The two-time World Series champion Albert Pujols hit his 694th home run against the Cincinnati Reds’ Ross Detwiler as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Reds 13-4 on Monday.
This was Pujols’ 694th home run against the 450th different pitcher, adding another record to his accomplishments and breaking a tie with former San Francisco Giants player Barry Bonds for the most overall home runs in August. Detwiler had nothing but praise for the Cardinals veteran slugger.
“Obviously, his career speaks for itself. All of his numbers are better than anything I’ve seen in person. It is kind of unbelievable. He’s been so good for so long,” said Detwiler, according to ESPN.
“I got ahead of him. I tried to go high fastball. I didn’t get it high enough, and it leaked over the plate a little bit more than I wanted it to. The ball jumps off his bat.”
Pujols’ last home run was during the August 23 game against the Chicago Cubs. The Cardinals won the game 1-0, a strong opener to the five-game series that Cincinnati would eventually win 3-2. Pitcher Drew Smyly also had nothing but respect for Pujols’ play, calling Pujols “one of the greatest of all-time.”
“It’s a tough way to lose because I executed the pitch I wanted. But he’s Albert Pujols. He’s the GOAT. He’s one of the greatest of all-time. And he finally got me,” said Smyly, as per NBC Chicago.
Pujols’ records
Pujols managed this 369-foot, two-run homer in the third inning, giving the Cardinals an 8-0 lead against the Reds. The Cardinals would go on to win the game with a 13-4 scoreline. This home run is also his eight in August alone and tied the record with Bonds and Carl Yastrzemski for the most homers in a single month for players aged 42 or older. For Pujols, it is his best record since June of 2015 when he hit 13 in a month.
“It’s pretty special. The energy is pretty special. It means a lot to me. Right now, I’m enjoying it,” said Pujols, about the Cincinnati game’s crowd. Many fans were spotted wearing Cardinals gear and cheered for Pujols every time he stepped up to the plate.
In terms of overall record, Pujols is just two homers short of tying Alex Rodriguez who has 696. Rodriguez is fourth overall with Babe Ruth (714), Hank Aaron (755), and Bonds (762) leading the count. While it is unlikely for Pujols to break Ruth’s record, as the 42-year-old is retiring at the end of the season, scoring three more homers and beating Rodriguez’s record isn’t a far-fetched idea.
Beyond the effect on the game’s score, St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol discussed how Pujols’ home runs have affected the team’s morale.
“We’re having a blast watching him do what he’s been doing. He’s swinging the bat well. He stayed on that pitch well. It was a good swing all the way around. When he gets hot, it gives everybody confidence,” said Marmol.