““He is the whole package as far as a player. He commits to defense just like he does offense. He has natural talent. He’s a young guy, very smart, very tough-minded.”
—Cardinals manager Tony La Russa

"He’s so strong between the ears that nothing fazes him."
—La Russa

“He has a passion for the game, a love for the game. You can see it. You can sense it. He’s got natural God-given ability. A natural baseball player. A warrior. The man is good at every little thing he does.”
—Former Cardinals hitting coach Mike Easler

“He stands there like a man. They didn’t teach him fear at home, where he grew up. It’s not part of his bag.”
—Giants manager Felipe Alou

"He’s a freak. There’s no awe in his eyes.”
—Cardinals teammate Fernando Vina

“I’ve never seen anything like it. He’s quick to the ball with his bat, he hits to all fields, he rarely goes out of the strike sone, and no situation seems to rattle him.”
—Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon

“You don’t have to scout a guy like Albert. He draws attention to himself. He has such inner confidence, without being cocky.”
—Former big-league manager Jim Leyland

“His approach is so mature at the plate. He doesn’t get himself out.”
—Cardinals teammate Scott Rolen

“He’s focused in everything he does, from hitting to running down the line. He doesn’t go through the motions.”
—Hall of Famer Red Schoendienst

“I believe he’s been reincarnated, that he played before, in the ‘20s and ‘30s, and he’s back to prove something.”
—Former teammate Mark McGwire

“Lefthander, righthander, soft thrower, power guy, fastballs away, fastballs in—he doesn’t have any holes.”
—Cardinals teammate Tino Martinez

“He has the best work habits I’ve ever seen out of a young kid. He takes nothing for granted.”
—Cardinals hitting coach Mitchell Page

“Talk to him for 10 minutes. He’s an excellent human being—kind, gentle, caring. He’s an amazing ballplayer who would never say he’s amazing.”
—Albert’s wife Deidre

"He’s the top right-handed hitter in the game."
—Hall of Famer Stan Musial

"That’s like freakin’ Superman playing baseball. He’s the best ever."
—Pirates pitcher Ian Snell

"Before he’s done we might be saying he’s the best of them all."
—Former Reds and Tigers manager Sparky Anderson

"A lot of guys who can hit don’t give a flip about defense. He’s never satisfied."
—Veteran closer Jason Isringhausen

"He knows what he wants to do with the ball. He knows what a pitcher is trying to do to him. He knows."
—Former AL batting champ Hal McRae

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