By Bill Raack, KWMU
St. Louis – General manager Walt Jocketty calls it "a big day in Cardinal history." For Albert Pujols, it's the payday of a lifetime.
The 24-year-old slugger finalized a $100 million deal with St. Louis Friday. He made $950,000 last season.
Pujols says he's pleased to have the negotiations behind him.
"Everything was nice and smooth, everyone agreed on it and I'm just happy," Pujols said. "But this is over, I'm glad it's over. Now it's time to play baseball and concentrate on the 2004 season."
Pujols posted a major league-best .359 batting average in 2003. He also blasted 43 home runs and collected 124 runs batted in while topping the majors with 51 doubles.
No player has ever hit more home runs in his first three seasons than Pujols.