Albert Pujols Real Age

[Tom E]

My best friend has played minor league baseball since 1997 and he spent part of this season in the Cardinals system.

Albert Pujols moved to America from the Domincan Republic when he was a kid and he married an American girl before the Visa crackdown after 9-11.

Meaning he was a legal immigrant before the close reviewing of Birth Documents, therefore was not in the Crosshairs of the age police.

Best guesses are instead of 24, he's closer to being between 26-29...

He's still a great hitter...

[DanGarion]

I tend to use my American Express more. Because I don't leave home without it.

[Ksyrup]

I'm confused. Are you suggesting that every player from the Dominican who came over here before 9/11 is lying about their age, or is there a missing piece to this puzzle that you've forgotten to include which would explain why this would be true? At this point, I see no evidence of what you are suggesting, other than the fact that his records weren't scrutinized like they might be today. That's not enough for me.

[Samdari]

I'm confused. Are you suggesting that every player from the Dominican who came over here before 9/11 is lying about their age.

If they are coming to play baseball, its very likely. The Dominican 'agents' who get a portion of the players' initial signing bonus routinely lie about the ages of their clients, knowing that any given skill set will 'project' to higher potential the younger a client is - thus resulting in a higher signing bonus.

[Danny]

There is no proof of any kind that he is older than what is listed. Well, except that he's just too damn good to only be 24 :)

[Ksyrup]

If they are coming to play baseball, its very likely. The Dominican 'agents' who get a portion of the players' initial signing bonus routinely lie about the ages of their clients, knowing that any given skill set will 'project' to higher potential the younger a client is - thus resulting in a higher signing bonus.I understand the background, but to suggest that this guy definitely is older than he says he is based on that alone, is sketchy at best. Surely there are at least a few guys who didn't need to lie about their age.

It wouldn't shock me, but I'd like to see a bit more proof than that. It might explain why a guy like Andruw Jones suddenly plateaued at age "22."

[Sporkimata]

Well only one way to tell for sure. Were just gonna have to slice him open and count the rings.

[DanGarion]

Of course there is always the other side of the spectrum... Adrian Beltre...

[hhiipp]

Didn't they find out that Furcal was much older than he claimed?

[Easy Mac]

so does that mean Julio Franco is really 50... because that wouldn't be shocking... although he hits better than most 20 year olds.

[Zippo]

so what's this gotta do with your friend who played in the card's minor league system?

[Eaglesfan27]

Well only one way to tell for sure. Were just gonna have to slice him open and count the rings.

:D

[The_herd]

Didn't they find out that Furcal was much older than he claimed?

Furcal is about 3 years older than they initially said. I believe he got busted for a DUI when they said he was 19, but then it turned out he was 21-22. ESPN has him listed at 25, which is correct.

[duckman]

Shouldn't we talking about Little Leaguers with forged birth certificates instead? ;)

[Tom E]

so what's this gotta do with your friend who played in the card's minor league system?

I was just using him as a refrence to give the story credibility.

About a 2 years ago, 2 Domincan prospects aged 19 and 26. Where busted by the feds after they both tried to use the birth documents of a dead 16 year old. Needless to say, both players where released by the clubs who had signed them.

Also, you'd be surprised at the number of players who prove their older AFTER they've retired. So the can collect their pension earlier.

Even Hal Mcrae shaved a year off his life when he signed, by simply lying. But that was 30 years ago...

[MizzouRah]

Who really cares? He could be 35 and I wouldn't care. Have you seen his stats thus far in his elder career??

Why would he lie?


Todd

[Ksyrup]

If he keeps this up, with all of the comparisons he's getting, I'd be shocked if the "truth" - assuming we don't already have it - doesn't come out. Someone would have a reason to look into it and would figure it out. Otherwise, I'll just keep believing I'm seeing a freak of nature who could play for another 15 years.

[sterlingice]

Berroa was found out to be older, too, here in KC. Then again, he was dropkicked down to Wichita after his crappy season "to work on his play" or some such nonsense (read: WE GAVE YOU A DECENT CONTRACT, QUIT FUCKING UP AND WORK FOR IT).

I contend that Jamie Moyer is the opposite end of the spectrum where they become good at 34 and older but that typically only works with lefties ;)

SI

[clintl]

Also, you'd be surprised at the number of players who prove their older AFTER they've retired. So the can collect their pension earlier.



Franco won't have that problem. He might have to prove he's still alive, though.

[Fonzie]

Who really cares? He could be 35 and I wouldn't care. Have you seen his stats thus far in his elder career??

I agree - the only way his age makes any difference is if one is trying to anticipate his career arc. If he's 24, he should continue to improve for a few years (though its hard to imagine how he could get much better). If he's 26-29, then he's at his peak and should stay there for a few more years before starting a gradual decline. If these are his peak years and he never gets better then I'm still a goofily happy Cardinals fan, as there haven't been many players who've had this kind of peak.

Now, if I'm Walt Jocketty this age thing might matter a bit in contract negotiations - but not a lot. Its not like anyone suspects he's really 34 and could begin a serious age-related decline in a year or two.

Bottom line: enjoy this player. He's amazing and will continue to be amazing, probably for quite a while.

[rexallllsc]

IT goes both ways...they found out that Beltre was actually a year younger than he said he was. He lied to sign as soon as possible, and get money for his family.

Turns out he's been playing for the Dodgers since he was 18.

[sovereignstar]

so what's this gotta do with your friend who played in the card's minor league system?
Thesis, dude. Thesis.

[Leonidas]

I guess since Pujols has an unfair age advantage he should be stripped of any batting titles, homerun titles, all star game appearances, or league MVPs he wins. This stuff kills me. Does this make him any less of a player?

BTW, I have read interbiews with his high school coach and Pujols entered an American High School I think when he was a sophomore or freshman. So if he is really 26-29, then he graduated from high school in the 20-24 age range. His high school coach also swears Pujols looked very much like a 15 year old when he first met him, not a filled out 20-something as is being alleged.

[Danny]

I guess since Pujols has an unfair age advantage he should be stripped of any batting titles, homerun titles, all star game appearances, or league MVPs he wins. This stuff kills me. Does this make him any less of a player?

No, but it does influence his chances of being one of the best hitters to ever play the game. If he is 24 and can stay healthy, he has a chance to set some records. If he is 28 or 29, then he is a stud now, but his outlook for the next 10-15 years isn't as bright.

[Zippo]

I was just using him as a refrence to give the story credibility.

About a 2 years ago, 2 Domincan prospects aged 19 and 26. Where busted by the feds after they both tried to use the birth documents of a dead 16 year old. Needless to say, both players where released by the clubs who had signed them.

Also, you'd be surprised at the number of players who prove their older AFTER they've retired. So the can collect their pension earlier.

Even Hal Mcrae shaved a year off his life when he signed, by simply lying. But that was 30 years ago...

oh, I thought maybe pujols told him himself or something.
:D

[GoldenEagle]

My best friend's mom who has an uncle who is married to this rich person said he will sell me some beachfront property in Arizona.

In other words, your full of shit.

[Leonidas]

No, but it does influence his chances of being one of the best hitters to ever play the game. If he is 24 and can stay healthy, he has a chance to set some records. If he is 28 or 29, then he is a stud now, but his outlook for the next 10-15 years isn't as bright.

Yeah, I can see how being 28 or 29 affected Barry Bonds' future.

[Danny]

Yeah, I can see how being 28 or 29 affected Barry Bonds' future.

Barry Bonds became a full time player at age 21. Are you really going to argue that Albert Pujols future will end up the same whether he is 24 or 29?