Saturday night at Angel Stadium, Angels slugger Albert Pujols became the ninth player in major-league history to hit 600 career home runs.
The milestone blast came in the fourth inning against Twins ace -- and former Angels hurler -- Ervin Santana. Pujols and Santana were teammates during the 2012 season with the Halos.
Pujols joined the 600-homer club with a grand slam down the left-field line. He is the only player in MLB history to hit a grand slam for his 600th career homer. It was also Pujols' ninth home run of this, his age-37 season.
Here is video of the historic home run:
Albert Pujols becomes first player to slam his way into 600-HR club. https://t.co/sHGZEA7iAL#PapaSlampic.twitter.com/15mWbJN5Sc
— MLB (@MLB) June 4, 2017
Check out this amazing shot of the home run; you'll find the business-as-usual Pujols on the left and ecstatic teammate Ben Revere on the right:
Following the milestone home run, MLBPA chief Tony Clark released the following statement:
"I want to congratulate Albert on doing what only eight other men have been able to accomplish in the 141-year history of Major League Baseball. His on-field accomplishments, as well as his contributions and compassion off it, continue to elicit our respect and admiration as baseball fans. I wish him all the best as he rewrites the record books and continues his Hall of Fame worthy career."
Here is the updated all-time home run list. Pujols is the only active player among the top 10:
- Barry Bonds, 762
- Hank Aaron, 755
- Babe Ruth, 714
- Alex Rodriguez, 696
- Willie Mays, 660
- Ken Griffey Jr., 630
- Jim Thome, 612
- Sammy Sosa, 609
- Albert Pujols, 600
- Frank Robinson, 586
Pujols of course began his career with the Cardinals as a 13th-round draft choice in 1999. He won the NL Rookie of the Year in 2001 and went on to win the NL MVP award three times. As a Cardinal, he batted .328/.420/.617 with 445 home runs in 11 seasons.
Before the 2012 season, he signed a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Angels. His numbers have declined significantly since signing that free-agent mega-deal, but he has hit 155 home runs in a Halos uniform. Pujols also has to his credit 19 career postseason home runs.
The next milestone for Pujols, who's sure to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer one day, is 3,000 hits. Right now, he needs 124 more to join Aaron and Mays as the only players to tally 3,000 hits and 600 home runs. Not long after that, he should join Aaron as the only players to reach those milestones and register 2,000 RBI.
