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http://www.chrisoleary.com/projects/Baseball/Hitting/TheHittingMechanic/Images/AlbertPujols_2006_HomeRun_002.jpgWhen you think of Major League Baseball, you visualize guys like Derek Jeter, Prince Fielder, Ryan Howard, and so many other superstars. But the guy that always comes to my mind will be Albert Pujols, who to me and so many other people, think he is the best baseball player to ever live. Pujols, in what the people at my age would say in the term for "spectacular," is truly a "beast."

But there is something about this St. Louis Cardinal for this year. Does Pujols have a chance at the Triple Crown? Baseball Prospectus examines that the baseball star has a 134-1 longshot to win this thing since Carl Yastrzemski winning the Triple Crown way back in 1967. Pujols has been amazing this year and people have been talking about him winning the Triple Crown way back when the MLB season just started.
As of March 31, 2009, Pujols was being fantastic. Last year, Chipper Jones beat him for the batting title with his .364 batting average edging out Pujols' .357. This chart explains what has been going on as of this year between the two contenders:*Chart provided by BaseballAnalysts.com.

If you have trouble seeing the image, click here for a larger view or just click on the image. It's pretty cool, isn't it? But that was way back in March. Back in June 22, 2009, Scott Miller of Bleacher Report examined that Pujols is on a pace for 61 home runs, 159 RBI, and .329 batting average this season. I could believe that after looking at what he has as of right now (look in Sources below for hyperlinks).

Cody Swartz of Blecher Report is looking for someone to actually win the Triple Crown. Swartz believes Albert Pujols does have a chance of the Triple Crown. Here is a chart he made with Pujols' year-by-year Triple Crown breakdown:
















































































Year



Batting Average



Home Runs



RBI



Triple Crown #



2001



6 (rank in the NL)



11



5



7.33



2002



7



10



2



6.33



2003



1



4



4



3.00



2004



5



2



3



3.33



2005



2



3



2



2.33



2006



3



2



2



2.33



2007



6



10



12



9.33



2008



2



4



4



3.33



2009



7



3



3



4.33



Average Year



4.33



5.44



4.11



4.63



*Chart made on June 2, 2009

It's a great chart and it just seems like Pujols has a chance. But with BP's projection of Pujols pace of having 53 homers, .326 BA, and 148 RBI for this season, they say he may not win in any categories. But hey, it's what they believe. I can believe that as well. Both Scott Miller and BP have good predictions. Heck, maybe Pujols may pull something off that'd be way off the predictions anyone has ever imagined.

In my opinion, I really don't think he has a chance. I am just going to put it that way. If they are any disagreements, so let it be, I am up for criticism. First off, Pujols may have zero chances of winning an RBI title with Prince Fielder and Ryan Howard having the best chances of winning it, as BP examined. But yet, I may be wrong as well. Pujols does have a chance, but in my opinion he doesn't. BP says he has a 22 percent chance of winning both the home run and RBI title.

And again, like I said earlier, Pujols has a 1-134 longshot of winning. With Pujols winning it, he has to go for 70-183 with a .343 BA for the rest of the season. BP, I strongly believe your predictions. But, remember my opinion.

Gambling911.com says that Pujols has a 3/1 odds of winning the Triple Crown. I don't blame them. I really don't blame anybody. If Pujols can pull this off, it's going to be magical. I really don't see this happening, but if it does, you got me. Everyone got me. Hey, Pujols has a chance. But it's going to be a longshot.

But that's what makes the game of baseball so damn great.

Sources


Albert Pujols Triple Crown--Baseball Prospectus (must have ESPN Insider to view article)
Albert Pujols Triple Crown--Baseball Analysts
Scott Miller--Bleacher Report
Albert Pujols Stats--ESPN
Cody Swartz--Bleacher Report
Associated Content
The Red Zone Report
Cardinal Beat
Gambling 911

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