St. Louis Cardinals fans would probably rather forget Wednesday afternoon’s collapse at New York’s Citi Field as the Mets shut out the visitors by a 9-0 score.
Still, there was at least one positive to come out of the game. After hitting a double and two home runs on Tuesday night, Albert Pujols came back strongly on Wednesday, proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that his recent slump is totally behind him.
Albert stroked a pair of doubles in three official at-bats Wednesday, both to left field. The first was hit so hard that despite running at full speed, Pujols barely made it into second base before the throw. (He also reached base a third time when hit by a pitch.)
The two Mets contests became Pujols’ 13th and 14th multiple extra-base hit games this season. In the process, he extended his 2009 Major League Baseball lead in the category over Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder and the Dodgers’ Andre Ethier, both with 11.
Multiple extra-base hit games – 2009 MLB
| Games | |
| Albert Pujols | 14 |
| Prince Fielder | 11 |
| Andre Ethier | 11 |
| Mark Teixeira | 10 |
| Cody Ross | 10 |
| Justin Morneau | 10 |
| Nick Markakis | 10 |
| Adam Lind | 10 |
| Raul Ibanez | 10 |
| Brad Hawpe | 10 |
| Ryan Braun | 10 |
The best season of such games by a Cardinal player since at least 1954 was set at 19 by Pujols in 2004 and tied by him again just two years later. In fact, Pujols has registered seven of the top 15 seasons with multiple extra-base hit games by a Cardinal over at least the last 55 years.
Considering the quality of hitters that have donned the birds on the bat uniform back to and including the second half of Hall of Famer Stan Musial’s career makes Albert’s feats even more impressive.
Multiple extra-base hit games, season – Cardinals (1954-2009)
| Year | Games | |
| Albert Pujols | 2004 | 19 |
| Albert Pujols | 2006 | 19 |
| Mark McGwire | 1998 | 18 |
| Ryan Ludwick | 2008 | 17 |
| Jim Edmonds | 2004 | 17 |
| Stan Musial | 1954 | 16 |
| Mark McGwire | 1999 | 16 |
| Jim Edmonds | 2003 | 16 |
| Stan Musial | 1957 | 15 |
| Albert Pujols | 2009 | 14 |
| Albert Pujols | 2008 | 14 |
| Albert Pujols | 2003 | 14 |
| Scott Rolen | 2003 | 13 |
| Albert Pujols | 2002 | 13 |
| Albert Pujols | 2001 | 13 |
| Jim Edmonds | 2000 | 13 |
| Ken Boyer | 1960 | 13 |
| Dick Allen | 1970 | 13 |
| Fernando Tatis | 1999 | 12 |
| Scott Rolen | 2006 | 12 |
| Jack Clark | 1987 | 12 |
| Garry Templeton | 1979 | 11 |
| Scott Rolen | 2004 | 11 |
| Albert Pujols | 2005 | 11 |
| Ray Lankford | 1996 | 11 |
| Felix Jose | 1991 | 11 |
| Jim Edmonds | 2005 | 11 |
| Orlando Cepeda | 1967 | 11 |
| Lou Brock | 1967 | 11 |
Given the high number of top individual seasons already put into the record books by Pujols means it is not surprising that he leads the Cardinals in such career games in at least the last 55 years. Albert’s total of 126 games is a whopping 40 percent higher than accumulated the closest player, Ray Lankford.
