Albert Pujols Hits 584th Career Home Run, Moves into 10th On the All Time List

The Los Angeles Angels are in the midst of a dismal season, fighting a so far losing battle with the Oakland Athletics to stay out of last place in the American League West. The team still has some players worth watching, like Mike Trout of course, but 36 year old veteran Albert Pujols is also playing well. On August 24th, Pujols was 4 for 4 in the Angels game at Toronto, including his 24th home run of the season in L.A.’s 8-2 victory over the Blue Jays. The home run was the 584th of Pujols’ career, and he moved into tenth place on the all time home run list, passing Mark McGwire. Frank Robinson is in ninth place with 586, a number Pujols should surpass yet this season.

Pujols drove in a total of three runs in the game, giving him 99 RBIs for the season. No longer a perennial .300 hitter (he hit no less than .312 between his 2001 debut season and the 2010 campaign, but hasn’t reached .300 since), he can still hit home runs and drive in runs. He drove in 105 runs in 2014 and 95 last year, and could have his best year since 2009, when he drove in 135 runs for the Cardinals. Pujols is under contract through the 2021 season. He should remain a productive player for most if not all of that time. Maybe the Angels will be contenders again by that time.