Albert Pujols
From Santo Domingo streets to 700 home runs: The Machine's Angels era.
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara, known as "the Machine," joined the Los Angeles Angels after a legendary career with the St. Louis Cardinals and later played for the Dodgers. During this tenure, he became one of the greatest hitters in franchise history, known for his unique combination of contact hitting ability, patience, and raw power. His time in Anaheim contributed to his status as an all-time great, eventually becoming the fourth player with 700 career home runs.
- Position
- First Baseman / Designated Hitter
- MLB Tenure
- 22 Seasons (St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers)
- MVP Awards
- 3 (2005, 2008, 2009)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Pujols' journey to the majors began in humble circumstances. Raised mostly by his grandmother and ten uncles and aunts, he practiced using limes for balls and milk cartons for gloves. After immigrating to Independence, Missouri, in 1996, he played at Fort Osage High School, where he was walked intentionally 55 times as a senior yet still hit eight home runs in 33 at-bats. Despite being undervalued due to uncertainty about his age and build, the St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the 13th round of the 1999 draft. He initially turned down a $10,000 bonus before signing for $60,000. His minor league debut saw him named MVP of the Midwest League and later the PCL playoffs with the Memphis Redbirds.
In Their Own Story
During spring training in 2001, incumbent first baseman Mark McGwire warned manager Tony La Russa that failing to promote Pujols might be one of the worst moves of his career. On Opening Day against the Colorado Rockies on April 2, Pujols became the first major league player born in the 1980s. Just four days later, he recorded his first home run against Armando Reynoso. By midseason, he was an All-Star, finishing the year with a .329 average, 37 home runs, and 112 RBIs. He was unanimously named NL Rookie of the Year after setting a rookie record with 130 RBIs. In his first three seasons, he became one of four major leaguers to hit their 100th career home run so quickly, tying Ralph Kiner's record.
Reader's Guide
Pujols played 22 MLB seasons across the Cardinals, Angels, and Dodgers. He won NL MVP awards in 2005, 2008, and 2009 and was an 11-time All-Star (2001, 2003–2010, 2015, 2022). A six-time Silver Slugger and two-time Gold Glove winner at first base, he led the NL in home runs twice. He surpassed 3,000 career hits, becoming the 32nd player to reach that milestone. In his final season, he moved into second place all-time for career RBIs and total bases while joining an exclusive club of players with 700 home runs. His career is defined by a rare blend of consistency and power that few have matched.
Did You Know?
- Pujols practiced baseball as a child using limes for balls and a milk carton for a glove.
- He was the first major league player born in the 1980s to record a hit on Opening Day (April 2, 2001).
- As a high school senior, he was walked intentionally 55 times but still hit eight home runs in just 33 at-bats.
- He is only the fourth player in MLB history with 700 career home runs.
- Pujols turned down an initial $10,000 signing bonus from the Cardinals before they increased it to $60,000.