Multiple extra-base hit games, career – Cardinals (1954-2009)
| Games | |
| Albert Pujols | 126 |
| Ray Lankford | 90 |
| Jim Edmonds | 80 |
| Lou Brock | 77 |
| Ken Boyer | 76 |
| Stan Musial | 71 |
| Ted Simmons | 58 |
| Bill White | 51 |
| Scott Rolen | 46 |
| Mark McGwire | 46 |
| George Hendrick | 45 |
| Keith Hernandez | 42 |
| Willie McGee | 40 |
| Curt Flood | 39 |
| Brian Jordan | 36 |
| Joe Torre | 33 |
| Garry Templeton | 31 |
| Edgar Renteria | 30 |
| Ozzie Smith | 28 |
| Ken Reitz | 27 |
| Ryan Ludwick | 27 |
| Todd Zeile | 26 |
| Julian Javier | 25 |
| J.D. Drew | 25 |
| Terry Pendleton | 24 |
| Wally Moon | 24 |
| Tim McCarver | 23 |
| Orlando Cepeda | 23 |
| Rip Repulski | 22 |
| Darrell Porter | 22 |
| Joe Cunningham | 22 |
| Fernando Tatis | 21 |
| Vince Coleman | 21 |
| Ron Gant | 20 |
| Jack Clark | 20 |
Here in 2009, Pujols still has roughly a third of the season, 52 games remaining, to build onto his total. If able to maintain his pace the rest of the way, Albert would end with 21 multiple-extra base hit games. That would vault him to the top with the best season in the category by any Cardinal in at least the last 55 years.
Extra innings coverage – Pujols also leads in five-or-more RBI games
Pujols’ five-RBI outing on Tuesday night was his fourth of the 2009 season. That is the most such games in a single season by a Cardinal since at least 1954. In doing so, he broke a tie with himself in 2006 and 2007, Mark McGwire in 1999 and an unlikely name, Joe Hague, in 1970.
Five-or-more RBI games, season – Cardinals (1954-2009)
| Year | Games | |
| Albert Pujols | 2009 | 4 |
| Albert Pujols | 2007 | 3 |
| Albert Pujols | 2006 | 3 |
| Mark McGwire | 1999 | 3 |
| Joe Hague | 1970 | 3 |
| Ted Simmons | 1973 | 2 |
| Ted Simmons | 1980 | 2 |
| Scott Rolen | 2006 | 2 |
| Edgar Renteria | 2003 | 2 |
| Albert Pujols | 2001 | 2 |
| Albert Pujols | 2004 | 2 |
| Stan Musial | 1954 | 2 |
| Stan Musial | 1961 | 2 |
| Mark McGwire | 1998 | 2 |
| Brian Jordan | 1996 | 2 |
| George Hendrick | 1980 | 2 |
| Pedro Guerrero | 1990 | 2 |
| Ken Boyer | 1956 | 2 |
| Ken Boyer | 1961 | 2 |
Pujols has now doubled up Big Mac for the most five-or-more RBI games in his Cardinals career with 16.
Five-or-more RBI games, career – Cardinals (1954-2009)
| Games | |
| Albert Pujols | 16 |
| Mark McGwire | 8 |
| Stan Musial | 7 |
| Ken Boyer | 7 |
| Ted Simmons | 6 |
| Scott Rolen | 4 |
| Edgar Renteria | 4 |
| George Hendrick | 4 |
| Jim Edmonds | 4 |
| Bill White | 3 |
| Willie McGee | 3 |
| John Mabry | 3 |
| Ray Lankford | 3 |
| Brian Jordan | 3 |
| Keith Hernandez | 3 |
| Joe Hague | 3 |
| Pedro Guerrero | 3 |
| Curt Flood | 3 |
Thanks to Tom Orf for the data tables.
Hey Brian, what do the scouting reports say? Do you think this Pujols guy will ever amount to anything?
Seriously Brian…..excellent work! It almost gets tiresome reading about how Albert has broken another record or set another milestone, but you know what this one was pretty enlightening. You wanna’ talk dominance, the man is only half way through his career. While Stan was the Man of the day, Albert is truly the El Hombre of today!!!
Albert has already buried the needle on so many measures of Cardinal greatness it will soon be time to re-calibrate the greatness meter.
Stan is talked about as the greatest Cardinal hitter, but Albert is being considered as potentially the greatest hitter ever, at least right handed, and even that qualifier may go by the boards someday.
I wonder how many such games Musial had in 1948 when he had 103 extra base hits. Pujols had 99 xbh’s in 2004.
Wonder who will take Brian Barden’s now vacant spot on the 40 man roster.
bb, probably no one right away. They already had two openings before. Now they have three. We will see with the September call ups who is added, if anyone.
If you are a Scout subscriber, you can read an article about this that I posted this afternoon.
