When Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols was just starting his career, manager Tony La Russa approached him with a pop quiz. As Pujols looked forward into his career, La Russa asked in 2001 if he would rather hit 30 home runs or bat .300 in a season. Pujols picked the homers. La Russa shook his head. "Rookie mistake," Pujols said 10 years later. Locked in one of the longest brownouts of his career, Pujols recalled Tuesday that formative question asked more than 400 homers ago. Pujols said La Russa's point was that 30 home runs guaranteed only 30 runs for the team, but a .300 hitter had the ability generate more, even 100. The lesson: Get hits, home runs will follow. Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/base...cle_8d9ff6f0-0077-5e5f-b5ee-c32548a597f0.html
