Pujols appreciation thread

[epatmythes]

Originally Posted by 5pujols5

I was at the 2009 All Star Game in STL. Before the game started while everyone was stretching, Pujols saw a group of soldiers from Fort Leonard Wood standing at the outfield fence. They were going to hold the flag during the anthem. He went over to them and signed baseballs, jerseys, or whatever they had at the time. He signed for all of them. I realize he was the face of that all star game being in STL and all, but was still a classy thing to do. As you can obviously tell from my user name...he's my favorite player of all time.

I lived in the STL metro during his entire tenure there. By his third year in the league (2003)... it was totally a forget about getting his autograph situation. He didn't engage with fans, he didn't sign, period. You basically had 2 opportunities a year to get his autograph in person... pay a boat load to play in his charity golf tournament, or be lucky enough to buy a very limited (usually 150-200) autograph ticket for him at the Cardinals Winter Warmup. I was fortunate enough to get 4 pieces signed by him over the years via the Winter Warmup route. St. Louis Sports Collectors Inc., from 2004-2011, did a couple "private" signings with him, but that was maybe 2, 3 tops that I can recall. For his prices though, it was always something I wanted in person... never went the private signing route. A few years back, he did sign at one of the big Chicago shows... to date, it's the only public appearance I can recall outside of Cali.

[speedyjg13]

Originally Posted by epatmythes

I lived in the STL metro during his entire tenure there. By his third year in the league (2003)... it was totally a forget about getting his autograph situation. He didn't engage with fans, he didn't sign, period. You basically had 2 opportunities a year to get his autograph in person... pay a boat load to play in his charity golf tournament, or be lucky enough to buy a very limited (usually 150-200) autograph ticket for him at the Cardinals Winter Warmup. I was fortunate enough to get 4 pieces signed by him over the years via the Winter Warmup route. St. Louis Sports Collectors Inc., from 2004-2011, did a couple "private" signings with him, but that was maybe 2, 3 tops that I can recall. For his prices though, it was always something I wanted in person... never went the private signing route. A few years back, he did sign at one of the big Chicago shows... to date, it's the only public appearance I can recall outside of Cali.

He has not had public or private signings in California since coming to Anaheim

[epatmythes]

Originally Posted by speedyjg13

He has not had public or private signings in California since coming to Anaheim

I'm equally surprised, and not surprised, to hear that. Just assumed that wouldn't have been the case. That sucks!

[REGGIE206]

Originally Posted by Geoff G

What a beauty!! Great wife ya got there my fren

Thanks, Geoff!

[Lazy Booking]

Talking about Albert and his signing habits...

My brother and I used to make annual spring training trips down to Jupiter during the last few years of his tenure in STL. He would occasionally sign a handful of baseballs down the foul line on his way to the clubhouse after exiting the game around the 5th-6th inning. He'd usually skip around and sign a sloppy short sig on the side panel. We were lucky to each get baseballs signed on back-to-back days in 2010 (I think) and never were lucky enough to get another auto. We never could get his attention any other time, even when we'd be savvy enough to try to catch him sneaking in the back entrance of the park during the wee hours of the morning.

I'd usually make an annual weekend trip to Pittsburgh when the Cards were in town and graph before the game; sometimes, he'd sign for a handful of kids, but never for any of us grown-up degenerates. In all my encounters with/around him, I never saw him display any human emotion (except for the occasional disdain for people hounding him for autographs) or ever acknowledge anyone. They call this dude "The Machine" for a reason. Complete robot.

I had a him sign my Busch Stadium seatback at the National in 2018 and was hoping I'd have a little bit more of a human experience with him, but it was more of the same haha. Never looked up, never acknowledged me... just signed and moved on. (Here's a video link to my brief "interaction" with him during the signing: https://youtu.be/-IbQ_Q5ETPc?t=290)

I won't ever fault him for that though... dude has done so much good through his foundation, and I have zero issue with him reserving his signature for that sort of thing. He'll forever be the GOAT for me.

