http://tinyurl.com/373rpt Pujols' season might be over By Joe Strauss ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH 09/20/2007 Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols concedes his season may be over barring improvement in a strained left calf that forced him from the lineup shortly before Tuesday night's game against the Philadelphia Phillies and left him to hobble to first base after a late-inning pinch-hit appearance. "If I feel like I can play, I'm going to play. But the way I feel right now, I would say no. But we'll see the next couple of days," Pujols said, refusing to rule out the possibility of playing by saying "anything's possible." Though the Cardinals face imminent elimination from the National League Central race, manager Tony La Russa recently said he would continue to play Pujols, in part, because of the former Most Valuable Player approaching several historic thresholds. La Russa on Wednesday classified Pujols as "doubtful" for this weekend's series against the Houston Astros and did not sound confident about when, or if, his No. 3 hitter would return on a three-city, season-ending road trip. Trainer Barry Weinberg said, "Let's see how he progresses but it's safe not to push him. It's reasonable that he won't be playing this weekend. We'll do everything we can and let him determine when he feels like he can go out there." The only player in history to open a career with six consecutive seasons of a .300 average, 30 home runs, 100 RBIs and 100 runs. Pujols, 27, has yet to reach 100 RBIs and 100 runs scored this season. Last season Pujols became the first player in major league history to hit at least 30 home runs in his first six seasons. He joined Hall of Famers Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio and Al Simmons as one of four men to manage at least 100 RBIs in his first six seasons. Pujols also has finished in the top three in balloting for NL Most Valuable Player every season. Already bothered by persistent discomfort in his right hamstring, Pujols first noticed a problem with his calf during the late innings of Monday's 13-11 loss. La Russa noted Pujols' pregame routine was altered on Tuesday. Shortly after he began jogging in the outfield prior to the game, Pujols felt stabbing pain in the calf muscle. "Yesterday everything was fine. I went through my routine. But on that first spring, I did my high knee — and felt it pop," said Pujols, adding, "I was barely able to make it back to the dugout." Pujols received treatment on his lower leg for much of the game before appearing as a pinch hitter in the 13th inning. He walked, tried to jog to first base, but pulled up after only three steps. "I felt it," he said. "Obviously, I took three steps and felt it right away." Accustomed to playing with leg issues, Pujols suggested this condition may be less forgiving, "It's in an area you can't treat that much," he said. Pujols becomes the latest of the Cardinals' walking wounded to fall. Left fielder Chris Duncan is scheduled today for morning surgery to repair a sports hernia. Right fielder Juan Encarnacion remains in Boston, where his left eye is being treated after being struck by a foul line drive Aug. 31. Third baseman Scott Rolen underwent left shoulder surgery Sept. 11. And starting pitcher Mark Mulder probably won't pitch again this season after experiencing discomfort in his surgically repaired left shoulder Sunday. As Tuesday's game extended, the Cardinals' bench became depleted, prompting the manager to turn to Pujols. "Tony asked me if I could take one at-bat. I said, 'Yeah, I'm going to try, but just pray that I hit it out of the park. I can't run. I can't even move," said Pujols, who hobbled to his car on crutches afterward. "If I would have had a base hit, I don't think I would have made it to first base." If his season is over, Pujols' 536 at-bats would be one more than last year, when he hit .331 with 49 home runs, 119 runs and 137 RBIs. He considers 2006 to be his best season. Pujols said he retained a desire to play this season "because I get paid to play baseball." Pujols described himself as playing "60, 75 percent for most of the year. ... Is it a disappointing season? Of course it is." Pujols is hitting .321 with 31 home runs, 93 runs and 95 RBIs. His 94 walks leave him on the cusp of 100 for the season, one of El Hombre's few stated goals that he has yet to achieve. "It's not as important as winning the games. What is 100 RBIs going to do for me if we still lose 80 games and we're not going to be in the playoffs?" Pujols asked. "I don't play for numbers. I play to accomplish some goals. And my goal is to win as many World Series as I can and to be in as many playoffs as I can." [email protected] | 314-340-8371 --

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