The three-time MVP and 10-time All-Star did the majority of his long-ball damage throughout his 11 seasons in St. Louis, where he struck 445 before signing with the Angels after the 2011 season.
He had six 40 or more HR seasons with the Cardinals, with his finest year being 2006 when he struck 49 homers and drove in a career-high 137 runs.
” He is such a good baseball gamer,” Maddon stated. “So yeah, he strikes home runs. Were not seeing it during his youthful days, but this guy has actually played this video game along with anybody has.”.
Benjamin was the 427th various pitcher Pujols homered versus in his profession, and Evans, making his MLB launching, became the 428th two innings later on. Only Bonds has actually homered against more (449 ).
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The 40-year-old Pujols now routes just Barry Bonds (762 ), Hank Aaron (755 ), Babe Ruth (714) and Alex Rodriguez (696 ).
Pujols stated he received a text and e-mail from Mays after he tied the Hall of Famer on Sunday in Colorado. Pujols added that he had not examined his phone after Fridays game to see the number of congratulatory messages he had gotten.
” It is quite special when you are talking about Willie Mays. What he did on the field is fantastic,” Pujols said. “Hes a legend, quite clever and he knows how to give great recommendations.”.
Pujols had struck only four home runs this season before posting the 60th multi-HR game of his career and initially since May 11 last year at Baltimore. He finished with three hits on the night.
Pujols passed Mays with a solo drive to left. Pujols sent a 1-2 fastball from Wes Benjamin into the Rangers bullpen. Pujols pointed to the dugout and did a fist pump as he approached third base.
After the Rangers rallied to get to within 3-2, Pujols led off the seventh with No. 662 off Demarcus Evans into the Angels bullpen to extend the lead.
” I suggest, I understand hes not really a home run player,” Benjamin stated before chuckling. “I threw the one pitch I didnt want to throw.
Pujols has actually gone deep to left 330 times in his profession and 362 have included the bases empty. He stated he is most likely to keep the bat he utilized to pass Mays and that the ball had actually been recovered.
Pujols, who has one more season left on his contract with the Angels after this year, has 108 home runs at Angel Stadium, which is just 3 behind the 111 he struck at brand-new Busch Stadium, which opened in 2006.
Supervisor Joe Maddon stated the only thing missing was having fans in the stands to salute Pujols for reaching the turning point. There was more sound than typical at the ballpark Friday night, together with some cheering, but it was since a drive-in concert was happening in a surrounding parking area.
” Obviously theres a high level of complete satisfaction, but he missed out on the chance to have the adulation that individuals simply shrieking from the rafters,” Maddon said. “Its regrettable. Thats another part of all this. That makes things various, however the guys responded well, Albert usually handled it extremely well.”.
Congratulations, Albert. What an unbelievable achievement pic.twitter.com/dxQObF7tI8— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) September 19, 2020.
What he did on the field is amazing,” Pujols said. Pujols passed Mays with a solo drive to left. Pujols sent out a 1-2 fastball from Wes Benjamin into the Rangers bullpen. Pujols pointed to the dugout and did a fist pump as he approached 3rd base.
” I suggest, I understand hes not actually a home run hitter,” Benjamin stated before laughing.
ANAHEIM, Calif.– Albert Pujols required almost five weeks to connect Willie Mays for 5th place on the profession home run list. It took only 5 days for the Los Angeles Angels slugger to pass him.
Pujols struck No. 661 in the 5th inning on Friday night against the Texas Rangers to break the tie with Mays, then connected once again in his next at-bat in the 6-2 victory.
” I understood that whenever it occurs, whether it was going to be this year or next year, it was going to take place, “he said.” I definitely wasnt considering trying to hit one out. It happened tonight and look how ideal it worked out. I not just got one, but 2 on the night.”.
The Angels quickly praised Pujols on Twitter.
