Comparing the Career Declines of Ken Griffey Jr. and Albert Pujols

Introduction

When it comes to asking who had a worse career decline between Ken Griffey Jr. and Albert Pujols, the answer is not as straightforward as it might initially seem. Both players experienced significant changes in their performance over time, influenced by different factors. This article delves into the detailed comparison of their career trajectories to provide a clear analysis.

Comparing Longevity and Consistency

Ken Griffey Jr.

Ken Griffey Jr. was often plagued by injuries, which significantly impacted his career. Despite his early years with great performances, he struggled with his health after the age of 31. His high-water mark came in his first season with the Seattle Mariners, where he played 145 games. Following that, his appearances were reduced to just 53 games in one season.

Despite this, Griffey demonstrated his skills in his final two seasons. He led the league in home runs, won a Gold Glove, and a Silver Slugger, and was close to maintaining a 1.000 OPS. Griffey's highest OPS numbers during his career were 99 and 97, with 117 and 109 games respectively. He played a total of 1136 games, indicating a shorter active career.

Albert Pujols

Albert Pujols, in contrast, played a consistent number of games in his early years for the Los Angeles Angels, averaging 140 games per season for his first seven seasons. His decline became more evident after 2009, starting with his 2013 injury season. Here are the detailed OPS statistics:

Season OPS Notable Statistics 2009 .658 - 2010 .596 - 2011 .541 - 2012 .516 Slugging percentage dropped by 150 points 2013 .437 Injury season 2014 .466 - 2015 .480 - 2016 .457 - 2017 .411 - 2018 .430 -

Albert Pujols played a total of 1487 games, with 2013 being the only season where he missed significant time due to injury. His worst OPS numbers were 80 in 2017 and never went above 91 thereafter.

Comparing Post-Prime Performances

Ken Griffey Jr.

Ken Griffey Jr.'s post-prime performance was heavily influenced by his injuries. Although he played only 1136 games in his career, his last two seasons in Seattle were still notable. He continued to perform at the highest level, leading the league in home runs, winning a Gold Glove, and nearly achieving a 1.000 OPS. However, his salary was reduced as his performance declined, but he continued to play.

Albert Pujols

Albert Pujols's decline was more pronounced in terms of his contract and performance. The Angels' decision to sign Pujols for a large contract in the belief that he would perform at an elite level early in the contract ultimately backfired. Pujols's performance in St. Louis in 2009–2012 was impressive, but his subsequent seasons saw a significant decline in production. It's important to note that Pujols was guaranteed payment even as his performance deteriorated.

Conclusion

When considering the career declines of Ken Griffey Jr. and Albert Pujols, both players saw significant changes in their performances. However, the injury-riddled career of Ken Griffey Jr. meant that he had less time to show his true potential, while Albert Pujols's decline was more directly tied to his contract and performance. Given these factors, it can be argued that Ken Griffey Jr.'s career decline was worse in terms of the impact on his career longevity and post-prime performance.

Keywords: career decline, Ken Griffey Jr., Albert Pujols