Houston Astros

Date of birth: November 18, 1955 in Santiago de los Caballeros, Santiago, Dominican Republic

High School:  Seventeen-year-old Pujols signed with the Houston Astros as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 1973.

First Impression; When I was a kid I had no earthly idea how to pronounce this name. I think until Albert Pujols came along I thought it was Poo Jolls. Had I known it was pronounced POO HOLES, I would have probably been slapped a few more times. Great card, he’s dirty from catching. He made contact, we hope.

Career stats player: He was a prototypical backup catcher. But he was not an aging veteran who was forced into that role. He was solely a backup to Alan Ashby in Houston and made a few attempts in 83 and 84 to catch on but couldn’t.

All Time Stat: He only hit one day time homer, not that it really mattered since he played in the Astrodome. However that one homer did come in the Astrodome on a Sunday afternoon in 1981 vs. Vida Blue.

Career stats manager: 55-100. Just slightly better than Royster, almost the same conditions. He was hired after Phil Garner was fired. He only lasted the remainder of the 2002 season. It didnt get much better from there, see Alan Trammell. When the Tigers played the Royals that year it was the first time two Dominican Born Managers opposed each other. The other manager was Tony Pena.

Fun Fact: He started the 1978 season in the minors, but was brought up mid-season around the time the Astros dealt starting catcher Joe Ferguson to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He platooned behind the plate with former first round draft pick Bruce Bochy, who was also called up at around the same time, for the remainder of the season.*

Ever a Future Star?  No

Rookie or final card? No

Hall of Fame? Number retired? N/A

Links to stories including Luis Pujols.

*Wikipedia