You got to remember that Pujols was transferred from LF to 1B after being an awful outfielder on defense. I still think he most likely took steroids because his numbers are just CRAZY. You cant just be a 13th round pick to being so DOMINANT without something.
Man, I HOPE Biggio never used them. I really do. Bags is definitely guilty in my mind, but I hope I'm wrong
I would agree with you if all Pujols was doing was hitting home runs, but he has been a dominant overall hitter his whole career. He can get a clutch single as often as he can jack a home run. I absolutely hate Pujols, but there is no one even close to him in the league right now.
I don't get why you're comparing two players using different defensive metrics. Regardless, A-Rod was a fine defensive SS, posting very good UZR numbers while in Texas, and considering what you get out of most shortstops offensively, was almost without question a more valuable player from 2001-2003. Maybe as a RHH, but Bonds was also superior in his ability to get on base. Even before he 'roided up. And speaking purely as a hitter, Pujols doesn't come close to Ted Williams, and at age 29 is probably closest to Frank Thomas, offensively. We'll see how he fares in the latter years of his career.
He was actually a 3B, and played LF, RF, 3B, and 1B, until he got moved to first after Mcgwire retired. He was never a regular OF before that. Its said that Pujols worked extremely hard at his defense once he was moved to a permanent position. Being a 13th round pick is amazing considering he dominated in HS, and in his one year of JUCO hit .461. The guy had shown he could play. That doesn't mean he doesn't use PEDs, but just because he was a 13th round pick means nothing. Oswalt was a 23rd round pick.
He destroyed Minor League pitching. There are a lot of great players who got drafted lower than they should have, keep in mind that Pujols didn't go to a big baseball school (and there were a lot of scouts that were shocked he wasn't taken higher).
I was using Range Factor for both, but I mistyped. And we are talking about best player right now. A-Rod wouldn't be a good SS anymore.
I already stated that Pujols is a better player now, but A-Rod was better in 2007 and better from 2001-2003, Pujols' first three seasons and A-Rod's last three as a SS. Still up in the air regarding who finishes with the better career. It's not a surprise that Pujols, who's five years younger, is currently the better player.
We could argue all day about who is the greatest hitter/player of all time, but Pujols is amongst the best hitters ever. Watching him is watching greatness. Pujols is one of the few individual players that I would pay to go see. His numbers may start to decline, but thats the opposite of what happened with Bonds who at the age of 37 went onto 4 of the greatest seasons in history. You never know.
I think as a player Bonds was better than pujols. He was a 5 tool player w/o the steroids. He would have been the only player in the history of the game with 400-400. Lets not forget about those Gold gloves either. Arod also stole bases, and as a SS he put numbers that aren't close to other SS. There have been 1st basemen who have put up monster number. Maybe not pujols good, but still comparable. There are very few SS close to AROD.
Yeah Bonds is definitely a better overall player than Pujols, it's not even a discussion IMO. Having said that, Pujols is still one of the best hitters of this generation. But Bonds is one of the best players of all time.
I must say I disagree. I started watching baseball around '96, so I definitely saw the prime of Bonds's "clean" years. He was a great player yes, but I don't think he was ever in the "greatest of all-time" talks until the home runs came in the early '00's. I actually do think that, if clean, Pujols will go down as one of the best of all-time.
The Barroid was better than Pujols and is definitely one of the game's all-time greats, but it goes without saying that his legacy is beyond tarnished. At least I can be at peace knowing that scumbag cheater and loser that ROBBED Pittsburgh of a winning team (See: Curse of the Barroid) never got a ring.
Then you actually missed a lot of Bonds' best clean years. Did you know he won 3 MVPs before you started watching baseball? 1990, 1992, and 1993. Again, I'm talking about best all-time *overall* player. Compared to Pujols, Bonds is obviously a much better defensive player and steals a lot more bases. And as far as pure hitting goes, I think Bonds is just as good as Pujols... if not slightly better.
