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By Rowan Kavner
FOX Sports activities MLB Author
LOS ANGELES — Earlier than the pandemonium, the thunderous clap of the bat as Albert Pujols linked on his 700th residence run, the journey across the bases that ended with a high-five from fellow Dominican star Adrián Beltré, the limitless wave of hugs from teammates, the melodic chants of Pujols’ title and the curtain name, there was full silence.
Not one of the 50,041 followers in attendance Friday night time at Dodger Stadium dared disturb the historical past they knew they may witness as every pitch left Phil Bickford’s hand within the fourth inning. On the plate stood Pujols, the 42-year-old future Corridor of Famer who revitalized his profession final yr in Los Angeles after which returned to the Metropolis of Angels on the cusp of historical past.
The Cardinals legend had launched his 699th residence run an inning prior, an imposing, 434-foot missile to left subject off starter Andrew Heaney. An inning later, Pujols stepped to the plate once more, with the storybook ending to his extraordinary, 22-year profession able to be written. Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts known as for a pitching change.
Pujols’ subsequent residence run would put him in rarefied air. Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth have been the one major-leaguers with 700 residence runs. Earlier than the sport — on the time two residence runs wanting the mark, with 11 regular-season video games remaining in his illustrious profession — Pujols downplayed the milestone.
“If it occurs, it occurs,” he claimed. “I’m not looking, not searching for it.”
Albert Pujols homers for second time, turns into fourth participant in MLB historical past to hit 700 residence runs
When St. Louis Cardinals star Albert Pujols homered within the fourth inning Friday, he grew to become the fourth participant in MLB historical past to hit 700 residence runs.
However as he blasted a dangling slider from Bickford on the third pitch of the at-bat, residence run No. 700 actually appeared significant — to the followers who rose to their ft and continued chanting his title, to the Cardinals teammates who sprinted out of the dugout, to the Dodgers who stood and clapped.
To him.
As Pujols rounded the bases, slapping first-base coach Stubby Clapp’s hand and pointing two fingers towards the sky, he considered his kids, who would later flank him at his postgame information convention. Upon touching residence plate, he rushed towards the entrance row to search out Beltré.
Earlier than the sport, Pujols instructed his countryman at batting follow that he needed to perform this feat for the Dominican Republic.
“I knew the place he was sitting, so it was very easy,” Pujols mentioned, now the primary Dominican participant to hit 700 residence runs. “I simply needed to share that second with him as a result of I believe he would’ve finished the identical factor.”
As Pujols made his manner again to the dugout, he shared a prolonged embrace with Yadier Molina, the opposite longtime Cardinals famous person within the midst of his major-league swan tune. Earlier than the sport, Pujols and Molina obtained retirement presents from the Dodgers’ Justin Turner and Max Muncy within the type of engraved units of golf baggage.
Quickly, they’ll have loads of time to hit the hyperlinks. However not but. Not whereas Pujols’ unbelievable second-half surge continues for his playoff-bound workforce, the workforce with which he gained two championships greater than a decade in the past and the franchise he’ll signify when he goes to Cooperstown.
“My fundamental focus is to proceed to contribute, assist this ballclub to win,” he mentioned.
Albert Pujols hits profession residence run No. 699 vs. Dodgers
The St. Louis Cardinals took a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers when Albert Pujols launched residence run No. 699 of his profession on Friday.
Eleven years handed between Pujols’ two stints in St. Louis. “The Machine,” who posted a profession 1.037 OPS with 445 residence runs in his first 11 major-league seasons with the Cardinals, regarded mortal for the subsequent decade in Anaheim. Father Time appeared to catch up. Pujols hit his five hundredth and 600th profession residence runs with the Angels, however he limped to a 108 OPS+ over 9 years with the franchise.
At 41 years outdated, 33 homers wanting 700, slashing .198/.250/.372 after 4 straight seasons with a sub-.750 OPS, Pujols was launched.
4 days later, the Dodgers provided him new life.
“In the event that they wouldn’t have given me that chance,” Pujols mentioned Friday, “I don’t assume I’d be sitting right here at present.”
Final yr, the Dodgers have been trustworthy and upfront in regards to the part-time function they envisioned for the 10-time All-Star. They envisioned a veteran who may pinch hit, mash lefties and mentor younger gamers. Pujols noticed an opportunity to influence a championship-caliber membership on and off the sphere.
He believed his bat nonetheless had life.
“I really feel like I’ve nonetheless received some gasoline left in my tank,” Pujols mentioned after becoming a member of the Dodgers.
The match appeared to gentle a fuse within the three-time MVP.
Pujols rapidly grew to become a fan favourite in L.A. He did precisely what he was introduced in to do, slashing .294/.336/.603 towards lefties and going 14-for-39 with two homers in an unfamiliar pinch-hitting function.
“I believe it truly invigorated him,” Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned. “Simply being embraced by the clubhouse, the followers, it simply shot some life into him. His phrases have been that he was having as a lot enjoyable as he may keep in mind.”
Pujols didn’t complain about his part-time standing. He grew to become “Tio Albert,” able to greet his teammates with a large bear hug within the dugout after each residence run.
“They introduced me a lot pleasure, not simply to me however to my household,” Pujols mentioned Friday. “I believe they introduced out one thing inside me, that little boy, as soon as once more, that was lacking that a part of the sport. I believe you guys noticed that final yr.”
Nonetheless, Pujols knew the top of his profession neared. The 2022 season could be his last trip, whatever the file books, again within the metropolis the place his extraordinary profession took off. He had six residence runs on the All-Star break, when one other occasion appeared to supply a spark.
An inconceivable run to the semifinals of the Residence Run Derby — additionally at Dodger Stadium — appeared to unlock one thing in Pujols. He continued mashing, launching 12 residence runs from Aug. 10 to Sept. 16. A lull adopted final week, setting Pujols as much as make historical past within the metropolis that rewrote the final chapters of his profession.
Pomp and circumstance greeted Pujols in his return to Dodger Stadium. A video tribute performed on the DodgerVision boards, with Dodger gamers Julio Urías, Hanser Alberto, Turner, Muncy, Roberts and Smith all sharing how a lot Pujols meant to them and wishing him luck on 700 homers. Tens of 1000’s of followers packed the stadium, some carrying blue, others carrying purple, all able to cheer on a participant who leaves a long-lasting influence.
Hours after the Cardinals’ 11-0 victory Friday, not even the pitcher who gave up the historic homer may dangle his head.
“At first, I used to be upset that I gave up the house run,” Bickford mentioned. “When the gang reacted, seeing all the grins, it was a really particular second for MLB, and Albert Pujols can be one of the superb individuals I’ve ever met.”
Again within the clubhouse, the Cardinals showered Pujols with beer. He took a trip in a laundry basket and struggled to get out.
He believes the accomplishment may not totally hit him till his profession is completed, however he actually appeared to understand it in actual time. Pujols will go down in historical past as certainly one of 4 batters ever to hit 700 residence runs. On the opposite aspect, Bickford will go down as certainly one of 4 pitchers ever to permit a 700th residence run.
However he’s not occupied with it in these phrases.
“I’m extra simply blissful for Albert,” he mentioned.
Rowan Kavner covers the Dodgers and NL West for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand was the Dodgers’ editor of digital and print publications. Comply with him on Twitter at @RowanKavner.
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