The Machine

2009 National League MVP voting was unanimous for St. Louis firstbaseman Albert Pujols. It's his third MVP award, joining an elite list of ten players who've won the MVP three times (Yogi Berra, Barry Bonds, Roy Campanella, Joe DiMaggio, Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Mantle, Stan Musial, Alex Rodriguez, and Mike Schmidt). In every year since he entered MLB he has finished in the top ten MVP voting. In different seasons he has lead the National League in Batting Average, On Base Percentage, OPS, Hits, Runs, Total Bases, Doubles, Home Runs, and Intentional Walks. This year he lead his team in AB, Runs, Hits, Doubles, Home Runs, RBI, Walks, Stolen Bases, Slugging Percentage, On Base Percentage, and second in Batting Average to a player who put in 63 games for the Cardinals. ESPN also lists him as best among National League firstbaseman in fielding statistic Range Factor. In 2007 Pujols became the first player to start his MLB career with seven consecutive years of .300 Batting Average, 30 HR, and 100 RBI. He's extended that record two more years already and at the age of 29 he is already a viable Hall of Fame candidate. His consistently excellent performance earned him the nickname, "The Machine".

There is even reason to beleive he's clean of PED, his faith. In a July 2009 USA Today article where he offers to get tested every day for steroids:

You think I'm going to ruin my relationship with God just because I want to get better in this game? You think I'm going to ruin everything because of steroids?

His Pujols Family Foundation website spells out the depth of his faith:

People have said to me, “Albert, I would give anything to be able to play baseball like you.” They may look at my abilities and think that being a great baseball player is the goal of my life. Believe it or not, baseball is not the chief ambition of my life. Becoming a great baseball player is important to me, but it is not my primary focus. Because I know the Hall of Fame is not my ultimate final destination.

My life’s goal is to bring glory to Jesus. My life is not mostly dedicated to the Lord, it is 100% committed to Jesus Christ and His will. God has given me the ability to succeed in the game of baseball. But baseball is not the end; baseball is the means by which my wife, Dee Dee, and I glorify God. Baseball is simply my platform to elevate Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. I would also rather be known as a great husband and father than an All-Star baseball player. Perhaps one day I could be honored with an invitation into Baseball’s Hall of Fame. That would certainly be a boyhood dream of mine come true, but it is a far greater honor that one day I will be in heaven with God to enjoy Him forever.