Albert Pujols spent the first 11 seasons of his legendary MLB career with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2001 to 2011. During that time, Pujols established himself as one of the greatest power hitters and run producers in baseball history. His incredible production and success with the Cardinals make his baseball cards from that era some of the most sought after and valuable in the hobby.
Pujols debuted with the Cardinals in 2001 after being drafted in the 13th round in 1999. His rookie cards from 2001 are some of the key early Pujols cards for collectors. Some of the notable Pujols rookie cards include 2001 Donruss Elite Extra Edition #EE1, 2001 Donruss Studios #S1, 2001 Fleer Ultra #124, 2001 Leaf Limited #66, 2001 Pacific Crown Royale #86, 2001 Topps #709, and 2001 Topps Traded #T47. Of these, the Topps and Donruss rookie cards tend to be the most common. Graded Pujols rookies in gem mint condition can still fetch well over $1000 today due to his amazing career.
In 2002, Pujols had his true breakout season by winning the National League Rookie of the Year and finishing second in MVP voting. He blasted 37 home runs and drove in 130 runs while batting .329. Pujols’ flagship rookie star cards from 2002 include 2002 Bowman Chrome #BC41, 2002 Fleer Authentic #109, 2002 Leaf Limited #L1, 2002 Pacific #163, 2002 Topps #642, and 2002 Topps Traded #T329. These were the first cards to truly capture Pujols arriving as a superstar and have increased steadily in value since. High graded versions can reach several thousand dollars.
From 2003-2004, Pujols established himself as the premier power hitter in baseball. In 2003, he won his first of three MVP awards by hitting .359 with 43 home runs and 124 RBI. His top cards from this season include 2003 Bowman #342, 2003 Fleer Focus #FF105, 2003 Leaf Limited #58, 2003 Topps #704, and 2004 Bowman #BDPa4. The 2004 season saw Pujols hit .365 with 49 home runs and 117 RBI to win his second MVP. Key cards include 2004 Bowman #BDP122, 2004 Donruss Diamond Kings #DK23, 2004 Donruss Opening Day #OD103, 2004 Fleer Authentix #FA187, and 2004 Topps #672. Both the 2003 and 2004 cards affirming Pujols’ superstardom have substantial collector value today.
The years 2005-2007 represented the peak of Pujols’ offensive dominance. In 2005, he became just the third player ever to hit at least .330 with at least 35 home runs and 100 RBI in five consecutive seasons. Top 2005 cards include 2005 Bowman #BDP153, 2005 Donruss Threads #T83, 2005 Topps #756, and 2005 Upper Deck #372. The 2006 season was one of Pujols’ finest, as he captured his third MVP by hitting .331 with 49 home runs and 137 RBI. Key 2006 cards are 2006 Bowman Chrome #BC70, 2006 Donruss Threads #T74, 2006 Topps #800, and 2006 Ultra #190. He remained among the sport’s most feared sluggers in 2007, hitting .327 with an MLB-leading 49 home runs and impeccable cards like 2007 Bowman Chrome #BC88 and 2007 Topps #240.
In 2008, Pujols led the Cardinals to a World Series title over the Tampa Bay Rays. He contributed an outstanding postseason performance by batting .357 with 2 home runs in the Fall Classic. Some acclaimed 2008 Pujols cards acknowledging this championship run include 2008 Bowman Sterling #BS99, 2008 Topps ’52 (#752 Style), and 2008 Topps Update #UH247. The 2009 season was another remarkable campaign for Pujols, as he continued producing at an MVP level by hitting .327 with 47 home runs and 135 RBI. Highly coveted 2009 Pujols cards consist of 2009 Bowman Chrome #BCP72, 2009 Score #359, and 2009 Topps #272.
During his final two years in St. Louis in 2010-2011, it was apparent Pujols was nearing the end of his Cardinals career. He remained a feared hitter by clubbing a combined 66 home runs. Select 2010 cards highlighting this include 2010 Bowman Sterling #BSS76 and 2010 Topps #384. In 2011, Pujols put together one of his best offensive seasons, hitting .299 with 37 home runs and 99 RBI in what turned out to be his Cardinals swan song. Notable 2011 cards are 2011 Bowman Chrome #BCP151, 2011 Topps #366, and 2011 Topps Update #UH248. These serve as a fitting sendoff to Pujols’ incredible run in St. Louis.
After the 2011 season concluded, Pujols famously departed the Cardinals in free agency, signing a massive 10-year, $240 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. This ended his legendary 11-year run with St. Louis that included 3 MVP awards, 2 World Series appearances, and a championship in 2009. Pujols went on to continue having success with the Angels but never reached the same heights as his Cardinals days. As a result, his Cards tenure remains the most cherished and collectible period for fans and Pujols memorabilia enthusiasts alike. Whether it’s rookie cards, MVP season standouts, or final year sendoffs, Pujols’ baseball cards from 2001-2011 with the Cardinals continue gaining value as one of the greatest player/team combinations in baseball history.
