The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols watches the flight of his second home run of the night – and the 700th of his career – off of Dodgers relief pitcher Phil Bickford (not pictured) during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols hits his second home run of the night – and the 700th of his career – off of Dodgers relief pitcher Phil Bickford (not pictured) during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols hits his second home run of the night – and the 700th of his career – off of Dodgers relief pitcher Phil Bickford (not pictured) during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols hits his second home run of the night – and the 700th of his career – off of Dodgers relief pitcher Phil Bickford (not pictured) during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols watches the flight of his second home run of the night – and the 700th of his career – off of Dodgers relief pitcher Phil Bickford, left, during the fourth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols watches the flight of his second home run of the night – and the 700th of his career – off of Dodgers relief pitcher Phil Bickford (not pictured) during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Pujols has repeatedly said that his short time with the Dodgers in 2021 helped him rediscover the joy in playing. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols watches the flight of his second home run of the night – and the 700th of his career – off of Dodgers relief pitcher Phil Bickford (not pictured) during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols watches the flight of his second home run of the night – and the 700th of his career – off of Dodgers relief pitcher Phil Bickford (not pictured) during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols celebrates after hitting his second home run – the 700th of his career – off of Dodgers relief pitcher Phil Bickford (not pictured) during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Pujols is just the fourth major league player to reach the milestone. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols celebrates after hitting his second home run – the 700th of his career – off of Dodgers relief pitcher Phil Bickford (not pictured) during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Pujols is just the fourth major league player to reach the milestone. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols runs the bases after hitting his second home run of the night – and the 700th of his career – off of Dodgers relief pitcher Phil Bickford (not pictured) during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers fans, coaches and players react after the St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols (not pictured) hit his second home run of the night – and the 700th of his career – off of Dodgers relief pitcher Phil Bickford (not pictured) during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols runs the bases after hitting his second home run of the night – and the 700th of his career – off of Dodgers relief pitcher Phil Bickford, right, during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols runs the bases after hitting his second home run of the night – and the 700th of his career – off of Dodgers relief pitcher Phil Bickford (not pictured) during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols celebrates after hitting his second home run of the night – and the 700th of his career – off of Dodgers relief pitcher Phil Bickford, left, during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols is congratulated by third base coach Ron “Pop” Warner as he runs the bases after hitting his second home run of the night – and the 700th of his career – off of Dodgers relief pitcher Phil Bickford (not pictured) during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols celebrates with his teammates and coaches after hitting his second home run of the night – and the 700th of his career – off of Dodgers relief pitcher Phil Bickford (not pictured) during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols celebrates in the dugout after hitting his second home run of the night – and the 700th of his career – off of Dodgers relief pitcher Phil Bickford (not pictured) during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols celebrates in the dugout after hitting his second home run of the night – and the 700th of his career – off of Dodgers relief pitcher Phil Bickford (not pictured) during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols celebrates in the dugout after hitting his second home run of the night – and the 700th of his career – off of Dodgers relief pitcher Phil Bickford (not pictured) during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols hits his first home run of the night – and the 699th of his career – off of Dodgers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney, left, during the third inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols hits his first home run of the night – and the 699th of his career – off of Dodgers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney, left, during the third inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols hits a two-run home run – the 699th of his career – off of Dodgers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (not pictured) during the third inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Pujols added his 700th homer in the fourth inning, becoming just the fourth major league player to reach the milestone. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols watches the flight of his two-run home run – the 699th of his career – off of Dodgers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (not pictured) during the third inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Pujols added his 700th homer in the fourth inning, becoming just the fourth major league player to reach the milestone. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols watches the flight of his two-run home run – the 699th of his career – off of Dodgers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (not pictured) during the third inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Pujols added his 700th homer in the fourth inning, becoming just the fourth major league player to reach the milestone. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols runs the bases after hitting his first home run of the night – and the 699th of his career – off of Dodgers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (not pictured) during the third inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols runs the bases after hitting his first home run of the night – and the 699th of his career – off of Dodgers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (not pictured) during the third inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols runs the bases after hitting his first home run of the night – and the 699th of his career – off of Dodgers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (not pictured) during the third inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Fans cheer in the stands as the St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols runs the bases after hitting his first home run of the night – and the 699th of his career – off of Dodgers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (not pictured) during the third inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols runs the bases after hitting his first home run of the night – and the 699th of his career – off of Dodgers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (not pictured) during the third inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols celebrates as he crosses home plate after hitting his first home run of the night – and the 699th of his career – off of Dodgers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (not pictured) during the third inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols celebrates as he crosses home plate after hitting his first home run of the night – and the 699th of his career – off of Dodgers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (not pictured) during the third inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols, right, is congratulated by teammate Paul Goldschmidt as he heads back to the dugout after hitting his first home run of the night – and the 699th of his career – off of Dodgers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (not pictured) during the third inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols celebrates as he heads back to the dugout after hitting his first home run of the night – and the 699th of his career – off of Dodgers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (not pictured) during the third inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols, right, celebrates as he heads back to the dugout after hitting his first home run of the night – and the 699th of his career – off of Dodgers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (not pictured) during the third inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols celebrates in the dugout after hitting his first home run of the night – and the 699th of his career – off of Dodgers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (not pictured) during the third inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols celebrates in the dugout after hitting his first home run of the night – and the 699th of his career – off of Dodgers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (not pictured) during the third inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — The Machine is still working, long after the warranty expired.
With home runs in back-to-back at-bats Friday night, Albert Pujols became the fourth member of baseball’s 700 club, joining Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714) as the only players in baseball history to reach that milestone.
