The Cardinal Nation blog

Spring pitching phenom Michael Wacha would likely not be a St. Louis Cardinal had Albert Pujols remained.

Looking at several records set by Hall of Famer Stan Musial being approached by today’s MLB stars.

The St. Louis Cardinals have retired Tony La Russa’s number 10. Should Albert Pujols be similarly honored in the not-too-distant future?

Excitement about St. Louis Cardinals prospect Matt Adams sent me back to the records to compare his Arizona Fall League results with Albert Pujols’ 11 years earlier.

Former St. Louis Cardinals greats Stan Musial and Albert Pujols had some off-field financial similarities in their contracts.

A new Albert Pujols-related tempest has ensued over billboards in California.

Now we can learn the inside story of Albert Pujols’ signing from the perspective of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Should Albert Pujols be kept out of the Hall of Fame if he was found to have lied about his age and identity?

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and shortstop Rafael Furcal are with their ex-teammate Albert Pujols in the Dominican Republic.

Some final thoughts from this past weekend’s annual St. Louis Cardinals fan festival.

Of the seven members of the St. Louis Cardinals pictured at the 2007 All-Star Game, not a one remains in his job today. A potential partial reunion in 2012 could be odd, to say the least.

A look back at the top projected stories across the Cardinal Nation in 2011 from one year ago.

St. Louis Cardinals’ superstar first baseman Albert Pujols left behind his only home as a professional for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Different St. Louis Cardinals fans are handling the aftermath of Albert Pujols’ change of baseball teams much differently.

Recapping the final two years of former St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols’ tenure with the team through a series of previously-posted articles.

Former St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols is now a member of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He says it is a matter of the heart, but all signs point to dollars.

315 copies of a rare Albert Pujols rookie baseball card are up for auction as a set. Our expert weighs in on this unique collection.

Is reported interest by the Chicago Cubs in free agent Albert Pujols a new chapter of an old story?

How many draft picks might the St. Louis Cardinals pick up by making offers of arbitration Wednesday night?

The ongoing subject of Albert Pujols’ age continues to make the papers, still without any substantiation.

You thought you had seen every stat? How about hitting results based on the bat used?

All-time ranking of some of St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols’ hitting feats accomplished Saturday night in Game 3 of the 2011 World Series.

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols had a performance for the ages on Saturday night, hitting three home runs against the Texas Rangers in a 16-7 win in Game 3 of the 2011 World Series.

First baseman Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals logged a number of milestones in their NLCS Game 2 victory Monday night.

With a huge game in NLCS Game 2 Monday night, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols moved into the MLB career top ten in post-season home runs and RBI.

Could the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2006 World Champion GM-manager-star trio be lured to Chicago’s North Side?

With declining attendance and the future of Albert Pujols to be determined, how will the St. Louis Cardinals approach this off-season?

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols is moving up career hit lists while improving his 2011 totals as well.

Both Albert Pujols and his St. Louis Cardinals team lead the National League in an unenviable category.

Comparing the St. Louis Cardinals’ record with and without Albert Pujols.

The St. Louis Cardinals badly need a major dosage of the Chris Carpenter and Albert Pujols of old.

Sinking the Chicago Cubs with walkoff home runs in extra innings on Saturday and Sunday put St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols in select company.

Colorado’s Todd Helton eventually renegotiated his nine-year contract downward after his performance declined. Would Albert Pujols do the same?

In terms of crucial RBI for the St. Louis Cardinals, Daniel Descalso’s 2011 start trails only Mark McGwire and Albert Pujols in the last 60 years.

Speculation that Albert Pujols may end up as a Chicago Cub starting in 2012 is growing and the two sides are contributing.

Examining inhibitors that might keep Albert Pujols from being granted an ownership stake in the St. Louis Cardinals.

Is Albert Pujols’ impending free agency affecting his results on the field? The first of our reader contest submissions digs into the question.

Albert Pujols and his St. Louis Cardinals are leading MLB in an unenviable stat, grounding into double plays.

The St. Louis Cardinals pounded the ball once again Friday night, led by Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman.

The St. Louis Cardinals superstar first baseman and his team are struggling in the early going.

MLB Network analysts John Hart and Harold Reynolds answer St. Louis Cardinals questions in support of their 30 Clubs in 30 Days Cardinals segment.

A national writer is quoted as saying the t. Louis Cardinals have concerns about the accuracy of their superstar’s age.

Results from a series of reader polls on the subject of St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols’ contract.

Bad feelings remain in New York even after a new deal with Derek Jeter was done. Could the same thing happen in St. Louis with Albert Pujols?

Readers can select the components of their best contract offer to soon-to-be free agent Albert Pujols.

Looking back at three big Albert Pujols stories from seven years ago.

On February 18, 2004, I broke the story of an event that was unprecedented in Major League Baseball.

Differing reports on the specifics of the Albert Pujols contract negotiations leave no clear answers.

What did St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols say about his contract in spring training camps during the most recent two springs?

