Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
Albert Pujols hit his 697th career home run to pass Alex Rodriguez on the all-time home run leaderboard. The Cardinals call was something to be treasured.
St. Louis Cardinals legend Albert Pujols tied Alex Rodriguez on the all-time home run leaderboard on Saturday with his 696th home run of his career. It didn’t take him long to tack on another and get ahead of Rodriguez, hitting his next homer on Sunday afternoon.
The homer came at a crucial point of the game for Pujols and the Cardinals, launching them ahead of the Pirates and on their way to a game and series win over the Pittsburg Pirates.
Watch and listen to the Cardinals incredible call for Albert Pujols homer to pass Alex Rodriguez
Hitting home run number 697 was a major milestone for Pujols. Passing Alex Rodriguez on the all-time leaderboard is enough of a moment on its own, but the fact that it came in the top of the ninth inning to give the Cardinals the go-ahead is huge.
Rodriguez was the last reasonable player to expect Pujols to get past. No. 3 on the list is Babe Ruth with 714.
It culminated in an epic call thrust by excitement from the Cardinals play-by-play broadcaster, Rich Horton.
You really need to watch the video, but here’s the quote from Horton:
“It’s at the wall, gone! He’s done it… 697, a two-run homer to put the cardinals on top. He’s all alone, fourth place in home runs in Major League history! In-Credible!”
The Cardinals would score once more in the ninth, which was enough to get them the win, 4-3 on Sunday afternoon.
The Cardinals have 21 games left for Pujols to get home runs number 698, 699 and 700.