Cardinals History: Albert Pujols swats number 700 against the Dodgers

Today, in St. Louis Cardinals history, Chavez Ravine housed not only Cardinal memories, but baseball immortality.

Albert Pujols, the greatest right-handed hitter in baseball history, swatted his 699th and 700th home runs against the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

Pujols had announced he’d retire no matter what happened in the chase for 700, and he followed up by bashing two mammoth homers to land him in irrefutable territory. 

In his final season, Pujols gave a new generation of Cardinal fans just a glimpse at his true greatness. 

Across 307 at-bats, Pujols walloped 24 home runs and slashed .270/.345/.550. Those were his best marks since 2013. 

Pujols’ final season was full of memorable moments: a last laugh against the Cubs, a pimp-job for the ages against the Brew Crew, and a heap of clutch homers. 

But none could truly encapsulate, or put a cherry on top, like number 700. 

Let’s relive it together. 

Pujols makes Cardinal and baseball history against the Dodgers 

Number five’s first at-bat wasn’t special; it came and went, leaving fans yearning for more. 

As his spot in the order came up, the Cardinals had earned a baserunner and awaited Pujols’ response. 

In the third inning, against left-handed hurler Andrew Heaney, the baseball icon elevated and celebrated, leaving the park deep into the left field bleachers–an absolute missile. 

A blockbuster moment, destined for Hollywood, in the heart of Cali-baseball: Pujols knew what he was doing. 

Fans wouldn’t have to wait long after to witness another Pujols blast. 

The following inning, in the fourth, Pujols came to bat against right-hander Phil Bickford. 

Earlier in the season, the elder machine hadn’t had many opportunities against righties. 

As the season progressed, the months got hotter, and so did Albert’s bat. Even same-handed foes couldn’t stop his onslaught. 

Marmol took heed of his high-rise, and thus, the Bickford-battle was born. 

Bickford was mostly known for his junk drawer in LA. He could spin it, and that’s why the Dodgers kept him around. 

In this matchup, though, his curveball spun right into the barrel of The Machine. It propelled deep into the LA skyline and landed in the lucky hands of a fan who’d become a part of baseball lore–by happenstance. 

Pujols smiled as he rounded the bases. As an often serious competitor, it was a sight to behold for all of baseball to see the Cardinal king rounding the bases like a kid again. 

With a smile like an upside-down arch, Pujols touched home plate, only to be embraced by his brother in all ways but blood, Yadier Molina. 

Cardinal baseball has stalled since. There haven’t been moments like Pujols’ to cling to. 

Still, as we look back on what once was, remember that, at a time, it was still what was to come. 

To this day, Pujols continues to remind the best fans in baseball that it’s just a little bit different in St. Louis. 

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