The legendary Albert Pujols continued to work his way up Major League Baseball’s all-time hit list on Tuesday, but not before a hilarious umpire mistake.
Leading off the fourth inning for the St. Louis Cardinals, Pujols grounded a 1-2 pitch into left field for a single. It was hit No. 3,320 in the illustrious career of Pujols, moving him past Paul Molitor on the all-time list, alone into ninth place.
3⃣,3⃣2⃣0⃣ hits@PujolsFive is now in sole possession of 9th all-time in MLB history. pic.twitter.com/B2pUBfmphF
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 8, 2022
The hit came three pitches after a mistake from home plate umpire, Nick Mahrley.
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jeffrey Springs delivered a pitch to Pujols which Mahrley called a strike. Mahrley’s call was correct. The ball was in the strike zone. But Mahrley also rang Pujols up on the pitch — which was only Strike 2.
This ump just tried to ring up Albert Pujols on two strikes pic.twitter.com/crueUzVaiF
— Welcome to the Ump Show (@umpjob) June 8, 2022
The look of disdain Pujols has for this ump after confusing strike two for strike three lol pic.twitter.com/dg16TQKJbs
— Welcome to the Ump Show (@umpjob) June 8, 2022
This mistake doesn’t quite register on the same level as some of the others made by MLB umpires this season. It was corrected and unlike some other clerical errors this season, a long review was not needed to get things right.
Still, the gaffe did not go unnoticed or uncriticized by baseball fans, who have routinely been baffled by the mistakes of umpires all year.
When trying to make it all about yourself goes wrong. That’s the epitome of the ump shop. Bravo 👏🏾👏🏾 https://t.co/oz0PznNB1J
— Quinn (@Quinn_Williams) June 8, 2022
Come on man https://t.co/y1eIidWzTj
— Derek Gottman (@gottmand) June 8, 2022
The dude was so wanting to ring up Pujols https://t.co/cABaNKFXdW
— Now extend King Tuck (@bseballguru) June 8, 2022
This had me absolutely rolling lol. https://t.co/kzctWMSwsa
— Janelle Dunn (@JanelleSue0912) June 8, 2022
Hey look! It's Enrico Pallazzo! https://t.co/oCjOovGm3O
— ⚾️ Reds It's Time to Retire #19 ⚾️ (@WillLew51464805) June 8, 2022
Fortunately, the brief mistake did not keep people from praising Pujols for his tremendous achievement.
Movin' on up.
Congrats to the legend!! https://t.co/MGyfPO6ma6
— GB (@BondsSports) June 8, 2022
https://twitter.com/WilliamLeeRich/status/1534333235433558029
— bri (@Bri_Lu12) June 8, 2022
Next on the list is another Hall of Famer, Carl Yastrzemski. Pujols is 99 hits shy of Yaz, who retired with 3,419 hits.
Pujols’ hit on Tuesday was only his 19th of the season. So, if he’s going to get the 100 more hits needed to pass Yastrzemski, he’d have to pick his pace way up. Pujols can do that, but it won’t be easy. It would help if umpires adhered to the customary practice of “three strikes and you’re out” for the remainder of his at-bats.
[St. Louis Cardinals, Welcome to the Ump Show]
