Albert Pujols is in the middle of his 22nd and final MLB season and he’s been soaking it in. He might not be the player he used to be but Pujols is back with the St. Louis Cardinals to wrap up a career that started in St. Louis back in 2001.
Pujols is in Los Angeles to play in his 11th All-Star Game and since he’s not going to be doing this again, the guy with 685 career home runs is participating in the Home Run Derby.
Many assumed Pujols’ inclusion was merely symbolic. The guy is 42 and has hit just six home runs this season. Compared to guys like Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso, Pujols didn’t have much of a chance. Even after he hit 13 home runs in the first round, he got a nice tribute by the fans and players at Dodger Stadium assuming he was done.
RE5PECT.
Everybody loves Albert. #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/qTNRZuZRAs
— MLB (@MLB) July 19, 2022
That wound up being a bit premature. NL home run leader Schwarber tied Pujols so when they both got to the one-minute tiebreaker, Pujols pulled away hitting seven homers to reach 20 total. Schwarber could only get 19 and fell just one short of Pujols. There was no shame as Schwarber congratulated Pujols on advancing to the semifinals.
Nothing but love!
Albert Pujols is moving on! #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/kUf5hxa0CM
— MLB (@MLB) July 19, 2022
Pujols wound up losing in the semifinal to Juan Soto but he kept it competitive, hitting 15 homers and forcing Soto to beat him in the final minute.
Many reacted to what Pujols did. It was certainly surprising and people won’t soon forget.
Very classy of Schwarber to let Pujols keep swinging.
— Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) July 19, 2022
Albert Pujols vs. Kyle Schwarber
summed up in one clip. #HRDerby #Phillies | #HomeRunDerbyX pic.twitter.com/0iXuSYDIVm— Ryan Brodo (@Ryan_Brodo) July 19, 2022
Not to hyperbolize but a 42-year-old Albert Pujols taking down the No. 1 seed in the Home Run Derby is the greatest thing I have ever seen on a baseball field, if not the greatest thing I have ever seen period
— Sarah Wexler (@SarahWexler32) July 19, 2022
albert pujols bc he gotta go back out there pic.twitter.com/roccgLbC0N
— kamryn (@itskamrynlyn) July 19, 2022
GRANDPA PUJOLS DOES IT pic.twitter.com/2YcT9cTJ9p
— Gomer (@GomesDaLegend) July 19, 2022
42 year old Albert Pujols just knocked out the #1 seed in the HR Derby. This is awesome.
— Michelle Smallmon (@msmallmon) July 19, 2022
Pujols after accidentally winning round 1 pic.twitter.com/NM9DfOSSad
— Leon Rose Punt Master Flex (@_prezidente) July 19, 2022
albert pujols headed to the bench pic.twitter.com/GaFfoz3DHo
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) July 19, 2022
Albert Pujols when it came down to a swing-off pic.twitter.com/BcC2Ou5NmA
— Evan (@OhChev) July 19, 2022
Pujols right now #HomeRunDerby pic.twitter.com/GoYEuXezvx
— KickinItWitKeef🇵🇷 (@YoungAdobo4) July 19, 2022