Its good to see Albert working with his swing. Patience, staying closed, hitting whats given. Let Holiday get in phase and life will be better. Lugo seems a little insulated as do a number of Cardinal hitters. How about that Tony put Rick 2nd. Rick may never recover. Yadi, down in the order seems disinterested. Across the board Pittsburgh is taking better at bats than SL save for AP. I’m watching Ludwick now. Open stance, trying to time a step in. Idiot.
No way Carp should see 8th with 99 pitches plus the delay. LaRusa’s a boob if he is that short sighted. Holiday does that job, Luddy too.
Carp is struggling. This is when you get hurt. Tony is an Idiot.
TLR has been known in the past to keep his starters in longer than some fans (and writers) are comfortable in an attempt to get them the “W”.
Part of it might be team psycology. Let them see the ace man up and overcome. Inspirational, especially when you’ve got some guys that seem to be challenged in that area.
Carpenter sure didn’t seem to me to be struggling after the third inning. He only allowed three baserunners over those five innings and was pretty darn efficient.
But we’re all entitled to our opinions about who might be an idiot.
Carpenter was hanging everything. So what! When he starts shaking his hand from the wrist, heads up. Thats elbow. He was purposefully aggressive because he trailed most of the game. When he had the lead his job was done. He did the 8th on the understanding that if gives up a hit he’s out. On his suggestion? Who knows. It just shows up the bullpen and the risk is all his? KMac should have pitched the 8th. He needs to be controlled. If the Bullpen can’t work, we’re history anyway. If he goes down, 4th place again.
As loyal readers are mindful, Jumbo is an idiot. This is so, if truth be told.
More happily, Jumbo does not feel lonely. It takes an idiot to know an idiot. And happily, one of his best friends here is a prize idiot.
Khalil Greene drove in a run as a pinch-hitter yesterday. This is a good sign and an indicator of how he may be able to contribute valuably. In a pennant race, every roster slot is important and we can use help from everybody.
We could use another starting pitcher and a reliever, if Mo can find either commodity.
I feel happy about some recent developments:
1. Acquiring Matt Holliday (Boras man)
2. DeRosa playing through an injury and still contributing
3. Help from long ago bonus baby Blake Hawksworth (Boras man)
4. Acquisition of Lugo, exit of Chris
5. Return of Khalil
The team is helped when Ludwick, Ankiel or Rasmus make useful contributions.
This pennant race is not going to be easy by any means. Good luck and health will impact the remainder of the race, for all teams. But the Birds obviously have a chance and are gaining strength.
Jumbo, no one called you an idiot. That was for me and its true. I shouldn’t call Ludwick an idiot for failing to recognize the reasons for his brief return to productivity. Also Tony having a very animated conversation with Dave around the 3rd trying to decide if he thought Carp’s troubles were a symptom of physical problems or injury. If you can’t finesse a team like Pittsburgh, then who? Tony was doing his job, but I think taking chances for a win that were unwarranted. That does not make him an idiot. Now batting psycho Ankiel 2nd, thats another topic, or watching a straight legged open stanced Rasmus continue into oblivion. Do we need a power guy, or do we need a on base guy? I know the answer to that one even in my lunacy.
Maybe Tony persists in trying Ankiel or Rasmus in the 2 hole because a lefty hitter is preferable in that spot. With a runner on first, being held by the first baseman, a lefty is more likely to pull one through the hole between first and second, avoiding a DP. Also, a hit to right is more likely to advance the runner to third than a hit to left. With runner on second, a lefty is more likely to hit behind the runner allowing advance, and a fly to right doesn’t have to be as deep to advance the runner to third. Tony plays the odds, so this would appeal to him. Of course, it doesn’t matter if the lefty doesn’t perform.
I’m sure there is truth in that BB. We need a contact hitter. Lugo blinks on and off. DeRosa is a no. Colby would be a natural but he doesn’t have the swing or the brains I guess. We need another Albert. Rick’s personal hitting trance just washed away. The solution to all our problems is a hitting coach.
Tony has Schumaker, Rasmus as 1 and 2 tonight, which in the past had meant Albert batting with bases empty.
If he makes specific demands on Colby……bunts, hit and runs etc……….. Just letting him swing is paralyzing Pujols, who the Pirates now figure will settle for singles and walks.
