April 26, 201016 yr Buster Olney said on Baseball Tonight that as soon as this year Braun will be the best hitter in the NL. Now I know this guy hates the Cardinals and doesn't seem to really care for Pujols, but lets be serious here Buster. Also don't get me wrong, Braun is a stud, but better than Albert? Maybe in 5 years, but the guy has just won 2 straight MVP's... Albert has slumped throughout most of the season with the exception of a few hot flashes and has produced these numbers: G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP 18 73 12 22 4 0 7 17 10 14 0 0 .301 .386 Not "Albert-like" but not bad by any means. So how many of you agree with Buster?
April 26, 201016 yr Author Why do we think Buster hates the Cards? Not really sure. He always picks the Cubs or Brewers in the division, even this year, and always doubts anything. Like the Holliday trade and extension. He also started the Pujols to Philly rumor. As a Cardinals fan it's just something I picked up on that he doesn't like the Cardinals...maybe LaRussa was mean to him or something.
April 26, 201016 yr Albert Pujols has generally been regarded as the best hitter in the National League, but it stands to reason that there could be a passing of the torch this season or in a future season. Braun is hitting a whopping .382 with a 1.104 OPS. http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog?name=olney_buster&id=5134457&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fmlb%2fblog%3fname%3dolney_buster%26id%3d5134457
April 26, 201016 yr Not really sure. He always picks the Cubs or Brewers in the division, even this year, and always doubts anything. Like the Holliday trade and extension. He also started the Pujols to Philly rumor. As a Cardinals fan it's just something I picked up on that he doesn't like the Cardinals...maybe LaRussa was mean to him or something. You have a point. I always pick the Brewers to win the division and I hate the Cards too.
April 26, 201016 yr Buster is trying to generate attention. Buster is pretty good. Right now no he is not better... but in a few years it's very possible.
April 26, 201016 yr He is not better now nor will he be better in the near or distant future. He is better than you think he is. I remember when I knew nothing about him and he got called up, some very reputable fantasy analyst said he was a once in a decade call up and to do anything to get him. They were spot on. His first few years are very similar to Alberts. At some point people are gonna avoid him like they do Albert now.
April 26, 201016 yr Author He is better than you think he is. I remember when I knew nothing about him and he got called up, some very reputable fantasy analyst said he was a once in a decade call up and to do anything to get him. They were spot on. His first few years are very similar to Alberts. At some point people are gonna avoid him like they do Albert now. Oh I agree with that, Braun is a great player and hitter. I just think it is premature to say that now. It essentially took Albert 7 or so years to be crowned the best hitter in baseball. Some may say he was earlier, some may say later. Braun may be better than Pujols in the future, but no way right now.
April 28, 201016 yr He is better than you think he is. I remember when I knew nothing about him and he got called up, some very reputable fantasy analyst said he was a once in a decade call up and to do anything to get him. They were spot on. His first few years are very similar to Alberts. At some point people are gonna avoid him like they do Albert now. Braun is good, no one is doubting that but I stand by my statement. He isn't a better hitter now nor will he ever be. He is both of their numbers for their 1st 3 years in the league
April 28, 201016 yr Braun is good, no one is doubting that but I stand by my statement. He isn't a better hitter now nor will he ever be. He is both of their numbers for their 1st 3 years in the league While Pujols is currently better, those numbers aren't really comparable. Braun has had nowhere near the teams Pujols has had, and his 1st year numbers were only based on 113 games, and even with that being the case, Braun's numbers are a lot closer than it seems.
April 28, 201016 yr While Pujols is currently better, those numbers aren't really comparable. Braun has had nowhere near the teams Pujols has had, and his 1st year numbers were only based on 113 games, and even with that being the case, Braun's numbers are a lot closer than it seems. OK, through out the first year and only look at the next two. Are they comparable, sure. I bet you could find 10 others guys with comparable numbers. To say Braun had no where near the teams isn't accurate either. Cards 2002 - 97-65 finished 1st Brew 2008 - 90-72 finished 2nd Cards 2003 - 85-77 finished 3rd Brew 2009 - 77-81 finished 3rd
April 28, 201016 yr Braun is good, no one is doubting that but I stand by my statement. He isn't a better hitter now nor will he ever be. He is both of their numbers for their 1st 3 years in the league They are pretty darn close this year: Braun - 28/80, 17R, 5HR, 20 RBI, 6 SB, 1.011 OPS Pujols - 26/80, 14R, 7HR, 18 RBI, 1 SB, 1.057 OPS
April 28, 201016 yr OK, through out the first year and only look at the next two. Are they comparable, sure. I bet you could find 10 others guys with comparable numbers. To say Braun had no where near the teams isn't accurate either. Cards 2002 - 97-65 finished 1st Brew 2008 - 90-72 finished 2nd Cards 2003 - 85-77 finished 3rd Brew 2009 - 77-81 finished 3rd Come on, we're comparing two offensive players here. What do team records have to do with it? How comparable were those team's offensive numbers? I'd venture to guess the Cards had a much better offense both years.
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