Very nice Shane

I'm a big Cardinal fan myself as I was born and raised in Arkansas and the Cardinals were the closest team to me. We all cheered for the Cardinals. My 2 favorite players were Bob Gibson and Dizzy Dean. Dizzy of course because he was from Arkansas, and Gibson because of his performance in the World Series. His performance in the 67 World Series is unmatched by anyone - anyone. He threw, and won, 3 complete games. Allowing only 14 hits and 3 runs total for all 3 games! He should get much more hobby love than he has.

Of course, there is the Gas House Gang and Pepper Martin's Mudcat Band. I've includeda picture of my type 1 autographed photo of the Band.

I only wish Pujols would have remained a Cardinal, but he came home as he should have!

Shane, I forgot to add that I love the collection. It's unique, great items, and you are lucky to have obtained the items before they became unobtainable! Great collection. Jim

Albert is now 1 shy of Rodriguez! Can he make the 700 club? What do you think?

I'm starting to think he has a good shot. A few weeks ago I gave him a 20% chance. I tend to increase the percentage about 10% per week. I know think he has about a 70 percent chance to do it. I predict he ends with 699. I hope I'm wrong and he gets 700.

Been collecting Pujols for close to 20 years and I'm really excited to see how his career ends. With him 2 homers away from passing A-Fraud I figured this would be an appropriate card to share:

https://live.staticflickr.com/638/32...b7e98da7_z.jpgscan0011 by Brett Blair, on Flickr

Nice card - I don't think I have ever seen that card before. Rather unusual. I liked Vlad - his son doesn't really look like him but sure does hit like him.

Albert is going to leave ARod in the dust in the next couple of days, cement himself in 4th all time - 3rd if you remove BobbleheadBonds - and possible reach the 700 club!

The countdown continues, stay tuned!

I don't remember ever quoting myself... But...

It's almost a lock now. He hit 697 yesterday. I now say 95% chance he does it. I now predict he ends with 701.

Hey Shane - I'm thinking 700 for sure and hoping for 703 - regardless - Good Bye Rodriguez!

It'll be cool when Albert hits 700 but it's hard to be so thrilled by it after he's been so bad for a decade now. I don't know what would have been better for his legacy. Retiring an enigma like Jimmie Foxx or overcoming a decade of anonymity to do something great eventually.

I don't know. But what he is doing now is simply unbelievable. He is in the right place for sure - nowhere better than St. Louis. Winning games with walk off home runs - especially when they are approaching 700 in total is amazing.

I guess people are only typically let down by compilers who reach minimum milestones. Like if Albert hung on for 500 homers I think people would be pretty dismissive about it. But this is 700, which is kind of like someone getting 4,000 hits.

You can get 697 on a Topps Now card today, or wait for 700….or 701 :)

I just have the 1:

This is a tough card. From 2012 Topps series 1. Pujols was traded in the offseason and this card was offered as an SSP. I picked it up 5 or 6 years ago. Glad I did because it rarely shows up.
This Cap with outstanding game use and great signature was also picked up about 5 years ago.
One of the final 5 I need for my 500 HR Ball I hope Pujols lowers his autograph prices when he retires.

Love the card and the cap!

Who doesn't love Pujols!

HOF…. Cardinals or Angels cap. There have been some controversies in the past, Carter, Winfield, Tome and Henderson come to mind. My guess is his best years and best results would make St Louis a lock. As I understand it the player’s preference is factored in but not not determinative of the decision which is made by MLB and the HOF

Well there is a twist to the HOF cap decision. The cap on the plaque is the decision of the HOF...But what cap is worn by the player during the induction ceremony is the Players choice. Like collecting cards these small variations make it more fun.
And a post from ALR always adds fun and information to a topic..
J

Albert hit another last night to tie the game in the 6th - crazy what he is doing and doing it with class and humility.

2 away from 700 - it's coming soon!

The really crazy recognition will come after 699 - as it should.

My son and I made the 3 hr trip to St Louis Friday night to see it. I have video of HR 698. It was electric in there!

I don't think there is any doubt which cap will go on the plaque or which cap he would want.

x

700 home runs. 3000 Hits. Congratulations on an amazing career, AP.

I remember buying many many boxes of Heritage in order to pull the Pujols. The Bowman was a lot easier! https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...36a83e1290.jpg

Sent from my SM-G9900 using Tapatalk

I was talking about Pujols at the Philly show. So I have been a seller of Aaron Judge enjoying solid profits but I am not as big a seller of Pujols ( I have a couple cards listed). The reason is I see alot of Pujols cards coming out sort if like Jeter. When he retired lots of cards equipment etc came out and for a time prices didn't do much. But the time between when he retired and was voted in Jeter prices did very very well. What are you guys thoughts?

I don't see any outside reason, steroids; drugs; gambling; infidelity; etc. ever causing damage to Pujols' legacy. Hence, I don't see any cards nose diving in the future. I think they will peak at the end of this season - stay flat for about 4 years - then rise slightly when he goes to the Hall as a first ballot member. I've struggled with selling or keeping my rookie autograph and I've decided to hold onto it. He is the only member of the 700 club that one could obtain a certified rookie issued autograph. Also, you don't see stickers on his rookie cards as they are all hard signed that I'm aware of. I have autographed cards of Aaron. I don't have any of Ruth. I don't care about Bonds. So, I may just make this one part of my permanent collection.

What is everyone else going to do - keep or sale?

Thanks for keeping this thread alive and please keep it going until the end of the play offs!

Since I am a Cardinals team set collector, I think everyone knows what I will be doing with mine!

After a couple last night he needs 4 more RBIs to be # 2 all time

I think when the dust settles on his last plate appearance, regular season or the play offs, we should all just look at his final numbers and Wow - I saw this guy and appreciate how good he really is. I have tried really hard to attend games and watch some of the greatest home run hitters hit one out of the park. I've seen quite a few and they all have a different swing. The one that was the most savage was McGwire. The one most fluid seemed to be Bonds, and Pujols swing reminded me a little of Bonds - kind of like a well-timed machine. I've also been fortunate enough to see other great players like Griffey Jr, etc. One thing is for sure, they all had magic and that special power.

703 for Albert! Passed Babe Ruth on the all time RBI list - yes - it is true!

For perspective Pujols also beat out Ruth in at bats by 3000 +.

If he had stayed a Cardinal ( am sort of glad he did not because Cards got back into the Series twice and the playoffs several times without his huge contract. while the Angels sucked), the debate about he or Musial being the greatest Cardinal would have been interesting

In any event very happy for him and St Louis fans that he had such a career end resurgence. A little like Musial final season in 1963

WAR
Musial 128.6
Pujols 101.5

You convinced me Peter, but if he had stayed a Cardinal and numbers were the same, 3d in home runs and 2nd in RBIs is hard to ignore, no matter how many ABs it took :)

He benefited tremendously RBI wise from hitting behind Mike Trout for a decade. I doubt he would have approached the same total anywhere else.

Well, there is no doubt he did it

Yes, batting behind a guy whose on base percentage was as high as 46 percent. It's hard to deny that had something to do with it,

You will be pleased to know Peter that today has been declared Albert Pujols Day in St Louis.

Richly deserved, no doubt an all time great player, and from all appearances an exemplary person.

Keeping my fingers crossed that his divorce does not result in some bomb shells from his ex :)