Opponents have figured out how to get Colby out and he hasn’t been able to make the adjustments.
Don’t know if that’s his failing or Hal’s. I’m one who thinks Hal is not the problem. He’s not a head doctor.
Against pitching like this, its time to be embarrassed. Albert is out of position an awful lot for me. He had some pitches to hit and just really didn’t. He wants to hit the long ball and he isn’t waiting for it. Jumpy again. Don’t even ask me whats on Lugo’s mind. Luddy has closed it down some.
It is a wonder Pujols could stroke that three-run, bases-clearing double since he is so messed up. I guess he is succeeding despite all the adversity… (rolls his eyes)….
About my last two posts, never mind!
Brian, you really need to be able to see what happened there. Look at Albert’s face, he will let you know whats happening. The hit of the game was Colby’s bunt. He should be doing a lot of that. Albert staying back on 2/2 count with a rookie (first appearance) reliever does not make that a good at bat. He was in trouble there. High fastball beats him. I predicted many aspects of this game in this thread. Heres one for you. Albert may win one aspect of the triple crown, RBI’s. He won’t touch home runs or average. He is seriously questioning him self right now. The Rbi’s only because Holiday is behind him. The Cardinals stunk tonight, save for Waino’s work.
Wouldn’t you agree that a team that can win even when they stink has a bright future. They had hits all up and down the lineup for a change, thought they played all right, certainly good enough.
To reach the majors, you have to be determined. Rasmus has been headstrong to swing a certain way. The Cards have wanted him to bunt, walk, hit the other way, set the table. Maybe if he bunted tonight he is getting the message that he can earn playing time if he does what is needed.
Sorry Bling. Not much looked good for me save the fact that Tony may begin to hit Rasmus second and go to a little more of a speed game. Albert did really well yesterday in his first three at bats. Today, 2 on with no outs, he got behind and then turned over the double play ball. He was so exasperated that he didn’t even run out of the box. He is struggling emotionally right now. He is down on himself. Thats a tough challenge for someone that has such an intimate spiritual dialog. The tendency is to recognize the accusing voice as someone other than your own. The Cardinals won with starting pitching again. They should be pummeling that team. Yadi, screwing around calls for a hanger from the hangerman himself which scrabbles the closer. That won’t get you to the playoffs. This is when the innings wear and tear starts to accumulate. This is of course not based on statistics but only my humble experience.
I hope so Jumbo. It’s the key. You know by gabbing with RC that Colby is always thinking of the profitable step. The kid can run but has no stolen bases or many infield hits. Its what we need because I fear Old Rick has returned.
Pujols is “struggling emotionally” and “down on himself.” Ankiel is psycho. Seems like one of the patients has flipped things around and is himself now playing the make believe role of noggin doctor.
The Cards are not going to give Rasmus the green light to steal with Pujols and Holliday coming up. But the kid needs to do what the team needs by getting on base.
Sober up Jumbo. The “lets not leave first base open” is over. Teams see that they can pitch to Albert and they will. We need a guy on second. All good teams want a guy on second. How the hell would you know if you don’t watch the games anyway…….
Good points Westy, we should be pummeling what is essentially a glorified AAA team. Jumbo’s right about no stealing ahead of Albert and Holliday. No big leads even.
Bling, good teams pay big money for speed up front. A guy on second base seriously impairs the pitcher. It reduces the number of low breaking pitches amongst other things, let alone if he gets to third. Since Holiday has arrived, teams are pitching to Albert, some very effectively. If Albert starts dictating like yesterday taking Maholm away, Cards are in business. If he won’t give up the cheap hr thrill, you will see a real struggle. He is jumping at the ball, left shoulder completely out of play. Yesterday he kept his hips closed and just stroked away. The privilege of only having to hit when they couldn’t walk you is over. He may adjust. He hasn’t.
I’m not saying a double ahead of Albert wouldn’t be better than a single. I’m saying the risk of losing a base runner ahead of Albert outweighs the benefit of getting him from first to second. The risk involved would be a lot less if we had a ricky Henderson or a Brock, but we don’t. Our most successful base thief is Yady after all. No way do I want to see Schu or Ras taking that risk with Albert in the box and Holliday on deck.
