Around the NL.

The Book on: Albert Pujols

It took the Cardinals' rookie third baseman/outfielder/first baseman all of a few innings to become a fan favorite in St. Louis.

On opening day, Pujols made a sensational running, barehanded grab-and-throw on a swinging bunt. Later, he became the first Cardinals rookie to hit a home run in the home opener in 47 years.

Entering the week, Pujols' stat line had more superlatives than a high school yearbook: most home runs ever by a rookie in April (tied with eight); most homers, RBIs (26), extra-base hits (16) and total bases (64) among major league rookies; most hits (33) in the National League.

Pujols is not just bashing balls all over the place, though. He has been fielding them all over the place, too. Although he had four errors last week, he has started at first, third, right and left. Pujols' play is a big reason the Cards, expected to be a favorite in the N.L., were at least hovering around .500. Meanwhile, the other unexpected element in the team's season has displayed a mature demeanor and confidence and hasn't seemed the least bit surprised by his quick rise.

Pujols, 21, spent most of last season--his first in professional baseball--at Class A Peoria and was named the Cardinals' minor league player of the year. In spring training this year, he hit .349 with just eight strikeouts in 62 at-bats, winning a spot on the roster, but that doesn't explain why he hasn't been intimidated by big-league pitching.

"He stands there like a man," Expos manager Felipe Alou said after Pujols tore through Montreal pitching. "They didn't teach him fear at home, where he grew up. It's not part of his bag."