Is Pujols ready to replace Bonds as home run king?

Kat O’brien of Star-Telegram
http://origin.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/baseball/14688754.htm?source=rss&channel=dfw_baseball

At the rate he is hitting now, and his incredible penchant for improving each season, Pujols might have an entire room full of MVP awards by the time his career ends. The Cardinals first baseman was batting .323 with 23 home runs and 58 RBI entering play Saturday. His OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) was an absurd 1.255.

"He’s on pace for 80 home runs," Rangers third baseman Hank Blalock said. "Everyone keeps saying it’s early, but it’s been two months. I think it’s time to start giving it some attention."

Actually, Pujols was on pace for 77 home runs. And, yes, it’s early, but if he continues at this pace he would surpass the single-season home run mark of 73, set by Barry Bonds in 2001. For those who would like to keep Bonds out of the record books as much as possible because of the steroids allegations surrounding him, Pujols could be the antidote.

Some Rangers players, while not accusing Bonds of anything, agreed that it could be a positive to have a player atop the record books whose name has never been associated with drug use.

"It’s amazing what he’s doing," outfielder Brad Wilkerson said. "He’s having Barry-type numbers. Seventy-three, I don’t see that happening, but if he does it…I think it’d be great for the game."

Said Blalock: "The good thing about it is he’s going to play his whole career with really strict steroid testing. From now on, no one can accuse him of anything. I think it’s so great for baseball if he breaks the home run record."

Some question the assertion that Pujols never used steroids because players are not tested for human growth hormone. But to throw Pujols’ name onto the list of possible steroid users with absolutely no evidence, beside the fact that he hits a lot of home runs, is unfair.

He has been an incredible hitter since he broke into the majors in 2001. His career average (entering Saturday) is .325, and he has never batted below .314 for a season. He has driven in between 117 and 130 runs every season, scored from 112 to 137 runs, and hit from 34 to 46 home runs.

Pujols isn’t really doing anything new. He chased a Triple Crown last year, and in fact, Pujols finished top-five in the NL in home runs, RBI and batting average in each of the past three seasons. He’s just stepping his slugging up another level.

"It’s a joke," Rangers shortstop Michael Young said. "I laughed when I saw him saying he’s not a home run hitter, he’s a line drive hitter. Line drives don’t end up 40 rows up. Players are definitely talking about it [the home runs]."

Even Bonds said he was rooting for Pujols to pass him.

"I love it!" Bonds told reporters. "I hope he shatters it."

Young says Bonds has not been dethroned yet, because he’s coming back from multiple knee surgeries.

"I don’t care what the numbers say," Young said. "Barry Bonds is still the best hitter in the game. It’s 1 [Bonds] and 1A [Pujols]."

But…he cautioned…it’s close. If Bonds’ numbers (.250 with six home runs through Friday) don’t improve, Young would turn the crown over to Pujols by season’s end.

"Then I’d flip-flop them," Young said. "One and 1A, but reverse the order."

Then Prince Albert, as Pujols is nicknamed, can become King Albert. And all of baseball will celebrate.