During his eleven seasons as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, Albert Pujols was named 2001 National League Rookie of the Year, won three N.L. MVP awards, made nine All-Star teams, and helped lead the Cards to a pair of World Series titles in 2006 and 2011 titles. His first-ballot pass into Cooperstown was already locked up before he switched leagues in 2012 and began his current run with the Angels. "The Machine" just keeps adding to his incredible career stats of 3,203 hits, 656 home runs and 2,075 RBI and counting. His lifetime batting average is exactly .300 at present time.
This Albert Pujols Marucci professional model bat, graded a perfect GU 10 by PSA/DNA, has the distinction of being used during the 2011 World Series against Texas. Pujols had a historic Game Three performance when he went 5-for-6, launched three homers and drove in six runs in a 16-7 blowout at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington Stadium. The Cards took the series in seven. The two-toned AP5-M Custom Cut maple bat with a cupped end is un-cracked and shows solid evidence of game use. There are plenty of ball marks and stitch impressions on the back barrel and cleat marks present on all sides of the barrel, plus evidence of a weigted batting donut and a fairly heavy coat of pine tar. The date of manufacture (10/09/11), Pujols' number (5) length (4) and weight (2.0) designations are stamped into the knob. Pujols has signed the front barrel with his number “5” and "Game Used W.S." inscribed on the front barrel in 8/10 black marker. The bat measures 34 inches and weighs 32.3 ounces.
John Taube notes in his letter that MLB Authentication services has incorrectly documented this Pujols bat as being archived from Game Two of the 2011 Fall Classic. He claims that it had to be from Games 3 to 7 since game footage proves Pujols did not begin using this two-toned (natural color barrel with black handle) until Game Three, which leaves open the possibility that it could have been used in Albert's monster 3-HR game. It's also holds the distinction of being one of, if not, the last bats ever used by Pujols as a St. Louis Cardinal.
Includes LOA from John Taube of PSA/DNA with perfect GU 10 grade. MLB Authentication (FJ766014) and Albert Pujols hologram (01028) stickers are affixed to the front barrel. Autograph certified by Beckett (A32084).