At spring training, Tony La Russa found that he had no choice – he had to put Albert Pujols in the lineup. By the end of the season, voters saw the same – and unanimously named him the 2001 National League Rookie of the Year. Pujols received all 32 votes (two voters from each National …
November 12, 2001: Albert Pujols is unanimous Rookie of the Year selection Read More »
As a veteran who had been with the club since making his debut in August 1990, Ray Lankford wasn’t ready to become the Cardinals’ fourth outfielder. Instead, following a reduction of playing time and a war of words between Lankford’s agent and manager Tony La Russa, the Cardinals sent the 34-year-old Lankford and $2.8 million …
August 2, 2001: Cardinals trade Ray Lankford for Woody Williams Read More »
Albert Pujols chose an ideal moment for his first career home run. The 2001 Cardinals had lost their first three games, allowing 32 runs during a winless season-opening series against the Rockies. The series hadn’t gone any better for Pujols, who went just 1-for-9 in Colorado, including an 0-for-5 performance in the second game of …
April 6, 2001: Pujols hits his first career homer in breakout game Read More »
