This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2016
The great Albert Pujols, who is now closing in on MLB’s 600 career home run mark, began his minor league career in 2000 by playing third base for the Peoria Chiefs of the Single-A Midwest League. He batted .324 with 128 hits, 32 doubles, six triples, 17 home runs, and 84 RBIs in 109 games. He finished second in the league in batting, tied for ninth in doubles, tied for fourth in triples, tied for sixth in home runs, and sixth in RBI. Not surprisingly, after being voted the league's Most Valuable Player and named to the All-Star team, he was promoted to the Cardinals ball club in St. Louis.
This lot features a 2000 Peoria Chiefs’ minor league game-worn batting helmet attributed to Pujols that was acquired by former Chiefs’ clubhouse/equipment manager John Witt. The size 7 ¼ well-worn helmet from the American baseball Cap Company includes a distressed Peoria Chiefs team logo sticker on the front. Sporting dual ear protectors, the helmet shows incredible wear on the inside via torn head padding that has become detached as well as an inside ear protector pad that is also now detached. It is accompanied by a swatch of padding that was once part of the helmet which shows the initial “A.P.” and Pujols’ uniform number “21” at the time in black marker, apparently written in Pujols’ own hand. Incredibly worked over, this particular head gear commemorates the start of big things to come for the MLB superstar who would become known as “Prince Albert.”