Two Cheers for Albert Pujols' 700th Career Home Run

On Friday night, Albert Pujols became only the fourth player in MLB history to record 700 career home runs. The St. Louis Cardinals slugger joined Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds in this exclusive club when he took Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Phil Bickford in the fourth inning much to the delight of the crowd at Chavez Ravine. Of course, Pujols wore a Dodgers uniform during a portion of last season. It was actually Pujols' 2nd HR of the night along with 5 RBI in an 11-0 rout of the Dodgers. The win puts the Cardinals' magic number to clinch the NL Central to 4. 

Pujols, 42, is having a remarkable final act in his return to St. Louis. In 287 at bats this season, Pujols has hit 21 HR and 58 RBI. While Pujols might not eclipse The Bambino's 714 HRs, he does have a chance to pass Ruth for second place on the all-time RBI list. Pujols has 2208 RBI and needs only 7 more RBIs to go ahead of The Babe. Hank Aaron is MLB's all-time RBI leader with 2297. For good measure, Pujols, Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright have a chance for a third World Series ring together before their impending retirement. The trio won World Series rings with the Redbirds in 2006 and 2011. I was excited about Pujols return to St. Louis when he signed a one year deal back in March and he has exceeded all expectations.

Well, almost all expectations.

The reason I am only giving Pujols two cheers is because back in April he announced divorce proceedings from his wife of 22-years only days after she had surgery to remove a brain tumor. There might have been a myriad of reasons why the marriage of Albert and Deidre Pujols has come to an end. But to initiate divorce proceedings in the immediate aftermath of a life and death medical situation strikes me as incredibly cruel and makes me view the future Hall of Famer in a different light.

Yes, Albert Pujols deserves to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame come 2028. He is among the greatest of the greatest players to ever wear a baseball uniform. But being among the greatest baseball players doesn't make you among the greatest human beings much less a good person. 

I am more than happy to acknowledge Pujols' on-field achievements. But I am not prepared to turn a blind eye to this act of indecency at home.