On September 23, 2022, Albert Pujols reached the 700-home run milestone during a legendary performance at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Entering the game against his former team with 698 career home runs, Pujols hit two home runs in consecutive innings—numbers 699 and 700—to become only the fourth player in Major League Baseball (MLB) history to join this elite statistical circle.
The achievement of 700 home runs is arguably the most difficult individual milestone to reach in professional baseball. As we look back from the vantage point of 2026, the 2022 season remains a masterclass in longevity, late-career adjustments, and the emotional resonance of a "retirement tour" done correctly. Albert Pujols did not merely crawl across the finish line; he surged past it, providing one of the most memorable second halves in the history of the sport.
The Context of a Legend: The Road Back to St. Louis
To understand the weight of 700 home runs in 2022, one must look at the trajectory of Albert Pujols’ career leading up to his final season. After eleven dominant seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals (2001–2011), where he won three National League MVP awards and two World Series titles, Pujols signed a massive 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels. His time in Anaheim was productive but lacked the transcendental dominance of his St. Louis years. By 2021, after a brief stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers, many analysts believed Pujols was effectively finished as a high-impact player.
The decision to return to the St. Louis Cardinals for a final season in 2022 was initially viewed by many as a sentimental farewell. At 42 years old, Pujols was expected to serve as a part-time designated hitter and a veteran presence in the clubhouse. However, the narrative shifted as the summer progressed. The "Machine," a nickname earned for his relentless consistency during his prime, seemed to reboot for one final, spectacular run.
The Statistical Mountain: 679 to 700
Pujols entered the 2022 season with 679 home runs. He needed 21 to reach the magic number of 700. For a 42-year-old player who had not hit more than 17 home runs in a single season since 2019, this seemed like a daunting, perhaps impossible, task. The early months of the season did little to dispel the skepticism. By the end of June, Pujols had hit only four home runs. The math suggested he would fall well short of the milestone.
The Turning Point: The 2022 Home Run Derby
The narrative changed during the 2022 All-Star break. Pujols was selected as a special legacy addition to the All-Star team and participated in the Home Run Derby at Dodger Stadium. While he did not win the event, his performance was a catalyst. He advanced past the first round against younger stars, and the outpouring of respect from his peers—many of whom stood behind the cage to watch him swing—seemed to re-energize him.
Following the All-Star break, Pujols became the most dangerous hitter in baseball. His transformation was not merely psychological; it was mechanical. He made subtle adjustments to his stance and timing, allowing him to better handle the high-velocity fastballs that had troubled him in previous years. Between August 1 and the end of the season, Pujols posted an OPS (On-base Plus Slugging) of over 1.000, a level of production that mirrored his MVP years in the mid-2000s.
September 23, 2022: The Night in Los Angeles
The pursuit of 700 reached its crescendo on a Friday night at Dodger Stadium. The atmosphere was poetic; Pujols was chasing history in the stadium where he had spent the latter half of 2021, playing for the team he had helped lead to a division title just a year prior.
Home Run 699: The Prelude
In the third inning, facing Dodgers left-hander Andrew Heaney, Pujols launched a 1-1 slider into the left-field pavilion. This was career home run 699. The crowd, though technically rooting for the home team, erupted in a standing ovation. The anticipation in the stadium reached a fever pitch. Everyone present realized that history was not just possible, but imminent.
Home Run 700: Joining the Immortals
In the very next inning, the Cardinals again loaded the bases, bringing Pujols to the plate against right-hander Phil Bickford. With the count at 1-1, Bickford threw an 83-mph slider that caught too much of the plate. Pujols connected with a high, towering fly ball that landed in the left-field bleachers.
As Pujols rounded the bases, he did so with the same methodical, professional gait that had characterized his previous 699 trots. Upon crossing home plate, he was met by his teammates and several Dodger players who acknowledged the gravity of the moment. He had become the fourth member of the most exclusive club in baseball:
- Barry Bonds: 762
- Hank Aaron: 755
- Babe Ruth: 714
- Albert Pujols: 703 (Final Career Count)
Technical Analysis of the 700th Milestone
Pujols’ achievement was remarkable not just for the total number, but for how he achieved it in the modern era of pitching. In 2022, the average fastball velocity was significantly higher than during the eras of Babe Ruth or Hank Aaron. Pujols had to contend with sophisticated "pitch tunneling," high-speed cameras (Statcast), and specialized relievers who threw 100 mph.
Why the Second Half Was Different
The primary reason for Pujols' success in late 2022 was his dominance against left-handed pitching. Throughout the season, he maintained a slugging percentage against lefties that was among the highest in the league. By strategically using him in platoons, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol maximized Pujols' opportunities to see pitches he could drive.