There is a “localisms” going on here. Thats losing baseball. Rasmus hasn’t even learned to take a lead yet. Its time to start developing this team instead of making it some sort of accessory to Pujols purse.
Sad to see Clayton Mortenson get ripped today. Not quite ready for prime time.
bb, If the As want to develop Mortenson, he should break in as a relief pitcher, like we are doing with Hawksworth and did with Wainwright.
Westie, I invest my time explaining inside baseball, stuff that cannot be seen. If I am interested in the unseeable, it stands to reason that I would not watch games, right?
In contrast, you sometimes overinterpret what you observe, partly since enthusiastically impatient. Though you sometimes mention philosophers, you seem to have a sprinter or football outlook that is out of step with the patience apt for the long slow season of baseball.
I will accept wins on the road over Pittsburg. They may be a bunch of no-names, but the Pirates players are probably hungry and the Pirates have beaten the Cards before. Right now, its all about winning. We do not need to win by 15 runs, 1 is enough.
Rasmus is tough-minded. This has benefits and it has drawbacks. In spring 2008, he played their game of get on base, then was unhappy he did not make the team from AA. So this year he focused on being Jim Edmonds junior. Now that we have added Holliday and DeRosa, he needs to change his outllook. But Tony can’t make him do this, Rasmus has to decide this for himself. Maybe Albert or Holliday could persuade him. Or watching Ankiel play may persuade him.
Yeah, in the minors, Rasmus had plate discipline and a speed component to his game. It desperately needs to come back for the Cardinals to have a balanced lineup. It’s clear to everyone that they are slugger-heavy. Rasmus had a 81% steal success rate in the minors. Let him run. Give the opposing pitcher something else to worry about.
Duke could have a good pickoff move.
Tony is blessed to have Greene as a substitute for DeRosa. Against the tough southpaw, we only have one lefty swinger and he is stashed at the bottom of the lineup.
What a nice game today, as we wrap up a road sweep.
The running game was iffy, with Molina picked off and Holliday thrown out. But Skip long-balled us to victory.
I am happy about exhuming Wellemeyer on Tuesday. It seems like the best decision, even though its not an easy decision, because none of the options is encouraging (Welly, Baby Face, Boggs, Walters). LaDuncan were smart to take Welly off line to skip a few starts. We hope he will emerge with an optimistic new frame of mind, after his little vacation. If Wellemeyer could be revived, it would be better than trading for someone else’s iffy veteran. Great thinking, LaDunc.
Jumbo, you did not mention Hawksworth, who I think deserves a shot. Still, I will join in your applause if and only if Wellemeyer actually pitches well on Tuesday. Until then, your celebration seems most premature.
Good to see the Cards finally inch to 11 games over .500. This month is the time to beat the teams that should be beaten. So far, so good.
Good to see Joel hang in without his best stuff early, like we’ve seen from Waino and Carp. Doubt if he’d have survived a better lineup though.
Hawksworth is off a starter’s routine by working as a reliever.
The decision to start Welly seems reasonable. Its a tough decision, because no one inspires a lot of confidence. We do not have a Tommy Hanson ready to plug into the rotation. So we might as well call on the old war horse Welly to see if he can consume some innings and give us a chance to win.
Jumbo said:
As was Wellemeyer and Thompson… Your point is?
Wellemeyer and Thompson have a lot of ML starts behind them, whereas Hawksworth has exactly none to date. TLR can be demanding as regards vets, whereas he prefers to protect rookies like Hawksworth. So we would be more inclined to toss Wellemeyer or Thompson back into a starting role, than Hawksworth.
Hawksworth is helping out surprisingly well as a reliever, so it seems apt to keep him in this role. If Hawk were to audition for a starting role, spring training seems the likeliest place.
Last year, LaDuncan ragged on Pineiro. They were not happy with him. But Joel turned the corner and lifted his game this year, much to my surprise. They got on Jeff Weaver in 2006 and squeezed good performance out of him late in the year. Maybe they can squeeze a few decent games out of Wellemeyer too. We are paying him enough money, he needs to step up and contribute.
