2004 – Avoiding an arbitration hearing, the St. Louis Cardinals and Albert Pujols agree to a $100 million, seven-year deal. The 24-year slugging 1B/OF, who hit .359 with 43 home runs and 124 RBI in 2003, was the runner up to Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants in National League MVP voting.
Albert Pujols joins Jose Canseco as the only other player in major league history to hit 30 home runs and drive in 100 runs during his first three seasons. The Cardinals left fielder accomplished the feat with a run-scoring double in the first inning of the team’s 3-0 victory over Florida at Busch Stadium.
In the Cardinals’ 8-2 victory over Milwaukee at Busch Stadium, Albert Pujols drives in three runs in his first two at-bats with a first-inning groundout and a two-run double in the fourth, breaking the National League rookie-record with his 120th run batted in this season. The 21 year-old first baseman, who will finish the year with 130 RBIs, surpasses the mark established in 1930 by Wally Berger, who played for the Boston Braves.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!