Albert Pujols passes Babe Ruth to become second all-time RBI leader behind Hank Aaron
Only the legendary Hank Aaron stands in front of the Albert Pujols now. That should tell you something about how good he is.
Whether you’re a casual fan, diehard supporter or someone who doesn’t care for the game of baseball at all, what Cardinals star did on Monday night is worthy of both respect and recognition.
Albert Pujols passes Babe Ruth on RBI list
As he marches towards the end of his MLB career, Albert Pujols appears to have no intention of taking it easy. On Monday night, the Cardinals slugger did something that we can admit we knew was coming, but to see him actually do it was something special. Albert Pujols took over second place on MLB’s all-time RBI list after surpassing Yankees legend Babe Ruth. To be clear, Pujols was already level with Ruth on 2,214 RBI heading into Monday night’s game in Pittsburgh. The stage was set.
Of course, there was only ever going to be one way in which the Dominican was going make history. Whether the Pirates’ Brad Keller was a willing participant, we will never know, but it was his pitch that Pujols blasted into the night air for his 703rd homerun. With the two-run hit Pujols moved up to 2,216 RBI, meaning the only man left standing in front of him is the legendary Hank Aaron himself with 2,297 RBI. Given that this is in fact Pujols last season, it’s clear that he won’t catch Aaron, but rest assured, the man’s name and career are now in rarified air.
How has this, Albert Pujols’ last season gone?
When Pujols launched Keller’s pitch into the stands, the Pirates pitcher became the 458th to be ‘hit out of the park’ by Pujols and for the Cardinals star himself, it was his 24th homerun of the season. Now 42, Pujols arrived at that figure in just 305 at-bats, impressive to say the least. With that said, he still continues to insist that he will follow through with his plan to retire. If that is the case, then one has to imagine that having spearheaded - with incredible production - his team’s National League Central title, the plan has got to be to win a World Series title. If he can win what would be his 3rd championship with St. Louis, is there really a better way to ride off into the sunset?