The Road to 700 and the History of the Home Run Kings

A Night Baseball History Will Never Forget: Albert Pujols 700

Albert Pujols 700 is one of the most iconic milestones in baseball history. On September 23, 2022, Pujols became just the fourth player ever to hit 700 career home runs — joining Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, and Babe Ruth.

Here’s a quick summary of the key facts:

What made the night even more remarkable? Pujols hit both his 699th and 700th home runs in the same game — something no other member of the 700 HR club has ever done.

After rounding the bases on that final swing, he reportedly retreated to a tunnel beneath the stadium and let his emotions go — alone, away from cameras, thinking about his family and the long road it took to get there.

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Reliving the Magic of Albert Pujols 700

The night of September 23, 2022, felt like a movie script. We watched as the St. Louis Cardinals visited the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team Pujols had played for just a year prior. The atmosphere at Dodger Stadium was electric, not just because of the rivalry, but because everyone knew they were on the verge of witnessing a feat that hadn’t been accomplished in nearly two decades.

In the third inning, Pujols blasted career home run No. 699—a 434-foot moonshot off Andrew Heaney. Suddenly, the pressure was on. He didn’t make us wait long. In the very next inning, facing reliever Phil Bickford, Albert saw a hanging slider at 80.8 mph and didn’t miss. He drove it into the left-field pavilion, officially reaching albert pujols 700. The Cardinals went on to win the game in a staggering 11-0 victory, but the score was almost secondary to the history made on the diamond.

The aftermath of the home run was just as fascinating as the hit itself. A fan named Marlowe Leal caught the historic ball. While many fans choose to return milestone balls to the players in exchange for memorabilia or meet-and-greets, Leal kept the ball Marlowe Leal, who caught No. 700, ultimatelykept the ballafter it was authenticated at Dodger Stadium. He then co-signed with Goldin Auctions to sell the prized possession. The entire 33-bid history for the ball can be foundhere.

The market for such a rare piece of history was massive. The ball eventually went to Goldin Auctions, where it fetched a final sale price of $360,000 after a competitive 33-bid history. here Marlowe Leal, who caught No. 700, ultimatelykept the ballafter it was authenticated at Dodger Stadium. He then co-signed with Goldin Auctions to sell the prized possession. The entire 33-bid history for the ball can be foundhere.

Statcast Data for Albert Pujols 700

For the data nerds among us, the metrics behind albert pujols 700 were a testament to the fact that “The Machine” still had plenty of fuel in the tank at age 42. According to MLB Statcast data, the home run featured the following specs:

• Exit Velocity: 99.8 mph
• Launch Angle: 33 degrees
• Distance: 389 feet
• Pitch Type: Slider (80.8 mph with a 2332 rpm spin rate)

It wasn’t just a “cheap” home run; it was a perfectly timed strike that showcased the elite hand-eye coordination that defined his 22-season career.

The Historical Significance of Albert Pujols 700

Reaching 700 home runs is perhaps the most difficult achievement in professional sports. Before Albert, only three men had walked that path: Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, and Babe Ruth.

What makes albert pujols 700 unique is the “same-night” factor. He is the only player in the 700 HR club to hit both Nos. 699 and 700 on the same night. This rapid-fire succession added a level of drama that we rarely see in baseball. It wasn’t a long, drawn-out chase where he sat on 699 for weeks; he simply stepped up and slammed the door shut on the debate in a single evening.

Chasing Legends: Where Pujols Ranks All-Time

When Albert finally hung up his cleats at the end of the 2022 season, his statistical resume was nothing short of breathtaking. He finished his career with 703 home runs, firmly planted as the fourth-greatest power hitter to ever play the game. But the home runs are only half the story.

Pujols retired with 2,218 career RBIs, which ranks him second all-time, trailing only the legendary Hank Aaron (2,297). He also ranks second all-time in total bases, a stat that truly measures a player’s overall offensive contribution. His longevity was equally impressive, recording 18 seasons with at least 20 home runs—a mark bested only by Aaron and Bonds.

