A-Rod youngest ever to 500
 

He hit #500

Only 300 more to bury Bonds once and for all.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/column...son&id=2947658

Gee, he must be taking steroids.

Really cool, I wonder who was at the game to see it today?

???

If you mean the commisioner he is at Petco and saw Berry hit his.

No I meant BB members who might have watched A-Rod. We have some NY area BB members.

It would take 6 more seasons for him to break the record, if his current pace of home runs keeps up. He'd do it in 20 seasons as opposed to bonds who did it in 22 and Aaron 23.

Stay healthy, Mr. Rodriguez.

A-Rod is going to shatter the record, IMHO. 800 is not unlikely. ;)

Wonder if he can challenge Sadaharu Oh with 868

Does anyone outside of Japan REALLY care about Oh's "record"??? :shrug:

Meh... it would be nice if someone in MLB would have the title unquestioned.

I'd have said the same thing about Junior before he left Seattle.

All depends on whether or not he can stay healthy.

He should hit around 850 by the time he is done.

Funny... he was.

That does take a lot of the excitement out of this. Damn steroids. :cuss:

One steroid-taking douchebag of a human being might knock another steroid-taking douchebag of a human being out of the top spot.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/sword003/yay.jpg

I say put Maris and Aaron back in the record books as the all-time leaders.

He's not even the best player of his generation. That player wears the Birds on Bat uniform. Gold Glove, hits for average, just doesn't try to hit the ball out every time means he'll never break Bonds record but he was still a way better player than Bonds could have ever been. You tell me a moment that anyone will remember in 20 years from those guys? But, I bet you people will remember this one. That may have been the hardest hit ball ever.
http://rememberthesonics.files.wordp...-and-lidge.jpg
There can be only 1!
http://www.albertpujolsclub.com/wp-c...er-272x300.jpg

The sad thing is that because of the era Pujols plays in, we'll always wonder if he also indulged but just never got caught.

This.

But I believe he didn't.

Steroids?!? A baseball player?!? A-ROD?!?!?!?

SON..................I AM DISAPPOINT
http://www.complex.com/blogs/wp-cont...oids_bonds.jpg

This works better if you post Barry's rookie card.

http://tkcollier.files.wordpress.com...ookie_card.jpg

I know, this has probably been posted thousands of times here already. But it's still funny.

http://jay-mariotti.fanhouse.com/200...albert-pujols/

ST. LOUIS -- Why are we not surprised that President Obama, wearing a black glove with "Obama #44" scrawled into the leather, will throw/bounce/airmail Tuesday night's ceremonial first pitch to a designated catcher named Albert Pujols? The All-Star Game isn't simply a showcase for baseball's greatest treasure, whose ascent as a legitimate Triple Crown candidate conveniently converges with a Pujols-palooza setting in his home ballpark.

No, this is a presidential reminder that El Hombre, assuming he isn't living a lie like many in the Steroids Era, might be the only man alive who can save a too-toxic, too-slow, too-bureaucratic sport from itself.

And you know what? I'm going to pledge my heart and believe in Pujols' long-term innocence. That may be naive and silly, recalling how we wanted to embrace similar hopes about Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez after Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire and Roger Clemens and all the others let us down with performance-enhancement scandals. But I like how Pujols has spent his finest personal hour on a proactive mission to shoot down the reckless but unavoidable innuendo. Better than that, I believe him.

His training regimen is too dedicated. His past is too humble. His soul, on and off the field, is too grounded. His diet involves too much chicken and rice. His monstrous numbers haven't wavered since testing kicked in six years ago. And his words are too powerful -- attacking suspicious whisperers and bloggers the way he crushes pitches, volunteering that he passed six drug tests last year and vowing to take a test every day if necessary. If he fails, he says he'll return the entirety of his career earnings with the Cardinals, tens of millions of dollars over nine seasons. Not only is he putting his money where his mouth is, he's putting his fist in the face of every user who has dragged him down via guilt by association.

"My house is always open," Pujols said during a crowded media session. "They can come anytime to do all the tests they want during the offseason. I challenge them to try training with me for 3 1/2 months. They can come and check every place in my house, they can even come with me in my bathtub. I have nothing to hide."