[jhssketchcards]

Originally Posted by Lazy Booking

Talking about Albert and his signing habits...

My brother and I used to make annual spring training trips down to Jupiter during the last few years of his tenure in STL. He would occasionally sign a handful of baseballs down the foul line on his way to the clubhouse after exiting the game around the 5th-6th inning. He'd usually skip around and sign a sloppy short sig on the side panel. We were lucky to each get baseballs signed on back-to-back days in 2010 (I think) and never were lucky enough to get another auto. We never could get his attention any other time, even when we'd be savvy enough to try to catch him sneaking in the back entrance of the park during the wee hours of the morning.

I'd usually make an annual weekend trip to Pittsburgh when the Cards were in town and graph before the game; sometimes, he'd sign for a handful of kids, but never for any of us grown-up degenerates. In all my encounters with/around him, I never saw him display any human emotion (except for the occasional disdain for people hounding him for autographs) or ever acknowledge anyone. They call this dude "The Machine" for a reason. Complete robot.

I had a him sign my Busch Stadium seatback at the National in 2018 and was hoping I'd have a little bit more of a human experience with him, but it was more of the same haha. Never looked up, never acknowledged me... just signed and moved on. (Here's a video link to my brief "interaction" with him during the signing: https://youtu.be/-IbQ_Q5ETPc?t=290)

I won't ever fault him for that though... dude has done so much good through his foundation, and I have zero issue with him reserving his signature for that sort of thing. He'll forever be the GOAT for me.

My man you had a busted belt in your tire or you were driving a Flintstones car. That vibration is off the charts


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[T_Hamilton]

His 2001 Topps Traded in PSA 10 continues to rise... one sold in auction for over $2K this morning... Only 220 PSA 10s out there too... I think this one will be one to watch as he continues to work his way up the record books.

[Chrisyork33]

Passes the Say Hey Kid and added another
Respect!

[oplum29]

Originally Posted by Chrisyork33

Passes the Say Hey Kid and added another
Respect!

if only he could have stayed healthy, he'd be the legit all-time HR king.

but anyway, that's awesome.

[oplum29]

Originally Posted by epatmythes

I lived in the STL metro during his entire tenure there. By his third year in the league (2003)... it was totally a forget about getting his autograph situation. He didn't engage with fans, he didn't sign, period. You basically had 2 opportunities a year to get his autograph in person... pay a boat load to play in his charity golf tournament, or be lucky enough to buy a very limited (usually 150-200) autograph ticket for him at the Cardinals Winter Warmup. I was fortunate enough to get 4 pieces signed by him over the years via the Winter Warmup route. St. Louis Sports Collectors Inc., from 2004-2011, did a couple "private" signings with him, but that was maybe 2, 3 tops that I can recall. For his prices though, it was always something I wanted in person... never went the private signing route. A few years back, he did sign at one of the big Chicago shows... to date, it's the only public appearance I can recall outside of Cali.

i love reading about autograph experiences about players.

i personally don't have any stories about Pujols, i always admired him as a player, to me, he was the best player in baseball for a long time when he played with the Cards.

My only story is this, i guess it's funny in its own way. I was in Houston for a conference and i got to see Pujols play two games of a three game series.

He went 0-8...hahahaha

always thought that was funny, that i came to see the best hitter in the game at the time, and he goes hitless.

but my sister, who doesn't even like baseball, sees some dude named Mike Trout, and he goes yard twice against Seattle.

[kyle1707]

Originally Posted by Chrisyork33

Passes the Say Hey Kid and added another
Respect!

Incredible..

