Pujols tops La Russa's list

Cardinal outfielder is steadily establishing himself as a superstar.

By R.B. Fallstrom ~ The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS -- Tony La Russa has been managing so long that he studiously avoids superlatives with his players for fear of offending one of his stars from the past. It's commonplace for La Russa to refer to a feat or an athlete as "tied for first."

All of that is out the window with Albert Pujols. The St. Louis Cardinals' third-year star is playing so well, going 20-for-30 in one white-hot stretch with eight straight hits, La Russa simply can't help himself.

"A lot of guys have talent and play below it," La Russa said. "This guy keeps maximizing his talent and keeps wanting to learn. For anybody, he sets the bar.

"The way he works, the way he's willing to learn, he's the best player I ever managed."

Pujols was the National League rookie of the year in 2001 after playing in Class A ball the previous year. Last year he was the MVP runner-up to Barry Bonds. Now he's leading the major leagues with a .389. average, and he's at the head of La Russa's class, in front of the likes of Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, Rickey Henderson and Dave Stewart.

"He's a guy you don't want to face too much," Cardinals reliever Dustin Hermanson said. "That says it all pretty much right there."

Superlatives have been piling up for Pujols ever since a hamstring injury to Bobby Bonilla opened the door for him at the start of the 2001 season. He had been ticketed for Triple-A Memphis, but instead headed straight for stardom.

Pujols' latest feat was a bases-clearing double in the eighth inning against Orioles closer Jorge Julio that was the game-winning hit in an 8-6 victory on Friday night. That was his seventh straight hit, and an RBI double in his first at-bat the next day gave him eight straight hits.

Pujols also is among the league leaders with 51 RBIs. He's first in slugging percentage, second in extra-base hits. He leads the team in hitting with runners in scoring position.

Last month, the was the NL player of the month after batting .345 with 10 homers and 26 RBIs.

"Every time, I try to have a good at-bat," Pujols said. "I don't try to take anything for granted or give away at-bats and that's what I want to do all year long.

"At the end of the year I'll look where I am and I'm pretty sure I'm going to feel good with the success."

Pujols also has managed to avoid being a minus in left field, despite a sprained elbow ligament that has limited his throwing. La Russa took a chance when Pujols' injury was first diagnosed in mid-April, playing him with strict orders not to cut loose.

La Russa said at the time he was sticking his neck out.

"But I couldn't sit him out until June 1," La Russa said. "That was on me. Now, I don't feel like I'm out there as far anymore."

At first, shortstop Edgar Renteria would sprint to the outfield so Pujols could flip it to his teammate and center fielder Jim Edmonds yelled constant reminders, but as time has gone on the elbow has improved. He threw close to full-out on Friday in an attempt to cut down a runner trying to take an extra base.

"I'll tell you what, I was sore a little bit on that throw," Pujols said. "My forearm got real tight. That's how it is when you don't use your arm, on a long throw like that it's going to get tight."

Pujols promises he'll be careful. He's also been battling a sore left hamstring much of the season, though neither of the injuries have kept him from punishing pitchers on a daily basis.

"It's tough when you've got any kind of injury," Pujols said. "But I've been giving 100 percent. If I get a chance to create something, I don't think about anything else but helping the team win."