The challenge came on the same day that a compelling piece appeared in USA Today, quoting Pujols as lashing out at those who doubt his integrity. His problem: Why assume he's guilty because the others were? "I can understand people being disappointed with A-Rod and Manny. But just because Manny made a mistake, now I have to pay? Just because A-Rod made a mistake, now I have to pay?" he said. "Oh, guilt by association? That's wrong. For people to be suspicious of me because of the year I'm having and for people to say I just haven't been caught, that makes me angry and disappointed. I would never do any of that crap. You think I'm going to ruin my relationship with God just because I want to get better in this game? You think I'm going to ruin everything because of steroids?

"I can understand why people don't know who they can trust or their hero was caught. I want to be the guy people look up to. But I want to be the person who represents God, represents my family and represents the Cardinals the right way. So many people can't wait until I do something negative. I can't understand it. That's sad, because I want to be that poster boy in baseball. Just give me the chance."



<!-- START SWF PUBLISHER -->

Albert Pujols USA Today cover story
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseb...ls-cover_N.htm
By Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY

ST. LOUIS — Major League Baseball's 80th All-Star Game is Tuesday, but this year it is Albert Pujols' personal party.

The St. Louis Cardinals first baseman is having one of the greatest seasons in history, putting up numbers last approached by Babe Ruth, Hack Wilson and Jimmie Foxx more than 70 years ago. Yet, it is his 32 home runs, 85 RBI and .338 batting average that have drawn suspicion, leaving Pujols hurt and angry.

"I can understand people being disappointed with A-Rod and Manny," Pujols says of the New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez and the Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez, who have been ensnared in performance-enhancing drug controversies this year. "But just because Manny made a mistake, now I have to pay? Just because A-Rod made a mistake, now I have to pay? Oh, guilt by association? That's wrong.


INTERACTIVE GRAPHIC: A look at Albert Pujols' perfect swing
PHOTO GALLERY: Cards' All-Star Albert Pujols in pictures

"For people to be suspicious of me because of the year I'm having and for people to say I just haven't been caught, that makes me angry and disappointed.


"I would never do any of that crap. You think I'm going to ruin my relationship with God just because I want to get better in this game? You think I'm going to ruin everything because of steroids?"
Pujols, who fell .012 points short in batting average of becoming the first player since Hank Aaron in 1957 to hold the Triple Crown at the All-Star break, has spent most of his 8½-year career putting up MVP numbers and building an impeccable reputation. But he has become more outspoken, talking about baseball's drug problem, players who don't respect the game and his future in St. Louis.

Pujols, 29, says he was tested six times last year as part of MLB's drug policy. But if that's not good enough, Pujols vows to take a test every day and, if he is caught using performance-enhancing drugs, he says, he will pay back the Cardinals every penny he has earned.

"Come test me every day if you want," says Pujols, who has the most home runs at the All-Star break since Barry Bonds hit 39 and Luis Gonzalez hit 35 in 2001. "Everything I ever made in this game I would give back to the Cardinals if I got caught."

Pujols realizes America is looking for a hero. He is volunteering, only if America will let him.


LOPRESTI COLUMN: Is St. Louis really that baseball-crazy?
BASEBALL PARADISE? St. Louis gets All-Star nod from players

"I can understand why people don't know who they can trust or their hero was caught," says Pujols, who has finished first or second in the National League MVP balloting in five of his eight seasons, with numbers remaining consistent before and since steroid testing began in 2003. "I want to be the guy people look up to. But I want to be the person who represents God, represents my family and represents the Cardinals the right way.
"So many people can't wait until I do something negative. I can't understand it. That's sad, because I want to be that poster boy in baseball. Just give me the chance."

Well-respected man
Pujols, who has three children with his wife, Deidre, and another baby on the way, goes to great lengths to maintain his untarnished image and uphold his deep religious beliefs. He doesn't drink or smoke. He doesn't have a tattoo or wear earrings. He doesn't go to bars, nightclubs or any place where his character could be assaulted.

"If we're in a hotel and a woman gets on the elevator by herself, I'll wait for the next one," Pujols says. "People have their agenda. You have to be careful who you can trust.

"It's the same thing with pictures. I'll have my picture taken on the field, but not off the field. Nowadays with photo technology, you can do so many things."

