Albert Pujols’ latest home run moves him past Rafael Palmeiro on the all-time home run list.
Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols blasted his 570th career home run on Friday night, moving past Rafael Palmeiro into twelfth place on the all-time home run list. The two-run home run, part of a six-run third inning, put the Angels up 6-0 in the contest, giving them a lead they would never relinquish. It was Pujols’s tenth home run of the season, two in his last four games, and his first career hit against Astros starter Mike Fiers.
Though his batting average has dropped significantly since coming over to the Angels as a free agent after the 2011 season, Pujols still has shown the ability to hit the long ball. Last season, in a year in which he hit a career-low .244, Pujols smacked 40 home runs, which was good enough for fifth in the American League. It was his highest home run total since 2010 when he finished second in the MVP voting as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Over the course of his career, Pujols has hit 40 or more home runs seven times and has only hit less that 28 once. That season, Pujols hit only 17 home runs, but it came in a season that saw him play only 99 games due to injury.
This season, Pujols is batting a measly .220, which would by far be his lowest batting average of his career. However, his 10 home runs puts him on pace to hit 34 in 2016, which would move him into ninth place on the all-time list. If he stays healthy, three all-time sluggers could see themselves passed before the season ends.
Harmon Killebrew and his 573 home runs are up next, with Mark McGwire (583) and Frank Robinson (586) in clear sight.
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