Rejuvenated Pujols Reaches Elite Club: 500 Home Runs

Photo Credit: MLB.com

By Francisco Romero

Albert Pujols became the 26th player to reach 500 home runs in his career as a Major League Baseball Player. Pujols hit home runs number 499 and 500 Tuesday night as the Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim beat the Washington Nationals 7 – 2.

The slugger finished the game with 2 home runs and 5 runs batted in.

This season Pujols is healthy and putting up numbers as he did most of his 11 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. With the two home runs on Tuesday he has now 6 HRs with 14 RBIs.

Pujols signed a 10 year $24 million dollar contract after the 2011 season with the Angels.

Pujols became the third youngest player to reach the milestone of 500 home runs at 34 years and 96 years old.

“A pretty special moment,” said Pujols after the game, “It has been a great career, I just give thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ for giving me the power and the strength to play this game every day,” he added during a post game press conference.

The following are some of Albert Pujols’ accomplishments during his Major League Baseball Career:

Selected by the Cardinals in the 13th round of the 1999 draft

As a 21-year-old rookie in 2001 (.329, 37 HRs 130 RBIs)

Batting Title in 2003

National League MVP awards in 2005, 2008 and 2009

World Series Champion with the Cardinals in 2006 and 2011

Hit 30 HRs in each of his first 12 seasons

A nine-time All-Star

After signing with the Angles, injuries have limited Pujols’ productivity. In 2012 he started slow, but still finished with 30 HRs. Last season he only played 99 games and finished the season with 17 home runs, his lowest total since breaking into the majors back in 2001.

“The last couple years have been really tough, but I feel that I’m getting my swing right where I want it to be,” Pujol said.