Pujols' on-field skills are admired by nearly every major leaguer, but he is also among the game's most respected players.

"He's my man," San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval says. "He's one I look up to. I think we all do."

Says Giant Randy Johnson, a five-time Cy Young Award winner, "I think Albert is the one guy in our game who could go to the opposition, say something, and they'd listen. That's how highly people regard him."
And the 6-3, 230-pounder is saying things more often, especially when it comes to showing respect for the game. The baseball cap should be worn properly. The jersey tucked. The back pockets in.

"I see teams take their jerseys out when the game is over," he says. "To me, that's not professional. I don't care what you do when you get off the field, but don't do it on the field. You don't want kids to see negative things."

Pujols, drafted in the 13th round in 1999, lives by his creed. He is in constant motion from the moment he enters the clubhouse five hours before game time until he departs late at night after lifting weights. Never is he clowning around, playing cards or watching TV.

"You've got to stay hungry," says Pujols, whose four grand slams this season are one shy of the NL record. "I see talent that is wasted after guys have one big year. I see players in the draft getting all of this money, thinking that guarantees them a trip to the big leagues.

"Just because you make $100 million, just because people say you're one of the best, doesn't mean you don't work hard."

Pujols' hard work has him on pace to go where only Ruth, Wilson and Foxx have been — a season with at least 50 home runs, 150 RBI and a .330 average. Then again, he already surpassed those Hall of Famers and every other player in history with at least 30 home runs and 100 RBI in his first eight seasons.

"It's as if he wants to not only be the best player today," Cardinals outfielder Chris Duncan says, "but the greatest player who ever played."

Free agency looms
Pujols received a record 5.3 million votes in All-Star Game fan voting and is eager to be the unofficial host of the festivities in his hometown, where he is scheduled to catch President Obama's first pitch Tuesday. He purchased a 24-person suite and tickets for 42 other friends and family members. It's a chance for everyone to celebrate his career and recognize he is the best player.

It also could be the prelude to his farewell.

Pujols, who signed a seven-year, $100 million contract in February 2004, is a free agent in two years. There are 16 players this year earning more than his $16 million salary, which includes four players who will be at the game. The question that haunts Cardinal Nation is whether the team will pay to keep him.

"I'm happy where I am and would love to be a Cardinal for the rest of my career," Pujols says. "If it's time for me to move on, I'll let God show me."
Pujols and the Cardinals have yet to open negotiations about a contract extension, but team owner Bill DeWitt says he hopes to begin talks this winter. For the Cardinals, time is running out.

"He knows we want him to be here, and we're going to make every effort to see that happen," DeWitt says.

Pujols is watching closely, trying to determine the Cardinals' plans. Will manager Tony La Russa, whom he adores, return? Will they be a big-time player in the free agent market? Or will they be content to keep their payroll below $100 million, leaving Pujols without adequate protection in the lineup?

"When you already made the money Albert has, you don't need to compromise," says Pujols' agent, Dan Lozano. "He is not going to chase the money. He wants to chase the rings."

The Cardinals, who haven't reached the playoffs since winning the World Series in 2006, enter the break in first. Yet there are fears of what will transpire in the second half. Pujols has been walked 71 times, including 32 intentionally, the most by any hitter outside Bonds since the stat became official in 1955.

It's this fear for Pujols, and the fact the cleanup hitters are batting .225 behind him, that could derail the season. It also could halt Pujols' bid to surpass Roger Maris' mark of 61 home runs, set in 1961. It since has been surpassed six times — all within a four-year period — and all by players linked to steroids. Pujols could become baseball's clean single-season home run king.

"I know I'm on the pace, but don't want to think about that," Pujols says. "To me, 62 isn't the record. You've got to hit 74. The king is still Barry."
But Pujols doesn't need the record to help his legacy. "History will be the litmus test," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak says. "If he continues like this and there are no blemishes, he will go down as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, in an era that has been questioned."

ROFLROFLROFLROFL Rep

Unfortunately for Pujols, practically every player who has vehemently denied using steroids in the past wound up being exposed as a liar.

But the fact that he STILL performs at the same astonishingly high level makes you think that maybe he is actually telling the truth. Because of that, he deserves to be given the benefit of the doubt. He's proven his point.

Jesus....another ****ing thread where NFL fans of all people bitch about steroids.

