Albert Pujols is one of the greatest hitters of all time, a terrifying force at the plate who racked up three MVP awards and two World Series titles.
Now, near the end of his incredible career, he’s about to add a rare honor to his collection of achievements.
Pujols is five home runs away from becoming just the fourth member of the 700-HR club, joining Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds. It’s been something of a late-career renaissance for Pujols — his return to the St. Louis Cardinals for what he says is his final season has sparked his best offensive year in over a decade. He’s hitting .272/.348/.526, and he has slugged 16 home runs in a mere 84 games. If he decided to play for one more season, there’s a good chance he’d even be able to pass Ruth for third on the all-time homer list.
One dinger at a time, however. We’ll keep track of Pujols’ chase for 700 right here.
Next games:
Mon., 4:15 p.m. ET vs. WAS (facing Anibal Sanchez)
Tues, 7:45 p.m. ET vs. WAS (facing Paolo Espino)
Wed., 7:45 p.m. ET vs. WAS (facing Cory Abbott)
All-time home run list
Barry Bonds: 762
Hank Aaron: 755
Babe Ruth: 714
Alex Rodriguez: 696
Albert Pujols: 695
Home run No. 695
On Sunday night against the Chicago Cubs, Pujols launched a pitch from Brandon Hughes out of the ballpark for his 695th career home run. He’s now one shy of tying Alex Rodriguez at 696.
695!
Albert Pujols keeps inching closer to history. pic.twitter.com/rk159I0O6h
— MLB (@MLB) September 4, 2022