Furthermore, the introduction of the Universal Designated Hitter (DH) in the National League in 2022 was instrumental. Without the DH, Pujols would have been forced to play first base, which would have increased the physical toll on his body and likely led to fatigue or injury. The DH role allowed him to focus entirely on his preparation and execution at the plate.
| Statistic | 2022 Season (Overall) | Post-All-Star Break | Career (Total) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Runs | 24 | 18 | 703 |
| Batting Average | .270 | .323 | .296 |
| Slugging % | .550 | .715 | .544 |
| OPS | .895 | 1.103 | .918 |
| Games Played | 109 | 56 | 3,080 |
The "3,000 and 700" Distinction
While 700 home runs is the headline, Pujols' legacy is defined by a combination of power and precision. He is one of only two players in the history of Major League Baseball to record both 3,000 career hits and 700 career home runs. The other is Hank Aaron.
This distinction separates Pujols from pure "sluggers." Throughout his career, and even in his final 2022 campaign, Pujols was a difficult batter to strike out. His ability to make contact while maintaining elite power is a rare trait. Even as his foot speed declined and his defensive range narrowed, his "bat-to-ball" skills remained elite. From 2001 to 2011, he famously had more home runs than strikeouts in several seasons—a feat that is virtually unthinkable in the high-strikeout environment of the 2020s.
The Cultural Impact of the 700th Home Run
For fans in St. Louis and the Dominican Republic, Pujols' 700th home run was more than a statistical achievement. It was a moment of national and regional pride. Pujols, born in Santo Domingo, became the first Latin American player to reach the 700-home run mark. This milestone served as an inspiration to a generation of international players who grew up watching his disciplined approach and quiet leadership.
In St. Louis, the 2022 season felt like a "last dance." Along with longtime teammates Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright, Pujols brought a sense of closure to an era of Cardinals baseball that was defined by winning and professionalism. The fact that he reached the milestone while the team was in the midst of a division title race added competitive stakes to the personal quest.
2026 Retrospective: The Rarity of the Achievement
Looking back from 2026, the achievement feels even more significant. In the current landscape of baseball, where players often prioritize launch angle over contact and where career longevity is threatened by increasing pitch velocities, the idea of a player reaching 700 home runs seems more distant than ever.
The current active leaders in home runs are aging, and none are on a clear trajectory to hit 700. Pujols' 2022 season was the perfect alignment of health, motivation, and situational opportunity. It required him to stay relatively healthy for over 20 years and to maintain a high level of motivation long after he had secured his financial future and Hall of Fame credentials.
The Hall of Fame Path
As of 2026, Albert Pujols is preparing for his first year of eligibility for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2028. There is no doubt among historians and writers that he will be a first-ballot inductee, potentially challenging the highest voting percentages ever recorded. The 700th home run in 2022 was the final exclamation point on a resume that includes:
- Two World Series Titles
- Three NL MVPs
- Eleven All-Star appearances
- Two Gold Glove Awards
- Six Silver Slugger Awards
Frequently Asked Questions
Who gave up Albert Pujols' 700th home run?
The 700th home run was hit off Phil Bickford, a right-handed relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Earlier in the same game, Andrew Heaney gave up Pujols' 699th home run. Bickford later spoke graciously about the event, noting that while he was a competitor, he recognized the historical significance for the sport of baseball.
How many players reached 700 home runs before Pujols?
Only three other players in the history of Major League Baseball reached the milestone: Babe Ruth (1934), Hank Aaron (1973), and Barry Bonds (2004). Pujols became the first player to join the club in 18 years, and the first ever from outside the United States.
Was the 700th home run ball returned to Pujols?
The fan who caught the 700th home run ball, Marlowe Leal, initially kept the ball and later put it up for auction. While some fans return milestone balls for memorabilia or meet-and-greets, this ball eventually sold at auction for $360,000 in late 2022. Pujols himself expressed that he did not mind fans keeping the balls, as they are part of the fans' experience of the game.
How did the Universal DH impact Pujols’ chase for 700?
The Universal DH rule, implemented in the National League starting in 2022, was crucial. It allowed the Cardinals to keep Pujols' bat in the lineup without exposing his aging body to the rigors of playing first base every day. This preserved his health and allowed him to focus on hitting, particularly against left-handed pitchers.
Where does Pujols rank in career RBIs and total bases?
As of his retirement at the end of the 2022 season, Albert Pujols ranks second all-time in career RBIs (2,218), trailing only Hank Aaron. He also ranks second all-time in total bases (6,211), again trailing only Aaron. These rankings highlight that Pujols was not just a home run hitter, but one of the most productive offensive engines in history.
Practical Takeaway: Honoring the Milestone Today
For baseball fans and historians in 2026, the 700th home run serves as a reminder of the importance of career longevity and the value of a strong finish. If you are looking to revisit this piece of history, many sports archives and the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum offer detailed exhibits on the 2022 season.
The primary lesson from Pujols' 2022 campaign is that professional development does not end with age. By embracing new data, adjusting his mechanics, and accepting a specialized role, Pujols was able to achieve the "impossible." For any athlete or professional, his 2022 season stands as a blueprint for how to evolve in the face of changing industry standards while staying true to the fundamental skills that led to initial success.
