
At-bats: 591
Runs: 137
Hits: 212
Doubles: 51
Home runs: 43
RBI: 124
Walks: 79
Strikeouts: 65
OBP: .439
Slg: .667
OPS: 1.106

Awards: All Star, Silver Slugger, Second in NL MVP Voting (I don't know how with 51 doubles and 43 HR, but OK)

2004: Not Second, but Third This Time

Games: 154
Average: .331
At-bats: 592
Runs: 133
Hits: 196
Doubles: 51
Home runs: 46
RBI: 123
Walks: 84
Strikeouts: 52
OBP: .415
Slg: .657
OPS: 1.072

Awards: All Star, Silver Slugger, Third in NL MVP voting

2005: Finally the NL MVP

Games: 161
Average: .330
At-bats: 591
Runs: 129
Hits: 195
Doubles: 38
Home runs: 41
RBI: 117
Walks: 97
Strikeouts: 65
OBP: .430
Slg: .609
OPS: 1.039

Awards: NL MVP, All Star

Not his best year number-wise, but the MVP Award finally belonged to Pujols.

2006: A Gold Glove in the Trophy Case

Games: 143
Average: .331
At-bats: 535
Runs: 119
Hits: 177
Doubles: 33
Home runs: 49
RBI: 137
Walks: 92
Strikeouts: 50
OBP: .431
Slg: .671
OPS: 1.102

Awards: NL Gold Glove, All Star, Second in NL MVP voting

The least amount of games played for Pujols, but the highest HR and RBI production to date. Seriously, how good is he?!?

2007: An Off Year

Games: 158
Average: .327
At-bats: 565
Runs: 99
Hits: 185
Doubles: 38
Home runs: 32
RBI: 103
Walks: 99
Strikeouts: 58
OBP: .429
Slg: .568
OPS: .997

Awards: All Star, ninth in NL MVP voting

His lowest run, HR and RBI total for any given year, but still not too shabby.

2008: NL MVP Once Again

Games: 148
Average: .357
At-bats: 524
Runs: 100
Hits: 187
Doubles: 44
Home runs: 37
RBI: 116
Walks: 104
Strikeouts: 54
OBP: .462
Slg: .653
OPS: 1.114

Awards: NL MVP, All Star, Silver Slugger

Looking at the overall numbers, his best year so far, but perhaps the best is still yet to come.

He's Only 29!!

He hasn't even hit 30 years old (turned 29 in January), but here has what he's done so far...

Games: 1239
Average: .333
At-bats: 4582
Runs: 947
Hits: 1531
Doubles: 342
Home runs: 319
RBI: 977
Walks: 696
Strikeouts: 506

Pujols has hit at least .314, with 32 HR and 103 RBI in every season, (I didn't think that was possible).

He also has a season OBP average of over .400 (minus 2002). That means he's getting on base somehow in over 40 percent of his at-bats. That's pretty good.

Season Averages

Games: 155
At-bats: 572
Average: .330
Runs: 118
Hits: 191
Doubles: 42
Home runs: 39
RBI: 122
Walks: 87
Strikeouts: 63
OBP: .420
Slg: .620
OPS: 1.040

It's kind of hard not to be in awe of this guy.

2009: What's in Store for Albert?

The 2009 season is nearly a month old, and Pujols continues his attack on the game.

With the Midsummer Classic being in his home ballpark this year, he will no doubt be named to his eighth All Star team, and will always be on the MVP watch list.

After this season, here's where is numbers should roughly stand

Games: 1,400
At-bats: 5,160
Runs: 1,050
Hits: 1,720
Doubles: 390
Home runs: 360
Total Bases: 3,200
RBI: 1,100
Walks: 800
Strikeouts: 560

Pretty good for a 13th-round pick, who will complete just his ninth year in the league come October.

A Look Into the Future

So what kind of numbers can he end up with?

Well, keeping his season averages in mind, he should reach the 3,000 hit mark, and has the opportunity to be the new home run king (if he pulls a Hank Aaron or Barry Bonds), and plays past 40 years old.

Keeping his pace of hits, Pujols should get No. 3,000 midway through the 2016 season.

Giving him the benefit of averaging 40 HR a year, he could surpass 762* in the ending weeks of the 2020 season, but he would 40 years old that year.

Or he could become the king to begin 2021 at the age of 41.

Pujols plays the second least demanding position in the league, at first base (DH is easiest), so his body has a good chance of holding up (knock wood).

If Pujols indeed plays for 12 more years, we can safely assume that there will be another class act amongst the greats.

There's More to Pujols Than Just Numbers

Pujols was also given the 2008 Roberto Clemente Award for the community service he does around St. Louis.

His main project is the Pujols Family Foundation, which tries to improve the lives of children and younger adults who have Down Syndrome. He also helps underpriviledged children in his native Dominican Republic.

Pujols also gives time to the Boys and Girls Club, as well as the Ronald McDonald house.

I've never met Pujols myself, but I've also never seen him in the negative limelight.

I think it would be safe to assume that if you came into contact with Pujols, he would be the nicest guy you'll meet.

The on-field numbers are good, but it's the off-field demeanor that makes room for him amidst the all-time greats.

Pujols is a true leader, that anyone would love to meet, as well as have on their team.