To put his greatness into perspective, let’s look at how he stacks up against the other kings of the long ball:

As we can see, Pujols actually surpassed Babe Ruth in career RBIs, further solidifying his case as one of the most productive hitters in history.

Statistical Mastery of the Machine

The nickname “The Machine” wasn’t just a cool moniker; it was a description of his consistency. One of the most “astounding” stats from his career is that he homered off 455 different pitchers—an MLB record that surpassed Barry Bonds’ previous mark of 449. He saw every type of arm, from flame-throwers to junk-ballers, and he conquered them all.

His power traveled well, too. Pujols hit home runs in 40 different ballparks across the league. While he leads all hitters with 120 homers at the current Busch Stadium, he also left his mark on defunct stadiums like Cinergy Field and the old Yankee Stadium.

Even more impressive is who he hit them against. Thirteen of his home runs came off Hall of Fame pitchers, including five off the “Big Unit” Randy Johnson. His peak was also unmatched; through his first 11 seasons with the Cardinals, he hit 445 home runs, the highest total for any 11-season span in baseball history.

For those looking to dive deeper into these stats, you can Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. Albert Pujols Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More | Baseball-Reference.comAlbert PujolsPositions: First Baseman, Leftfielder and Third BasemanBats: Right • Throws: Right6-3, 235lb (190cm, 106kg)Born:January 16,1980in Santo Domingo,Dominican RepublicdoDraft: Drafted by theSt. Louis ….

The Emotional Impact of the 2022 Resurgence

If you had asked fans in early 2022 if Pujols would reach 700, many would have been skeptical. At age 42, he was returning to St. Louis for a “farewell tour.” However, what started as a sentimental reunion turned into one of the greatest late-career surges we’ve ever seen.

In his final season, Albert hit 24 home runs in just 109 games. He posted an .895 OPS, showing that he was still a feared middle-of-the-order threat. His performance helped propel the Cardinals to an NL Central division title. Because of this incredible output, he was rightfully named the National League Comeback Player of the Year.

Despite the personal accolades, Albert remained focused on team success. He often stated that he wasn’t “chasing numbers,” but rather chasing another World Series ring for the city of St. Louis. This championship mindset is what endeared him to fans for over two decades. He decided to retire on his own terms, leaving the game while still performing at an elite level—a rarity in professional sports.

His emotional reaction in the tunnel after albert pujols 700 showed the man behind the machine. He credited his family for being his rock throughout the journey. For us fans, watching him embrace longtime teammates Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright was a reminder that while the stats are permanent, the relationships are what make the game special.

For more on his incredible journey, you can check his SABR BioProject Albert Pujols Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More | Baseball-Reference.comAlbert PujolsPositions: First Baseman, Leftfielder and Third BasemanBats: Right • Throws: Right6-3, 235lb (190cm, 106kg)Born:January 16,1980in Santo Domingo,Dominican RepublicdoDraft: Drafted by theSt. Louis ….

Frequently Asked Questions about Albert Pujols

Who hit the most home runs off different pitchers in MLB history?

Albert Pujols holds the all-time record, having hit home runs off 455 different pitchers during his career. This broke the previous record of 449 held by Barry Bonds.

How much did Albert Pujols’ 700th home run ball sell for?

The 700th home run ball was sold at Goldin Auctions for $360,000. It was caught by fan Marlowe Leal, who chose to auction the ball after it was authenticated at Dodger Stadium.

How many MLB players have reached 700 career home runs?

Only four players in the history of Major League Baseball have reached the 700 home run milestone: Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714), and Albert Pujols (703).

Conclusion

At Apex Observer News, we love celebrating the legacies that define our favorite sports. Albert pujols 700 isn’t just a number; it’s a monument to 22 years of dedication, power, and class. From a 13th-round draft pick to a first-ballot Hall of Fame lock, Albert’s journey is the ultimate baseball success story.

As he moves into his post-playing career—already finding success as a manager in the Dominican Winter League—his final stats remain etched in history. He left the game as a St. Louis legend and a global ambassador for the sport. Whether you’re a die-hard Cardinals fan or just a lover of the game, we can all agree: we were lucky to witness “The Machine” in action.

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