In their 7-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols launched his sixth home run of the year to break a record held by one of Major League Baseball’s all-time greats.
At the age of 42, Pujols is still finding a way to make an impact, and after returning to the club he spent 11 seasons with, his presence in the batter’s box is still a factor.
With his blast against the Dodgers, Pujols has now hit 20 home runs against 17 different franchises. That passed Ken Griffey Jr. for the most franchises with 20 home runs against in MLB history.
On the season Pujols has posted a .700 on-base plus slugging percentage, but the majority of his damage is done against lefties, to which he has a .302/.328/.547 batting line against. But after being penciled in against his former Dodgers team and a right-hander in Mitch White, Pujols slugged a second-pitch fastball over the left-field wall.
Pujols is up to 685 career home runs, good for fifth on the MLB all-time list and just 11 behind Alex Rodriguez.
The Dodgers were part of his quest for 700 home runs last season as Pujols slugged 12 long balls after signing with the team upon being released by the Los Angeles Angels.
Pujols, Miguel Cabrera added to 2022 MLB All-Star Game rosters
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred designated Pujols and longtime Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera as legacy selections for 2022 All-Star Game rosters.
Pujols and Cabrera are two of the three players in MLB history with at least 3,000 hits, 500 home runs and 600 doubles. They are part of an illustrious group that includes Hall of Famer Hank Aaron.
“I am delighted that Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera have agreed to participate in the All-Star Game,” Manfred said in a statement. “Albert and Miguel are two of the most accomplished players of their generation.
“They have also represented the baseball traditions of the Dominican Republic and Venezuela with excellence for the last two decades. Albert and Miguel are two all-time greats whose achievements warrant this special recognition.”
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