Too bad for the Cardinals when Pujols breaks the record he'll be playing for the Yankees or the Red Sox

look at the original post date. then look at the reason for the bump.

no one is bitching here. I found Saulbadguy's comment amusing.

Well, there is a difference between MLB and the NFL. MLB records used to be meaningful and to a lot of people they were one of the cool things about the game. NFL records have never been meaningful, so steroids have no real impact on the history of the game or the integrity of records that have been kept for over a century.

If you don't like reading posts about it, I suggest that you stop reading threads about it instead of bitching about the threads.

Personally, I think it has much more of an effect in baseball. Baseball is largely a one-on-one matchup of hitter vs. pitcher, and if your hitter is juicing and can hit the ball farther, turning an out into a homer, that's a big difference. Football, you have 11 on 11, and the effect isn't as pronounced IMO.

At least those teams get results with their bloated payrolls.......

Albert won't beat A-rod in "age to hit 500". Though he just turned 30, he has 366 on his career and would need to have record breaking, back-to-back, seasons to reach 500 faster. A-Rod broke the 500 plain at 32 years 8 days old and it didn't hurt that his birthday is during the baseball season. Since Albert was born in January, he'd have to his 134 home runs over the next two seasons.

Albert Pujols dob 1/16/80 home runs = 366
Alex Rodriguez dob 7/27/75 home runs = 583

Side by side comparison of total home runs in a season over the last 5 years
Year / AP / AR
2009 / 47 / 30
2008 / 37 / 35
2007 / 32 / 54
2006 / 49 / 35
2005 / 41 / 48
Total / 206 / 202

Certainly they are neck & neck with a slight edge to AP, but he has never had a 50 HR season, while A-rod has had 3. A-rod didn't come on the scene as quickly as AP either hitting only 5 HR's in his first 2 seasons, while AP had 71.

I love AP and would rather have him. I think he's better and a better all around hitter, but A-rod will hang on to his record for several years.

Here's the thing with Albert - I don't believe for a minute that he used steroids and I don't believe he ever would.

As a consequence, Cardinals fans need to realize that 'clean' players will actually age, as opposed to the steroids freaks of yesteryear. We probably only have 2-3 more years w/ this Albert. From there, he'll start to decline.

Now, as I've said before, the truly elite decline more slowly and do so gradually. As such, we'll see a guy that puts up 3 more seasons with an OPS of 1.000 or better, then a couple seasons in the .900s, then 3-4 more in the high .800s.

But Albert's only going to be Albert for so long. Enjoy it while you can.

It would be nice to root for a team that has a player who can be mentioned in the same breath as A-Rod.

But I live in Kansas City. :(

That is way more impolite than what I said. I am a huge fan of both, and to me there is no difference. As far as I know, back in the lower paying days guys baseball guys DID wash down some D-Bol when they were finishing of their fifths. Steroids are far from new. Money got huge and that changes everything. Try to physically match up NBA idiots from the modern era versus "old-school" guys...shit. And I HATE the NBA but respect the athletes.

Like I stated previously, Albert isn't just about hitting home runs. He hits for average also. Bonds certaintly didn't. Pujols is a complete player. Both Bonds and ARod are not. hell, Griffey jr. is a more complete player than both of them.

Really? :spock:

Any accomplishment A-Rod ever achieved in baseball is now tarnished because of steroids. I wouldn't touch him with a 10 foot pole.

Say what? Bonds didn't hit for average? Most guys would have been swinging at IBB pitches as many times as he got walked and shit. Pujols is just as good as anybody, and I don't care if he has done steroids.

And yes, Pujols is a better average hitter than Bonds overall.

I wouldn't count on that just yet. Yeah, the Cardinals can't compete salary wise with the Red Sox, Yankees and Cubs but they are not bottom feeders either. They can afford a top ten payroll.

I agree. They would be straight stupid to deal him in any fashion. I wouldn't count on Pujols breaking that home run record though, and that isn't even a bad thing. He already fights like crazy through injuries.

Spun off this discussion to a new thread and poll

Eat shit and die, Mr. Rodriguez.

This is dumb. Seriously, take it up with the commissioner's office. I don't understand the hatred for all the players. They were literally encouraged by the league to do it.