2004

Albert Pujols

February 19, 2004: Albert Pujols signs a team-record $100 million extension with the Cardinals

Just one day before the Cardinals and 24-year-old Albert Pujols were set to meet in Phoenix, Arizona, for an arbitration hearing, the two sides agreed to the richest contract in team history, one that would keep the young star in St. Louis through the 2011 season and two World Series championships. On February 19, 2004, Pujols

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Yadier Molina

June 3, 2004: Yadier Molina gets two hits, throws out first baserunner in his debut game

A muscle strain that literally took Cardinals catcher Mike Matheny’s breath away opened the door for 21-year-old Yadier Molina to make his major league debut and – as the third member of the catching Molina brothers to reach the majors – make a little history as well. On June 2, 2004, Matheny was removed in

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Albert Pujols

July 20, 2004: Albert Pujols goes 5-for-5 with three home runs in Cardinals’ comeback

Even before Chicago Cubs left-hander Glendon Rusch threw the game’s first pitch to St. Louis Cardinals leadoff batter Tony Womack, tensions were high in Wrigley Field. The previous night, the fireworks started when Jim Edmonds hit a two-run home run off Chicago’s Carlos Zambrano. The fiery Cubs right-hander felt that Edmonds spent too long admiring

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