Earlier this week it was announced that Tiger Woods was named the "Athlete of the Decade" by the Associated Press. Consider the following:
The only time Tiger Woods breaks a sweat is when charging toward the 19th Hole for a beer after a round, or when ducking his wife's maniacal golf swings. He plays a game of skill with limited athletic components, similar to darts or bowling or curling. His game requires no split-second reactions or instincts, no physical contact, no running or jumping or even trotting of any kind.
Sorry everyone, but Albert Pujols is the athlete of the decade. Since 2001:
Pujols has never played fewer than 143 games of a 162 game schedule.
Pujols' worst batting average this decade is .314, right around Roberto Clemente's LIFETIME AVERAGE. His batting average for his career (which all falls within this decade) is an astounding .334.
Pujols' lowest home run total is 32.
Pujols' lowest RBI total is 103.
Pujols has made the All-Star team every year except for 2002, his sophomore season, when he batted .314 with 34 home runs and 127 RBI. That's about as good as 99% of Major League players could hope for.
Pujols' highest strikeout total ALL DECADE is 93, in his rookie season, and he has since never struck out more than 69 times. In this decade, he strikes out less than once every TWO games.
Pujols has won 1 World Series, 2 NL Pennants, 3 MVP Awards and NLCS MVP in 2004. Also, Pujols has finished in the top 10 of every single NL MVP race since his rookie year.
And all this is just scratching the surface. And unless proven otherwise, this was all done without the help of steroids or other P.E.D's.
To compare the "athlete" that is Albert Pujols to the "athlete" that is Tiger Woods is embarrassing.
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1 comments:
If you consider golfers "athletes," then the pick is at least plausible.
Someone would have a hard time convincing me Michael Phelps is not the athlete of the decade. He dominated two Olympics this decade in every single race he took part in. Is there any swimming event, individual or team, that he doesn't have a gold medal in? Although Tiger is likely the best ever at his chosen "sport," Phelps is UNQUESTIONABLY the best swimmer that ever lived.
As great as Pujols is, I can't see anyone picking a baseball coming out of this era as one of the greatest. Been burnt too many times before on that one...
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