Coming to a breakfast table near you

ST. LOUIS -- In a career filled with firsts, St. Louis Cardinals star Albert Pujols made room for another on Thursday.

Pujols, the only player in major league history to hit .300 with 30 home runs, 100 RBIs and 100 runs in each of his first four seasons, now graces the cover of a Wheaties box with his power-stroke follow-through.

"To have your picture on a cereal box is awesome," Pujols said. "There's a lot of players they could choose and they chose me.

"The young kids, they're going to hopefully see their favorite players when they go shopping with their mom in the supermarket, and it's just a humbling honor."

Pujols was the NL rookie of the year in 2001, finished second in the MVP balloting in 2002 and '03 and won a batting title with a .359 average in 2003.

That was enough for the Wheaties people to make Pujols the first Cardinals player it has honored since Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith.

"Albert Pujols clearly has distinguished himself as one of the top players in major league baseball," Wheaties marketing manager Eric Treschuk said. "He is truly one of the brightest stars in the game today, and the sky is the limit for how good he can become."

The 12-ounce Pujols Wheaties box will be available nationally next week. Pujols is the first player to be honored since a new sponsorship agreement made Wheaties the official breakfast cereal of major league baseball.

"He's a huge talent, and there isn't anybody in baseball doing more than he is now," manager Tony La Russa said. "I'm happy for him."

Among other Cardinals who have appeared on the Wheaties box are Paul and Dizzy Dean, Pepper Martin, Joe Medwick, Johnny Mize, Marty Marion and Stan Musial. Wheaties began its association with professional sports in the mid-1930s.

Pujols said he doesn't eat Wheaties regularly, "but my kids eat a lot and I'm pretty sure after today I will, too. It's healthy for you."