Albert Pujols is one of the greatest hitters in Major League Baseball (MLB) history, and his pursuit of the 700 home run mark is a testament to his longevity and consistency at the plate. Throughout his career, Pujols has achieved some of the most impressive offensive feats in the game, cementing his place among the greatest of all time. So, how close is he to the 700 home run mark?
Pujols’ Career Accomplishments
Albert Pujols began his illustrious career in 2001 with the St. Louis Cardinals. In his first 11 seasons with the Cardinals, Pujols was an absolute force, hitting 445 home runs, driving in 1,329 RBIs, and posting a .328 batting average. Pujols was named to nine All-Star teams and won two MVP Awards during his time in St. Louis.
In 2012, Pujols signed a 10-year, $240 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, where he has continued to add to his impressive career totals. Through the 2020 season, Pujols has hit 663 home runs, driven in 2,108 RBIs, and owns a career batting average of .299. He has also been named to three additional All-Star teams and won one more MVP Award since joining the Angels.
Pujols’ Pursuit of 700 Home Runs
In order to reach the 700 home run mark, Pujols needs to hit 37 more home runs. This may seem like an achievable goal for a player of Pujols’ caliber, but it can be difficult for a player in their late-30s and early-40s to remain productive at the plate. Pujols is currently entering his age-41 season, and his age is beginning to catch up to him.
In 2020, Pujols had one of the worst seasons of his career, hitting just .224 with six home runs in 54 games. Despite his struggles, Pujols is still confident that he can reach 700 home runs. He recently stated that he believes he can hit 30 home runs in 2021, which would put him just seven away from the mark.
Reaching 700 Home Runs
For Pujols to reach 700 home runs, he will need to have a productive 2021 season, and there are no guarantees that he will be able to do so. Pujols is still an effective hitter, but his age and recent struggles have to be taken into consideration. If Pujols can remain healthy and productive, then he has a good chance of reaching the 700 home run mark.
Pujols’ Legacy
Regardless of whether he reaches 700 home runs or not, Pujols’ legacy is already secure. He is one of the greatest hitters of all time and has put together an incredible career. Pujols’ pursuit of 700 home runs is a testament to his longevity and consistency at the plate, and if he is able to reach the mark it will be yet another remarkable achievement in an already remarkable career.