That Was Unexpected

Heading into tonight’s game, nobody thought that this would be the night Albert Pujols would reach 700 home runs. He was still two away from that mark and the Cardinals were on their way to L.A. for a tough series against the best team in baseball. Suddenly, in the third inning, Pujols did what he has done best this year: crush lefty pitching to left field. His latest victim was Dodgers pitcher Andrew Heaney. Now, Pujols is at 699, it’s early in the game, and the night starts to feel potentially magical.

An inning later, Pujols finds himself up again. The lefty Heaney was still on the mound. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was not going to make it that easy. He brought in righty Phil Bickford. Sometimes, it just doesn’t matter who’s pitching when you are up against destiny. ‘The Machine’ pounced on a breaking ball and Dodger stadium immediately erupted.

Albert Pujols at 700: This One Feels Special

With Albert Pujols, this is the fourth time the baseball world has seen a player hit 700 home runs in their career. This one just seems to hit different. This may be found rude, but the hitting prowess of Babe Ruth before World War II just feels like a Paul Bunyan tale at this point.

Hank Aaron doing it the 1970s feels more real. Still, Almost everyone that was alive for his 700th homer is over the age of 50. Most of the people that actually watched the bulk of Aaron’s are probably not around anymore.

Then you have Barry Bonds. For a good portion of the public, he is the guy that we associated with 700 home runs. Steroids have made that whole thing just feel icky.

Pujols is someone everyone can get behind. He’s likable, he’s a real baseball guy who relies on more than just pure power, and, most importantly, no evidence that even remotely points to steroid use. Then you have him coming back to St. Louis this year for his swan song season. Baseball has been waiting a long time to be able to enjoy such a special moment like this. This feels perfect.