ST. LOUIS • Within that 2000 season that hinted at the arrival of a generational talent in the Cardinals organization and ended with a dramatic flourish at Class AAA Memphis, there was a wrinkle in Albert Pujols’ advance through the minors.
Late in the summer, after he ran roughshod through the Midwest League on his way to its MVP award with a .953 OPS, Pujols moved from Peoria to Class A-advanced Potomac. He hit a couple of home runs there, batted .284, posted a .822 OPS, and spent 21 games being himself in this curious cameo with another affiliate.