The Night a Baseball Legend Took the Mound
Albert Pujols pitching is one of the most unexpected and entertaining moments in recent MLB history. On May 15, 2022, the future Hall of Famer — known for 703 career home runs — stepped off first base and onto the pitcher’s mound for the very first and only time in his 22-season career.
Here’s the quick version of what happened:
- Date: May 15, 2022
- Game: San Francisco Giants @ St. Louis Cardinals
- Why he pitched: To save the bullpen in a blowout, with the Cardinals leading 13+ runs
- Inning: 9th
- Final score: Cardinals 15, Giants 6
- Pitching line: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 2 HR, 1 BB, 0 SO, 36.00 ERA
- Fastest pitch: 66.3 mph | Slowest pitch: 46.6 mph curveball
- Historic note: Oldest player to make a pitching debut since 1929, at age 42
It was a moment that made fans laugh, cheer, and reach for their phones all at once. Pujols himself joked afterward that “Babe Ruth didn’t give up four runs in his first inning like I did.” Despite the rough stat line, the crowd loved every second of it.
I’m Faisal S. Chughtai, a digital strategist and sports content specialist who has tracked defining MLB moments — including the rare phenomenon of albert pujols pitching — across platforms for years. Read on for a full breakdown of that unforgettable night.
Important albert pujols pitching terms:
The Night Albert Pujols Pitching Debut Stunned the Baseball World
On the evening of May 15, 2022, the atmosphere at Busch Stadium was already electric. The St. Louis Cardinals were in the process of dismantling the San Francisco Giants, leading 15-2 heading into the top of the ninth inning. While the game was effectively over, the fans were treated to a surprise that would go down in baseball lore.
As the Cardinals took the field for the final frame, the “The Machine” didn’t head to his usual spot at first base. Instead, Albert Pujols trotted toward the center of the diamond. The crowd erupted as they realized they were witnessing the impossible: albert pujols pitching.
Pujols, who was 42 years old and in his final MLB season, had never pitched a single inning in his professional career. He had spent two decades terrorizing pitchers, not joining them. However, with a 13-run lead, manager Oliver Marmol decided to give the fans a gift and his bullpen a rest. It was “great theater,” as Giants manager Gabe Kapler later described it.
Breaking Down the Albert Pujols Pitching Statistics
While the “vibes” were immaculate, the actual Albert Pujols Pitching Stats were, well, exactly what you would expect from a 42-year-old first baseman. Pujols threw 27 pitches in total, 16 of which were strikes. He didn’t exactly overpower the Giants’ lineup.
Here is the official box score for his one-inning stint:
Pujols faced seven batters during his appearance. He started by walking Darin Ruf on five pitches. After getting Austin Slater to fly out, he surrendered a three-run home run to Luis Gonzalez—who, ironically, was also a position player who had pitched earlier in the same game for the Giants. Following a single by Evan Longoria, Pujols gave up another solo shot to Joey Bart. He finally secured the last two outs on a flyout and a groundout to seal the 15-6 victory.
Historical Context of Albert Pujols Pitching at Age 42
The appearance wasn’t just a fun stunt; it was a record-breaking event. By taking the mound at age 42, Pujols became the oldest player to make his Major League pitching debut since Lena Blackburne did so for the Chicago White Sox in 1929.
This moment also placed him in a very exclusive club. Before that night, only one player in MLB history had hit at least 600 career home runs and also made an appearance as a pitcher: the legendary Babe Ruth. By the end of the 2022 season, Pujols would join the 700 Home Run Club, making him and Ruth the only two members of that elite fraternity to ever record an inning on the mound.
Velocity and Spin: The Science of the 46 MPH Curveball
When we talk about modern MLB pitching, we usually discuss 100 mph fastballs and high-spin sliders. Albert pujols pitching was the complete opposite of that. According to Statcast data, Pujols’ “arsenal” consisted of a slow fastball and an even slower curveball.
His fastest pitch of the night clocked in at 66.3 mph, which is roughly the speed of a competitive high school softball pitch. However, it was his slow-motion curveball that captured the internet’s attention. He threw a curveball to Tyler Wade that registered at just 46.6 mph. To put that in perspective, that is slower than many elementary school gym class throws.
Despite the lack of heat, the pitch had some interesting metrics:
- Spin Rate: 1343 rpm
- Exit Velocity (against): 85.1 mph
- Launch Angle (against): -9°
- Hit Distance: 21 feet
The pitch resulted in a harmless groundout, proving that sometimes, being too slow to hit is a legitimate strategy. Pujols joked after the game that he wanted to throw 100 mph like his former teammate Shohei Ohtani, but realized he simply “couldn’t even get it there.” Every time he tried to add velocity or keep the ball down, he found himself bouncing it in the dirt.
Why the Cardinals Put a Future Hall of Famer on the Mound
The decision to use a position player to pitch is usually a sign of a game gone sideways. In this case, however, it was a celebratory move. The Cardinals were leading by a massive margin, and the game had already reached historical significance before the 9th inning even began.
Earlier in the game, the legendary duo of Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina set the MLB record for the most wins by a starting battery (203 victories). With the record secured and the lead insurmountable, the Cardinals wanted to keep the mood light and preserve their actual relief pitchers for the next series.
According to reports, Pujols actually overheard the coaches discussing who would pitch the final inning and volunteered himself. “I’ll do it. Why not?” he reportedly said. His teammates were all for it. Yadier Molina was seen laughing and shouting from the dugout, jokingly telling Pujols he “needs to learn to get the ball down.”
The media and fan reaction was overwhelmingly positive. While some “purists” occasionally grumble about position players pitching, the sight of one of the greatest hitters of all time lobbing 50 mph “eephus” pitches brought a sense of joy and whimsy to the game. It was a reminder that even at the highest level, baseball is still a game.
Frequently Asked Questions about Albert Pujols Pitching
How many times did Albert Pujols pitch in the MLB?
Albert Pujols pitched in exactly one game during his 22-season MLB career. That appearance occurred on May 15, 2022, against the San Francisco Giants. Despite playing for the Cardinals, Angels, and Dodgers over two decades, he never took the mound until the final months of his legendary tenure in the big leagues.
What was the fastest pitch Albert Pujols threw?
The fastest pitch recorded during the albert pujols pitching appearance was 66.3 mph. His average fastball velocity for the inning was 63.7 mph. Most of his pitches were intentionally slow, designed just to get the ball across the plate and let the defense do the work. His slowest pitch was a 46.6 mph curveball.
Did Albert Pujols record any strikeouts as a pitcher?
No, Albert Pujols recorded zero strikeouts in his pitching career. He allowed three hits and one walk, with most of the outs coming via flyballs or groundouts. While he didn’t fanning any batters, he did manage to get the final three outs of the game, which was his primary goal.
Conclusion
The story of albert pujols pitching is a perfect microcosm of his final season in St. Louis. It was a year defined by joy, nostalgia, and the celebration of a truly legendary career. While his 36.00 ERA won’t be winning him any Cy Young awards, it added a humanizing and hilarious chapter to a resume that includes 703 home runs, 3,384 hits, and two World Series rings.
As Pujols heads toward a likely unanimous first-ballot induction into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, fans will remember the towering home runs and the “Machine-like” consistency. But they will also remember that one Sunday night in May when a 42-year-old legend decided to have a little fun and lob a 46 mph curveball across the plate.
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