“This is like the Mount Rushmore of sluggers,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “To reach that 700 home run mark, it’s remarkable.”
Pujols drove in five runs with home runs No. 699 and 700, each blow cheered by a Dodger Stadium crowd willing to cede the 11-0 Dodgers loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in favor of watching history.
“What a special night,” Pujols said afterward, surrounded by his children. “First of all to have my family here in town and be able to do it here at Dodger Stadium where I think I said earlier my joy pretty much of this game came back.
“It’s amazing how God works. This could have happened last week in St. Louis, which probably would have been awesome. But to let it happen tonight in front of my family and friends and people who really care about me it’s really special for me.”
Before the game, the Dodgers celebrated Pujols and teammate Yadier Molina, both planning to retire after this season, in an on-field ceremony that finished with Pujols taking the microphone and thanking the Dodgers and the fans for bringing “the joy” back for him.
That joy had been sucked out of the game for Pujols as his body broke down frequently during his years in Anaheim and the Angels fell into mediocrity. Released by the Angels in May last season, he signed with the Dodgers and embraced a bench role – and embraced teammates at every opportunity.
“I was talking to (Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew) Friedman and Doc (Roberts) during batting practice and I told them if they didn’t give me that opportunity I don’t think I would be sitting here today or you would have seen history tonight,” Pujols said.
In the offseason, he signed with the Cardinals, giving it one final go-round with his original team. It seemed like a ceremonial tour until he caught fire in the second half. Feted at the All-Star Game, Pujols was a fan – and player – favorite in the Home Run Derby and kept hitting home runs when the season resumed. He has hit 15 since the All-Star break, each one bringing the 700 mark closer to reality.
“The stars seemed to have to align for it to play out like this. I don’t think Albert even thought it was a possibility,” Roberts said. “You have to give Ollie (Marmol, Cardinals manager) credit for running him out there. You have to give the Cardinals credit for giving him an opportunity. And you have to most importantly give Albert credit because he’s performing.
“I don’t know how many homers he needed this year – then at the All-Star break he just went on a tear. You can’t bet against a guy like that.”
No pitcher on the Dodgers’ current active roster had given up a home run to Pujols before Friday – but Andrew Heaney and Phil Bickford presented likely victims. Heaney has given up 13 home runs in his past 33⅔ innings. Bickford has given up 12 in 61 innings this year.
Heaney did get the better of the 42-year-old Pujols in his first at-bat, striking him out on an elevated fastball.
Pujols got a second shot against his former Angels teammate in the third inning. This time, Heaney left a 1-and-2 fastball over the heart of the plate and Pujols did what he has been doing for 22 big-league seasons. He clubbed it deep into the left field pavilion, 434 feet away, for home run No. 699.
“When it left my hand. I knew that (stuff) was going right down the middle and that’s not good to him,” Heaney said. “I mean, he got it. He got it really good. I know it was a two-strike pitch, trying to go up, just kind of yanked it down, right down the middle. He’s not gonna miss those.”
After retiring the first two batters in the fourth inning, Heaney walked Brendan Donovan and Tommy Edman to bring Pujols to the plate again.
Roberts didn’t want Pujols to get another crack at the left-handed Heaney. He brought in the right-handed Bickford. The result was the same.
Bickford threw three sliders and Pujols hammered the third one into the left field pavilion (a mere 389 feet this time) for his 700th career home run. He and Aaron are the only players in baseball history with 700 home runs and 3,000 hits.
“At first, I was upset that I gave up the home run,” Bickford said. “When the crowd reacted, seeing all the smiles, it was a very special moment for MLB. And Albert Pujols is also one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. After I got over being upset at giving up the home run, toward the very end of it, it was obviously a special moment.”
Heaney and Bickford joined a far less-exclusive club, becoming the 454th and 455th pitchers to give up home runs to Pujols, the most any player has ever victimized. He has now hit exactly 500 home runs off of right-handed pitchers and 200 off of lefties.
Pujols rounded the bases then detoured to share a two-handed high five with another former Dodger, Adrian Beltre, seated behind home plate. The Cardinals poured out of the dugout to celebrate with Pujols and the game was held up briefly as Pujols received a standing ovation, waving his helmet at the crowd in acknowledgment as a tribute video played on the scoreboard.
“It’s pretty special but … when it’s really going to hit me is when I’m done after the season and I retire,” Pujols said. “Probably a month or two after that, I can look at the numbers. Don’t get me wrong. I know where my place is in this game. But I think since Day One when I made my debut, it was never about chasing numbers. It was always about winning championships and trying to get better in this game.
“That’s why I don’t focus on the numbers. I will. One day. But not right now because I’m still out there active in this game.”
Juan Yepez, Alec Burleson and Lars Nootbar hit less historic home runs for the Cardinals as the 104-win Dodgers were reduced to bit players on Pujols’ stage. It was the Dodgers’ biggest margin of defeat this season, their worst shutout loss since 2018 and just the second time this year a team put up double digits in runs against them. The Phillies beat them, 12-10, in 10 innings on May 13.
“I felt those (mixed) emotions,” Roberts said. “I was very pissed about the execution we had tonight. But you have to sometimes step back and appreciate that it’s not always about you. In this particular case, it was certainly bigger than all of us, for sports.
“So I guess if we’re not going to execute pitches, I’m happy that it was Albert, I guess. But I never like to lose.”
Pujols joins Ted Williams as the only players to hit 20 HR in their first and last season in MLB history (min. 10 seasons played). https://t.co/HDVRTkcduK
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