Albert Pujols hit his 696th career home run, and it just so happened to have tied the game for the St. Louis Cardinals.
In the second half of the 2022 season, one of the most talked about players has been St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols. This is his final year in MLB before he retires, and he is getting closer to becoming just the fourth player in history to hit over 700 home run in his career. As of the night of Sept. 10, 2022, Pujols is now four away from reaching the 700 club.
The Cardinals were trailing the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1 in the top of the sixth inning, and manager Oliver Marmol called upon Pujols to be the pinch-hitter. That decision paid off tremendously, as Pujols hit home run to left field to tie the game, and to get career home run No. 696.
696 FOR THE MACHINE 🤖
Albert Pujols is now tied for 4th on the all-time home run list
📹: @BallySportsMW pic.twitter.com/f3EkeLficM
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 11, 2022
Albert Pujols now tied for fourth-most home runs in MLB history
After watching Pujols tying Rodriguez on the all-time home runs list, Cardinals fans expressed their joy on Twitter.
HES THE OFFICIAL GOAT!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 @Cardinals
— Zachary Deffendoll (@Zachdeffendoll) September 11, 2022
The incredible second half of the season continues for Pujols. Ever since Pujols competed in the Home Run Derby and advanced to the second round, he has been on fire in the batter’s box. Since the All-Star break, Pujols has recorded a .343 batting average, a .400 on-base percentage, a .737 slugging percentage, 11 home runs, 26 RBI, and 34 hits.
On the season, Pujols is slashing .266/.339/.520 while recording 17 home runs, 46 RBI, and 66 hits in 89 games.
There are 22 games remaining on St. Louis’ schedule, and Pujols just needs four more home runs to make history.