Summer Premium Live and Catalog Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/14/2016
During spring training in 2001 a young Albert Pujols did what he does best; he hit the baseball all over the ball yard…all over many Florida ball yards. However, despite the tremendous production Pujols achieved during his first ever Major League spring training, the St. Louis Cardinals really didn’t have room for him on their roster. When he heard Pujols was not going to make the Major League team, Mark McGwire approached his manager and friend Tony LaRussa and said, “If you do not put Pujols on the roster, it might be one of the worst moves you make in your career.” LaRussa heeded this advice and it began one of the greatest rookie seasons since Ted Williams in 1939.
Despite no set position, Pujols rotated all season among first base, third base and both corner outfield spots. With all that movement it is amazing Pujols continued to hit, enough to win the National League Rookie of the Year award and finishing fourth in the MVP voting. During that spring training, Pujols wore number 68, and was not issued his customary number 5 until the regular season began. This is the road jersey Pujols wore that 2001 Spring Training.
The gray jersey has the name “Cardinals” across the chest with the popular perched birds on bat motif, all in stitched thread. The number “68” appears below and on the reverse with the name “PUJOLS” across the back on a gray nameplate. A bold, black Sharpie “Albert Pujols” signature adorns to reverse #6. Within the front tail is the “Rawlings Authentic Collection” manufacturers tag (JSA sticker affixed) with attached “46”, “SET 1 2000” and “2 INCH SHORTER LENGTH” flag tags. The 2000 year tag is not uncommon for spring training jersey as most of these jerseys are re-used from year to year. For confirmation of Pujols wearing this number and jersey, his most popular rookie card, the 2001 SP Authentic #126 card depicts him wearing this number. The provenance is further enhanced by letter on St. Louis Cardinals letterhead, dated Monday, January 21, 2002” certifying this is a “Albert Pujols Game Used Autographed Spring Training Jersey”. This is the earliest known Pujols Major League gamer, worn during the contests which put Sir Albert on the map, which began his Hall of Famer career. This jersey comes with a full LOA from St. Louis Cardinals “CARDINALS CARE Community Fund” for the jersey, and a full LOA from JSA (B32264) for the signature.