Number 32:
Albert Pujols.
Pujols was born in the Dominican but moved to the U.S. as a
teenager. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the 13th round of the
1999 draft. Starting in 2001, he has been in the Cardinals' lineup
almost every day since.
Pujols has been an incredible force in the lineup, setting a
record by hitting 30 or more home runs in his first seven seasons. He
won the 2005 NL MVP, then again in 2008 and 2009, and has finished
four three other times. He began as a third baseman and moved to left
field, but settled at first base. He's become one of the best of
all time there.
Pujols has earned 214.38 ratings points through 2012.
A proud man possessed of a blazing fastball, and a good enough athlete to play with the Harlem Globetrotters. Gibby was a fiery competitor, and a terrific World Series player. He spent his whole career with the St. Louis Cardinals, beginning in 1959 with a 13 game stint. He broke through in 1961, at age 25, his control still a little shaky. That would soon improve, and Gibson was shortly the Cardinals' ace. He won 20 games in a season five times, and 19 two others. He was a big part of pennant winners in 1964, 67 and 68. In that 1968 season he set one of the most incredible modern record, posting a 1.12 ERA for the season, including 13 shutouts. That was the Year of the Pitcher, but it was still a breathtaking performance. He won the MVP for that, and Cy Youngs in 68 and 70. He won nine straight Gold Gloves 1965-73. His ERA is helped by working in a pitching-dominated era, but he was still overpoweringly effective.
His World Series heroics lift him to a new level. In three Series, he made nine starts, going 7-2 with a 1.89 ERA. He was on the mound for 7th game wins in 64 and 67, and the 7th game loss in 68. Gibson was typically in a 5-day rotation, getting four days of rest between starts. He never started more than 36 games in a season. But in the Series, he worked on three days or even two days rest. The Cardinals were going to win or lose with their best pitcher on the mound, and that was Gibson.
Gibson earned 217.86 ratings points.
Gibson's stats: 251-174 record, 2.91 ERA, 3117 K, 255 CG, 56 shutouts. posted by Shawn Weaver at 4:06 PM
