DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 09: Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts to his third inning solo home run to reach 2000 career RBI's while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on May 09, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
In 2001 Albert Pujols made his MLB debut. Since his debut, Pujols has made himself arguably one of the greatest of all time.
Now at the age of 39, Albert Pujols is a former rookie of the year, 3-time MVP and10-time All-Star. The slugger has also joined the 600 home run club, the 3000 hit club, and most recently he joined the club of players with 2000 RBIs.
But how does Prince Albert rank amongst five of the games greatest?
Could he possibly have a better career than some of the greatest to ever hit the field? Pujols is near the top in most offensive categories and he continues to rise. Pujols arguably still has a chance to be in the top five in HRs when he hangs up the cleats. When he finally does call it quits maybe the results on this list will be different but for now, here’s what we’ve got.
Let’s take a look, but before we do here is a look at some stats that will be used to compare Pujols to the great names on this list.
Games: 2728
Hits: 3110
AVG: .301
RBI: 2003
HR: 641
WS: 2
Now, let’s get to it!
Albert Pujols Compared to Babe Ruth
Games: 2503
Hits: 2873
AVG: .342
RBI: 2214
HR: 714
WS: 7
When fans think of the game of baseball and its rich history. One name always comes to mind. “The Great Bambino”, Babe Ruth.
Ruth wasn’t just one of the first greats of the game, he is also to many the most recognizable baseball player of all time. Whether it be his championships (7) or his “called shot”, Ruth will be the face of baseball history for the foreseeable future, not to mention he held the home run record for decades before it was broken by Hank Aaron (later on this list).
Ruth was for the most part on his own in the early 1900s (an exception would be Ty Cobb). Between Ruth and Pujols, The Babe is ahead by numbers in most categories.
Ruth has the edge in all of the above categories except for base hits. Ruth also played in fewer games.
Not many will surpass Ruth in statistical categories but Pujols does have base hits on him by plenty, but with that being said Ruth’s numbers are too enormous for Pujols to pass up.
The better career: Ruth
Albert Pujols Compared to Ernie Banks
Games: 2528
Hits: 2583
AVG: .274
RBI: 1636
HR: 512
WS: 0
In the city of Chicago “Mr. Cub”, Ernie Banks, is a legend, as he is with the rest of the baseball world.
But how does he stand up against the likes of “El Hombre”?
Banks (as you can see above) put up some amazing numbers, whether it be his 500+ home runs or his 1600+ RBIs Banks had one heck of a career without winning a single championship.
Pujols has played for two teams (The Cardinals and Angels) and has surpassed Banks in basically everything. Pujols is part of the 600 home run club, the 2000 RBI club and also the 3000 hit club. Pujols also has a career avg about 25 points better than Banks.
Banks is arguably the greatest Cub of all time in their franchise’s great history. Mr. Cub also joined the All-Star game more than Pujols doing it a whopping 14 times, while Albert only did it 10 (which is still great).
Unfortunately for Banks, he was part of the Cubs 108 year championship drought (1908-2016) and never won a World Series despite how great he was. Pujols passes Banks in so many categories that the debate has to go to the side of Sir Albert.
Better career: Pujols
Albert Pujols Compared to Willie Mays
Games: 2992
Hits: 3283
AVG: .302
RBI: 1903
HR: 660
WS: 1
“The say hay kid”, Willie Mays, in many fan’s eyes is the greatest player of all time, his career has been highlighted by one play, but he was so much more than that. Mays had everything, a five-tool player.
Mays was a 12-time gold glove award winner, while Pujols only had two of them at first base. There is no doubt that both of them showed/show prowess in the field but Mays went above and beyond defensively.
The numbers speak for themselves. Whether it be Mays’ power, his speed or his average, Willie always impressed. However, this may be the closest contest on this list.
Pujols has played in fewer games (about a season’s worth) and isn’t far behind in any of the categories. Pujols actually is ahead in RBIs. Runs batted in can arguably be looked at as more important than home runs. The scary thing is that Pujols possibly could catch up in the category of HR and hits depending on how long he continues to play.
Both ballplayers are so similar this is honestly impossible to decide. You can, of course, give Pujols the advantage in driving in runs but as of this point, there is no winner.
Better career: Tie
Albert Pujols Compared to Hank Aaron
Games: 3298
Hits: 3771
AVG: .305
RBI: 2297
HR: 755
WS: 1
Hank Aaron is to many, the true home run king. holding the record of 755 HRs for decades (before being passed by the next man on our list).
When you look at Pujols and Aaron side by side, Aaron has the advantage but the biggest difference is in games played. “Hammerin” Hank played in 3298 games, Pujols is well behind. This may be what is going to make this debate closer.
Pujols is behind in every category and has (in recent years) slowed down. Aaron did the same thing, slowing down near the end of his HOF career, however, it took more season for it to show in Aaron.
Until Bonds broke Aaron’s home run record, it was thought to be impossible that someone would surpass it. When Bonds finally did, Aaron’s legacy was not tarnished and he still is, as mentioned before, to many known as the true home run king. Pujols most likely won’t reach Aaron’s numbers in terms of homers but most men won’t.
If Aaron had played in the same number of games as Pujols maybe the statistics would have been closer, but if Pujols can somehow get it going again maybe he can make this decision more difficult. For now, it’s gotta be The Hammer.
Let’s leave the all-time home run leader for last. Barry Bonds has had a controversial career, to say the least, but there is no argument that his play on the field was sensational.
Bonds has done it all, hit for average, hit an eye-popping number of homers, but there are some discrepancies in his game that Pujols has.
Sometimes the home run is so attractive that it makes a player unbelievable in the eyes of a fan, and for Bonds it is incredible. There is so much more to the game than just long balls and Pujols puts on a showcase in some categories compared to Bonds.
Pujols has hit an eye-popping number of home runs in his career and while they aren’t at the number of Bonds it still puts him in elite company being just one of nine members of the 600 HR club.
Next. From 10 to 1, Ranking MLB's Greatest Hits of May 5. dark
Bonds has the edge in homers but Pujols has the advantage in hits, RBIs, and average. Pujols has also two of what players dream of, championships. Bonds never won a world series and that can make or break a decision. With a championship Bonds would have the edge, but in this debate, there is no winner.
