The Rise of Albert Pujols and His Baseball Cards

As Barry Bonds passes Babe Ruth and takes aim at Hank Aaron, Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols has emerged as baseball’s most popular and collectible slugger.

The hobby’s most pursued card is the limited Pujols ‘01 Bowman Chrome “Autograph” rookie (#340), currently selling for $2,500. Because of the black borders, graded versions of this card are extremely rare. Of the 207 different Pujols Chrome “Autograph” rookies that have been submitted to Beckett Grading Services, only one has received a 10 rating (the highest possible grade). This one-and-only pristine card recently sold for $15,400, while a 9.5 version sold for $10,200.

Just 26 years old, Pujols is already considered baseball’s best right-handed hitter. The reigning MVP is the only player in history to begin his career with five 30-homer seasons and he began the 2006 season by setting the major league record for homers in April (14). Pujols has been a model of consistency, averaging 40 home runs and 124 RBI per season and batting .332 over his career.

The Pujols legend began in 1999 at a Maple Woods Community College in Kansas City, a school known more for business management and engineering than baseball. While teammates were focused on their studies and other collegiate activities, Pujols, then a shortstop, set his sights on the major leagues. In his one season of college ball, Pujols hit .461. Just Minors captures Pujols’s brief college baseball career with ‘04 “Featured Insert” (#AP1), a good buy for $5.

Although scouts marveled at Pujols’s natural hitting ability, power, and work ethic, they were concerned about his weight and ability to play defense in the majors. He dropped all the way to the 13th round, where the Cardinals made him the 402nd player chosen. Just before the start of the next college season, Pujols signed with the Cardinals for $60,000. He spent the 2000 season climbing the organizational chart, earning an invitation to spring training the following season.

Still a bit raw and without a position, the Cardinals figured Pujols would begin the season in the minors, until Bobby Bonilla pulled a hamstring before the team headed north. Pujols quickly overcame the Cardinals concerns, setting an NL rookie mark for RBI (13) and total bases (360) while hitting .329 with 37 homers. The Pujols ‘02 Topps card (#719, selling for $4), recounts Pujols’s Rookie of the Year season.

Pujols game-used cards are extremely active, ranging from $10-$500.