Hawksworth is likely to get a multi-inning chance to impress either tomorrow or Tuesday.
After 2008, with a Memphis ERA over 6, Hawksworth was not beloved by fans. This was worse for Memphis last year than Welly in the majors this season. Happily in 2009, Hawksworth shaved about 2.5+ runs off the ERA at Memphis as a starter/ Duncan noticed Hawk was doing something better in spring training, so maybe he showed a better sinker.
the early lift of Motte again looks like a possible move coming. They need to send him down so he can pitch everyday for a few weeks. He isn’t any good in a pennant race if he can’t produce. I think they might bring someone in.
Westy, good point, but who? No standout relief candidates.
The musical chairs among position players has tightened up. For quite a while it was Pujols and Molina and six empty seats to be filled every day. Now, with Holliday, DeRosa, Luddy settling in and the emergence of Ryan at SS, we have only center (Rasmus/Ankiel) and second (Schu against righties, Lugo lefties). K. Greene being the odd man out, but versatile enough to be useful. A big bat off the bench would be nice, but this relative stability going into the stretch should be fun to watch.
I don’t see a bat coming in. You could well see a chance on a bullpen arm.
Wonder if Bonds can still hit?
watching Manny struggle after coming back Roid free, I don’t like Bonds to make a big splash anymore. There is an owner block against his return. If not, some loser would have picked him up just to sell more Hot Dogs.
Has WCW been right on anything all year? I really haven’t paid much attention since he said we were going to release Ludwick (and implied that was the right move).
Do pay more attention CC.
Spoke too soon about the musical chairs thing. Tonight Albert and Matt are sandwiched between Colby and Rick, then Greene, no Luddy. Should be interesting.
We’ll see soon enough. Kind of peculiar that Welly comes up lame in a playing catch session. If the elbow is just inflamed, wouldn’t they just grease it with Anti-inflam’s, unless he was already maxed out on them that is, which is very possible. Very interesting development for the Welly. Career move?
Wellemeyer is scary. He should not be starting games.
It would be nice if the Cards were able to pick up an arm. I was hoping that they’d manage to land Springer, but no such luck. If no one else takes him, maybe Smoltz? He probably won’t make it out of the AL, either. He was unlucky to give up so many HRs and a 33K:8BB ratio isn’t bad at all.
Would Smoltz’ ego allow him to be a mere set-up man? He may be better off retiring.
I am intrigued by Billy Wagner, though $ would be a problem.
No, no. Smoltz over Wellemeyer in the rotation.
Different possible roles for him or Springer, but both would have been nice.
It seems indisputable that Boggs has given us a chance to win, 5-0 in games he’s started isn’t it.
Welly didn’t seem overly concerned about missing his chance to get back in the rotation. No fire. He’s just punching the clock.
Lohse’s range of motion is improving. He is keeping the ball down anyway. Velocity is still way down. It would be nice if this offense would pop him a 5 run lead so he could relax. As soon as the ball starts to climb in the zone, he will be yanked. 6 innings max.
That was an interesting opportunity to see Albert’s swing now against his past home run swings.
That pitch was meat, and he pulled off of it. Lohse’s ball is starting to rise.
Going into free agency this upcoming winter, Wellemeyer could use a strong finish. Right now his market value is very low. Maybe this is why he overdid it on Saturday and incurred a sore elbow. Its frustrating for LaDuncumbo. Sigh.
Welly’s injury illustrates the importance of health and depth. Good we added MacLane and Perez, helping Memphis survive promoting Hawksworth and Boggs. Likewise stashing of catcher Brandon Yarbrough turned out to be clever, when Bryan Anderson was injured. Good job of stocking Memphis.
Well, Lohse pitched a fine game even without a preposterously large lead. Also good, Gorzelanny got shelled in Colorado.
Four wins in a row is starting to get exciting, even if it is against the bottom feeders of the NL Central.
Jumbo, the only thing I saw on a possible cause of Welle’s injjury was TLR wondering if he overdid it on Saturday. It was not presented as fact.
MLB.com report: link
The Celebrex comment is the give away. Two weeks takes him right up to the deadline. He is being managed, for his future and his player value to the team.