Welcome to the 700 Home Run Club

“It took me 36 years to hit 207 home runs, so I’ll be 140 when I reach 700.” ~ Charlie Blackmon, Outfielder for the Colorado Rockies

Welcome to the 700 Home Run Club Albert Pujols!

(Albert Pujols. Found on the internet. Assuming Public Domain.)

Pujols joined Babe Ruth (714), Hank Aaron (755) and Barry Bonds (762) on Friday, the 23rd of September by hitting two home runs in consecutive at-bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers with the Cardinals winning 11-0 the game. Number 699 was off Andrew Heaney and number 700 was off Phil Bickford.

Albert was born January 16, 1980, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He is a 6-foot, 3-inch, 235lbs first baseman and designated hitter. He throws and bats right-handed. Albert made is MLB debut for the St. Louis Cardinals on April 2, 2001. Currently he has a career batting average of .296, 3,377 hits, 700 home runs and 2,208 runs batted in.

He has played for the St. Louis Cardinals (2001-2011), the Los Angeles Angels (2012-2021), the Los Angeles Dodgers (2021) and back to the St. Louis Cardinals (2022-Present. He’s been an 11-time All-Star (2001, 2003-2010, 2015 and 2022), NL Rookie of the Year (2001), 6-time Silver Slugger Award (2001, 2003, 2004, 2008-2010), 2-time Gold Glove Award (2006 and 2010), 2-time NL Home Run Leader (2009 and 2010), 3-time NL MVP (2005, 2008 and 2009) and 2-time World Series Champion (2006 and 2011). He also won the Roberto Clemente Award in 2008.

An interesting observation by Statcast, Pujol’s home run trot over the years has averaged 26 seconds. This means that with 700 home runs, he has spent just a little over five hours of his life rounding the bases. Time well spent.  Albert is also in a “subset club” with Hank Aaron, they are the only two players with 700 home runs and 3000+ hits in their careers.

Albert announced in March after signing a one-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals that this would be his last season, that he was retiring. I’m personally glad he came back to finish his career with the Cards and to get his 700th homer run wearing their jersey. It’s a beautiful was to end his outstanding career. My personal feelings are that he will be a first ballot Hall of Famer as he has been a superb player, excellent teammate, gracious with the fans and a classy human being.

Here is a video of Albert’s 700th. CLICK HERE. Right after he touched home plate, he went over to the stands to high five former Texas Ranger’s third baseman Adrian Beltre who was in attendance and celebrated with his teammates.

Congratulations Albert!!! Enjoy the rest of your last season and all the best in your retirement.

~ Coach Mike

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