So I’m watching the ESPN bottom line this morning as I’m getting ready for work and saw a mention of Albert Pujols jacking his 29th and 30th homerun of the season last night. That’s 30 homeruns and we haven’t even hit the midway point of the season. He’s on pace for about 62 homeruns, which would be an incredible feat since the steroid eruption a few years ago. No one has hit over 60 homeruns since Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa did it in 2001.

Because Pujols is still so young (he’s only 29) and still in the prime of his career it’s hard to comprehend just how good he is. I challenge anyone to give me a player in history who has been a better hitter than Pujols through the first 9 seasons of their career. Pujols has gone 100 runs – 30 homeruns – 100 rbi or better in 7 of his first 8 full seasons, and the only season he didn’t reach that feat… he had 99 runs.

Through 78 games of his 9th season, Pujols has 349 total homeruns. Assuming he ends the 2009 season with 370 homeruns, he will have a legitimate shot at breaking Barry Bonds all-time homerun record before the age of 40! I never would have thought that was possible. Pujols has a career .334 batting average and is so consistent at the plate. He draws a lot of walks and strikes out at a much lower rate then other homerun hitters.

Alex Rodriguez generally gets crowned as the greatest baseball player today… but now that his name is tainted with steroids shouldn’t that honor go to Pujols? What’s your take on Albert Pujols? Do you think we’re witnessing one of the best players the game has ever seen?