Once Albert Pujols saw his shadow, his contract saga was assured of continuing for months.

Putting Albert Pujols’ opportunity to remain a life-long St. Louis Cardinal into games-played context.

How might the story unfold if the St. Louis Cardinals and Albert Pujols are unable to come to contract terms by the reported deadline of February 16?

The national media and a segment of St. Louis Cardinals fans reacted strongly to a rumor that Albert Pujols would veto any trades. Why were they surprised?

St. Louis Cardinals Albert Pujols’ endorsement earnings have grown to about half his baseball salary, but the first baseman still dropped in the 2011 Power 100.

A look ahead to the top projected stories across the Cardinal Nation in 2011.

Thoughts about why the Albert Pujols contract negotiations with the St. Louis Cardinals appear to be moving so slowly.

Completing his first decade as the on-field leader of the St. Louis Cardinals, first baseman Albert Pujols racked up a series of milestones during 2010.

Looking at OPS+ marks by the St. Louis Cardinals’ top three hitters over the Albert Pujols years.

How does the current middle of the St. Louis Cardinals lineup compare to their 2004 predecessors?

A series of quick updates on St. Louis Cardinals subjects currently in the news.

One columnist suggests the St. Louis Cardinals should sign Derek Jeter to replace Albert Pujols.

A series of quick updates on St. Louis Cardinals subjects currently in the news.

With 21 Gold Glove Awards over the last ten years, the St. Louis Cardinals almost doubled the next closest team and added another 13 Sliver Slugger Awards.

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols now says he wants to get a new contract done before the 2011 season begins.

Could the St. Louis Cardinals’ chance of keeping Albert Pujols beyond 2011 be heading south?

Calling out a pair of interesting articles about the St. Louis Cardinals star player and his former teammate (along with his current manager, sort of).

Some statistical highlights and just-misses in another stellar season for St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols.

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.

Albert Pujols is competing with some of baseball’s greatest ever as he compiled his sixth 40 home run season in 2010.

Albert Pujols already has more 36 doubles-36 home run seasons than anyone in MLB history.

Who is trailing Albert Pujols and Stan Musial with the most multiple-home run games in St. Louis Cardinals history?

St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols now has as many 30 doubles-30 home run seasons as anyone in MLB history.

St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols became the 47th member of MLB’s 400 home run club, doing it in fewer at-bats than all but four of them.

St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols has become the 47th member of MLB’s 400 home run club, doing it faster than all but two of them.

Could an unexpected challenger ruin the chase for the Triple Crown?

Albert Pujols hit his 33rd home run of the season Monday night. How does that stack up in the history books?

In the last half-century, no St. Louis Cardinals hitter has had more seasons of four or more four-hit games than Curt Flood.

The two big bats in the St. Louis Cardinals lineup have been driving in runs with two outs in 2010.

What Albert Pujols is swinging at, where and resulting contact rate leads to a lower slugging percentage in 2010.

Albert Pujols had his fourth three-home run game on Sunday. Mark McGwire had just three as a St. Louis Cardinal.

Ho hum. Albert Pujols drove in multiple runs in Thursday’s game – again.

Three St. Louis Cardinals hitters have at least 24 RBI through the team’s first 39 games and are on pace for 100 RBI seasons.

When he crossed the plate four times on opening day, Albert Pujols tied for the fourth-most such games in St. Louis Cardinals history.

St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa didn’t mince words when asked about the Ryan Howard-Albert Pujols trade rumor.

Wanting to set the record straight about his contract status, the Cardinals first baseman takes his story directly to the fans.

A look ahead to the top projected stories across the Cardinal Nation in 2010.

The continued greatness of Albert Pujols was not taken for granted as he earned his third NL Most Valuable Player Award in 2009.

If the Cardinals ever reach the point of considering the unthinkable, trading Albert Pujols, Mark Teixeira’s history provides an important lesson.

Why the conditions may be right for the St. Louis Cardinals to move to lock up Albert Pujols.

How many awards will Albert Pujols take home this season?

Comparing and contrasting Mark McGwire’s recent comments about Albert Pujols’ value with a famous 2001 interview critical of escalating MLB player salaries.

Some doubt the presence of Matt Holliday in the Cardinals lineup benefited teammate Albert Pujols.

Historically-based factoids from the Cardinals’ NLDS game one loss Wednesday night.

Though the odds are clearly against him, Albert Pujols still has a chance to match Ducky Medwick.

The Cardinals current RBI leader has nothing on an under-recognized former great from the 1920’s and 1930’s.

Albert Pujols’ 2009 home run, doubles, RBI and stolen base output matches only a select few in MLB history

Average, home runs and RBI for hitters. Wins, strikeouts, ERA for pitchers. The quick measures of a balanced and successful season.

Albert Pujols leads the Cardinals in every other statistical category, so why not in obscure ones, too?

Another data point regarding Pittsburgh closer Matt Capps’ history changes one man’s opinion of Albert Pujols’ plunking on Sunday

On Saturday, Albert Pujols drove in his 100th run of the season, again.