One of the greatest hitters of all time

[KeithandDJ]

Wow! I sit in my backyard with bonfire and Albert gets 2 dingers, goes above .240 and the Angels win! So happy for him. As far as the autograph seeker at a game goes, I seriously think this guy is so dialed in at games that he wouldn't look at fans when he signs autographs if he's about to play a game. I think Albert will at least be a hitting coach when he leaves game, he is that in love with it. Glad Joe is playing him more now. Might as well as they wind it down. Overall, strong season for the Machine.

[KeithandDJ]

Originally Posted by KeithandDJ

Wow! I sit in my backyard with bonfire and Albert gets 2 dingers, goes above .240 and the Angels win! So happy for him. As far as the autograph seeker at a game goes, I seriously think this guy is so dialed in at games that he wouldn't look at fans when he signs autographs if he's about to play a game. I think Albert will at least be a hitting coach when he leaves game, he is that in love with it. Glad Joe is playing him more now. Might as well as they wind it down. Overall, strong season for the Machine.

Since this is collectible forum, I picked up his 2001 rookie bobblehead and 1-2 more 3,000 hit counter figures from game day giveaways. I think I am going to try to get more rookie bobbleheads. Not very expensive and pretty cool! I also need some Ichiro-Pujols Topps Traded cards, can't believe I've been looking at them for 5+years and never bought one. Stupid!

[ThoseBackPages]

NICE!

[tedwilliamsfan]

Originally Posted by Chrisyork33

Passes the Say Hey Kid and added another
Respect!

Albert is one of the All-Time greats. I'm glad he passed up Mays in homers because he deserves it. His career stats are staggering to look at, and he's still compiling more. Go Pujols!!!

[REGGIE206]

Here’s a Pujols & Ichiro 2001 card we don’t see too often:

[prodigylush]

Wanted to share this beauty since I finally located the Pujols BO thread (recently posted in a member’s BST thread). I grabbed this in the spring due to rarity and matching Cards colors. It’s not one of his RCs that you see everyday.




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[hatchd]

Originally Posted by prodigylush

Wanted to share this beauty since I finally located the Pujols BO thread (recently posted in a member’s BST thread). I grabbed this in the spring due to rarity and matching Cards colors. It’s not one of his RCs that you see everyday.




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Damn. I feel like this should be a top 5 RC of his. What a pickup


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[Chrisyork33]

Originally Posted by hatchd

Damn. I feel like this should be a top 5 RC of his. What a pickup


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Plus #/32

3+2=5 jersey number

Bay 1/1

[prodigylush]

Originally Posted by Chrisyork33

Plus #/32

3+2=5 jersey number

Bay 1/1

Oh my 🤯🤯

[epatmythes]

PWCC auction closed last night, with the 2001 SP Authentic PSA 10 finally crossing the 5-figure mark!

Hope it was a legit sale!

To the moon!

[nikobaseball]

Originally Posted by epatmythes

PWCC auction closed last night, with the 2001 SP Authentic PSA 10 finally crossing the 5-figure mark!

Hope it was a legit sale!

To the moon!

His RC stuff is getting impossible to find, but if anyone is looking to move any please PM me!

[lukino99]

Opened my binder from 2001 when I lived in the States and collecting.. and found these 2 beauties in great shape.. guess I should be happy!

[Cubs_rock21]

I'm a cubs fan. When I was a kid i chased autographs. I visited San diego and went to the cardinals series in 2005. I made a poster board sign saying I came from Indiana to get his autograph. He saw it as he was walking into the park and told me he would sign inside. When the gates opened i ran in and held the sign over the dugput. He saw it. took a pen from a coach, signed the sweet spot of a ball from the BP bucket and tossed it to me. Since then he has been my favorite player! He's also the best hitter other than bonds or griffey that ive ever seen in person!

[hatchd]

Originally Posted by lukino99

Opened my binder from 2001 when I lived in the States and collecting.. and found these 2 beauties in great shape.. guess I should be happy!

Damn those are beautiful. Wish my regular Topps looked like that. I'm not one to normally say this, but from that picture it looks like those need to be graded.


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