Pujols is not 26

[Denver_Bronco]

Here is an excerpt from a conversation with Big Al:


"I know he's probably made some mistakes in the past, but come on, give the guy a break," Pujols said. "Respect the numbers in the career he has put up."

Pujols feels like he's under suspicion, too, because people don't believe he's really 26.

"You know how many times I hear - and I'm sick and tired of people saying it - that I'm not 26?" Pujols said. "I know how old I am and I know that I don't use any of those bad things people are talking about that I use."

Pujols said in the current climate, players seem to be guilty until proven innocent.

"People talk. That's their job, to write something stupid without finding out," he said. "Like Barry, people are talking about him and they haven't found anything out about the guy. They're talking about making the guy a bad guy. Prove the point first and then you can write anything about it. But before, leave the guy alone."

Pujols added that Major League Baseball could test him for illegal drugs "every day if they want."

"I don't need any type of things like that to help me out with my game," said. "I don't need to do anything more than what I've done in the past or doing right now.

"I'm happy with my career so far and what I've done in my career, and I don't need anything extra."




Does anyone agree with me that this guy is probably alittle closer then 30, then 26 ? He comes from the most notorious place for lying about age. Alfonso Soriano was busted and had 2 years added to his age. (1)I don't see many 26 year olds balding as bad as Pujols and it's even stranger when it's a super-freak athlete like him; and of course (2) how big he was at 21 when he entered the league and immediately start hitting 35+ homeruns. At 21!

Your thoughts, please.

[JVides]

Alex Rodriguez hit 36 home runs when he was 20, in 1996.

Sadly, my hair was on its way out by the time I was 26, too, and is thin enough now, at age 31, that I shave my head.

I really don't know what he would gain from lying about his age.  It's not like lying got him drafted any higher.  He was a 13th round choice. 

[Philly Fin Fan]

I don't think the balding thing makes a good case. I know someone who is only 23 and is balding pretty badly.

[jtex316]

Me too, there's a 24 year old who's quite possibly the best bowler in the world right now who's totally balding badly.  Some in their young 20's bald a lot, so that's not a good way to either prove or disprove.

[bsfins]

Ok DB,I agree with you..(maybe not for the same reasons though)..I think he could be older...but it's just a number.I don't think it will matter for another 5-8 years...

[Brian Fein]

I was waiting to see how long it'd be before people started accusing Pujols of being a cheater too.

[Denver_Bronco]

Me too, there's a 24 year old who's quite possibly the best bowler in the world right now who's totally balding badly.  Some in their young 20's bald a lot, so that's not a good way to either prove or disprove.

I don't get bowling, really. I can go to my local alley and watch anyone shoot 220. Every guy in the leagues averages friggen' 210. I mean i used to bowl and i sucked and still averaged 175, but then again i didn't spend every minute at the bowling alley. I bowled once a week and averaged 175. It is a not a sport to me because anyone can do it.

I just hijacked my own thread....

Anyway Pujols is 30. And yes, age does matter because it determines the length of contracts towards the middle of your career to the end of it. And at the beginning of your career age is important because teams can determine your worth by determining if you still have an upside or if you have reached your maximum potential.

[MaineDolFan]

The way that he improves each year - younger guys makes strides like he has.  Not older ones.  I buy 26.

[bsfins]

I just think it wouldn't shock me,if they come out and say...Albert Pujols..is 27,or 28..or even younger...Again...As long as he still produces...it's just a number...I could give a rotten rats ass less about his contract....

[Sunstroke]

I think this is total crap... people just love to hate on and create controversy over the most talented of players.

The only players that I think lie about their age are the ones who come straight out of the DR or other latin american countries directly into professional baseball. This isn't the case with Albert at all. At the age of 16, he was playing HS and AAU ball in Missouri. He didn't need to lie about his age to get noticed, or to get scouts to fall in love with his sweet swing. Albert is 26 years old. He was born on 1/16/80...not '77 or '78, but 1980.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Pujols is balding from the HGH he takes. He has the 2nd biggest skull in the league next to Bonds.

[jtex316]

Just to answer Denver_Bronco, and then the thread is yours again.

Scores and playing conditions are purposely inflated to astronomical proportions for local league play.  This is why everyone and their mom (literally) shoots and averages 220 every game, and 300 games are fired every night.  This is done because proprietors can keep more and more people coming back to bowl league, and it's also cheaper as far as bowling lane maintenance is concerned.

On the PBA, playing conditions and scoring is significantly lower.  While the best, hottest bowler in the world can average 226 for an entire PBA season, that would be the equivalent of averaging 260+ in a local league.  Conversly, some local jobber in your league who averages 220 would most likely average 180 or even 170 if they bowled a full PBA season.

Believe me there are countless message board and bowling magazine articles that beat this subject to death over and over again.  Personally - i think that all leagues and bowling should force tough playing conditions where when you average 205, that's incredible and the top avg. in the league.  When 80 guys can average over 210, that cheapens league and it just turns it into a fun night type of thing.  It also would show that the PBA bowlers are really freaking good, and not just local Joe's.  There's a reason they are on tour, but you would never know it if you looked at some local bowling league and the scores and averages from the players.  And I don't blame you for 1 second.

</hijack>

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Looks like we have another Danny Almonte controversy here.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Looks like we have another Danny Almonte controversy here.

Nah, it's no surprise that this has been going on forever. Julio Franco says he is 47, but he probably is 51.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Nah, it's no surprise that this has been going on forever. Julio Franco says he is 47, but he probably is 51.

I know.  I'm just messing around.  You do remember the saga of Danny Almonte, don't you?