St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols continues to put his name among MLB’s greats, this time for combined seasons of 40 home runs and 115 RBI.
Last time we put Albert Pujols’ 2010 accomplishments into a historical perspective, we reviewed the list of MLB’s most proficient 40-home run hitters. Now, we will expand that to also include those with at least 115 RBI.
That particular milestone was selected after the St. Louis Cardinals first baseman drove in three at Wrigley Field on Sunday, as he regained the National League RBI lead at 116. Pujols’ 42nd home run of the season was a three-run missile that landed on Waveland Avenue. In the process, he extended his home run lead in the NL as well.
In MLB history, only eight men have posted five or more seasons of at least 40 long balls and 115 or more RBI. With six such years, Pujols has tied Hank Aaron for third on the all-time list, behind Babe Ruth and Alex Rodriguez. While five of the other seven continued beyond age 30, both Jimmie Foxx and Ken Griffey Jr. stopped at the age where Pujols sits today.
As a footnote, those who qualified at five years of at least 40 home runs but fell off this list due to not having enough 115 RBI seasons are Mark McGwire (four), plus Harmon Killebrew and Willie Mays (three each).
40 home run, 115 RBI seasons, MLB history
| Rank | Player | Years | 1st | Last | Age | |
| 1 | Babe | Ruth | 11 | 1920 | 1932 | 25-37 |
| 2 | Alex | Rodriguez | 7 | 1998 | 2007 | 22-31 |
| T3 | Albert | Pujols | 6 | 2003 | 2010 | 23-30 |
| T3 | Hank | Aaron | 6 | 1957 | 1971 | 23-37 |
| T5 | Manny | Ramirez | 5 | 1998 | 2005 | 26-33 |
| T5 | Ken | Griffey Jr. | 5 | 1996 | 2000 | 26-30 |
| T5 | Jimmie | Foxx | 5 | 1932 | 1938 | 24-30 |
| T5 | Lou | Gehrig | 5 | 1927 | 1936 | 24-33 |
Thanks to researcher Tom Orf for providing the above table.
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I could see how “dead arm syndrome” might effect some of our starters…………even the ones with fewer innings. Sometimes rehab can be more strenuous than innings pitched I might speculate. Personally, I see other factors ……………… but hey, that’s just me.
Pujols almost never flips his wrists to get elevation………………..but he did there. HR’s and RBI’s on his mind…………not a struggling pitcher. Holiday way out in front as usual. No sac fly from him. Weak.
Lohse is matched up against a pitcher with a higher ERA. Strange.
Smart for Tony to give at bats to Craig. We know Jay’s a keeper. Craig needs Jay’s at bats to audition for next year’s team.
That time he took it where it was pitched……………….but then got caught playing with his speed. No way was that a good baseball play. Any good team would have done exactly that defensively. Never at 3rd with to outs.
Lohse brings it with him. It is no accident.
Albert can do whatever he wants to do. This thread is in celebration of Him.
5 IP out of Lohse. If God is merciful, this will be all for the evening.
Lohse hasn’t been too bad.
I don’t get why Skip is getting reps. Why not let Greene start everyday to see if he can pull it together.
I’m already wondering what the weather is going to be like in Minneapolis for the post-season. The Twins are only a game out for home field advantage. Would love to see a little sleet during the WS.
Shu and Craig both go out of the zone…………….gong!!!!!!!!
Lohse, 10 hits and 2 walks in 6 IP, WHIP of 2. Ugh. At least TLR sent Kyle out there for 106 pitches, so DeWitt could get some effort for the money.
139 games, 142Ks for Rasmus.
Colby seems to forget how everyone gets him out…………… its ground hog day………….not to good.
Situational hitting for this team is the worst I’ve seen…………save maybe for may daughters 5th grade soft ball team…………………… naaaayyyyyyyy, even they weren’t this bad.
Pagnozzi and Brendan Ryan were selected in adjoining rounds of the 2003 draft. Maybe Pagnozzi can replace LaRue next season. Hitting wise, LaRue is not a tough act to follow.
One similarity between Pagnozzi and Molina: both had relatives who were ML catchers.
Molina spent about 3 years in the minors, very little time. Pagnozzi has toiled away for 7.5 seasons in the minors. Reminds me of Dick Hughes, star pitcher in 1967. Hughes signed from amateur in 1958 and reached the majors in late 1966, 8+ seasons in the minors.