Tracking Albert Pujols’ chase for 700 home runs
Albert Pujols is one of the greatest hitters of all time, a force at the plate who racked up three MVP awards and two World Series titles.
Now, near the end of his incredible career, he’s about to add a rare honor to his collection of achievements.
Pujols is two home runs away from becoming just the fourth member of the 700-HR club, joining Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds. It’s been something of a late-career renaissance for Pujols — his return to the St. Louis Cardinals for what he says is his final season has sparked his best offensive year in over a decade. He’s hitting .265/.338/.530, and he has slugged 19 home runs in a mere 94 games. If he decided to play for one more season, there’s a good chance he’d even be able to pass Ruth for third on the all-time homer list.
One dinger at a time, however. We’ll keep track of Pujols’ chase for 700 right here.
Next games:
Tuesday, 9:40 p.m. ET at SD (facing Mike Clevinger)
Wednesday, 9:40 p.m. ET at SD (facing Sean Manaea)
Thursday, 4:10 p.m. ET at SD (facing Blake Snell)
Barry Bonds: 762
Hank Aaron: 755
Babe Ruth: 714
Albert Pujols: 698
Alex Rodriguez: 696
In the bottom of the sixth, Pujols launched a 427-foot dinger into left field to help the Cardinals tie the game at four apiece. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, his 19 homers this year are the second most in a single season by a player age 42 years or older, breaking a tie with Carlton Fisk (1990 and 1991). Barry Bonds was 42 years old when he hit 28 home runs in 2007.
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Pujols moved into sole possession of fourth place Sunday with a go-ahead two-run home run off Chase De Jong. With his 18th home run of the season, he now ties Carlton Fisk for second-most all time by a player in his age-42 season or older.
PUJOLS IS IN SOLE POSSESION OF 4TH ALL-TIME! pic.twitter.com/UMj2W6wjRp
Pujols tied Alex Rodriguez for fourth on the all-time home run list Saturday against the Pirates.
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On Sunday night against the Chicago Cubs, Pujols launched a pitch from Brandon Hughes out of the ballpark for his 695th career home run.
695!
Albert Pujols keeps inching closer to history. pic.twitter.com/rk159I0O6h