Pujols

[Touch'EmAll]

I am an Angels fan. I want to like Pujols. But its tough and getting tougher. IMHO, his HOF status is now in jeopardy. Since he joined the Angels, he has been nowhere near HOF status, and its been a long time now. I can't remember such a player that was lights out for the first part of career, then horrible for so long. Yeah, yeah, he now has 600 HR, I know. But its all due to his St. Louis time (PED's?). Do you think he belongs in the Hall? Has he been a top standout all star caliber player since, like forever?

[frankbmd]

Ken Griffey Jr had a substantial decrease in his performance during the second decade of his career.

An All-star 11 of his first 12 years and then only twice in the last ten.

A good match for Pujols IMO to answer one of your questions.

[cardsfan73]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

Ken Griffey Jr had a substantial decrease in his performance during the second decade of his career.

An All-star 11 of his first 12 years and then only twice in the last ten.

A good match for Pujols IMO to answer one of your questions.

Griffey is a great example and I am sure there are a lot more.

While not a Hall Of Famer, Dale Murphy was a great hitter and his numbers dropped dramatically and fast.

Baseball referance has a Most Similar by Ages stat and they list Frank Robinson & Hank Aaron as the two comps to Pujols for age 34,35 & 36 season.

And as far as Hall Of Fame goes the only 1st Baseman ranked higher than Albert in WAR is Lou Gehrig. That puts Albert ahead of Jimmie Foxx, Cap Anson, Jeff Bagwell, Johny Mize, Frank Thomas, Willie McCovey, Eddie Murray, Hank Greenberg, Tony Perez & Orlando Cepeda and those guys are all in the Hall.. So yeah, I think it's safe to assume Albert is a Hall Of Famer!

[Peter_Spaeth]

How can anyone even think of questioning his credentials? 600 HR and close to 3000 hits and he isn't done. First ballot lock. And his so called down years in LA have included THREE 100 RBI seasons and 40-31-30 HR seasons.

[cardsfan73]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

How can anyone even think of questioning his credentials? 600 HR and close to 3000 hits and he isn't done. First ballot lock. And his so called down years in LA have included THREE 100 RBI seasons and 40-31-30 HR seasons.

I know right? I guess to some people that is horrible!

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by cardsfan73

I know right? I guess to some people that is horrible!

I get that people expected Pujols to continue what he did in St. Louis, and relative to those numbers (which had they continued would have made him one of the top five players of all time probably) he disappointed, but to suggest he isn't a HOFer, well, that makes no sense to me.

[chaddurbin]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

How can anyone even think of questioning his credentials? 600 HR and close to 3000 hits and he isn't done. First ballot lock. And his so called down years in LA have included THREE 100 RBI seasons and 40-31-30 HR seasons.

chris carter went from nl hr leader last year to no one willing to sign him in the offseason, front offices are finally wising up. everyone shift now, they all value flyball hitters more...

everyone knew the pujols contract was bad right at the start, just like the big contract detroit gave miggy...except miggy was still productive the first few years. moreno/sciossa know nothing about modern baseball.

[cardsfan73]

He was a Hall Of Famer before he left St. Louis. No Peds, his body was breaking down before he left St. Louis the biggest issue being his chronic plantar fasciitis issues.

Probably the reason you are having trouble liking him is that Arte Moreno paid waaaaay to much for what Pujols had done, not what he was going to do. Overpaid for Josh Hamilton too.

He has averaged right around 98 Rbi and just under 30 home runs per season since joining the Angels, I am not sure I would call him "horrible". Is he worth the money the Angels paid him? nope.. But I would love to have a 30 hr/90+rbi bat in my Cardinals line up right now!

I watch as many Angels games as I can on mlb.tv and I don't see an awful player, I see an aging vet who is winding down his career.

Scott