The veteran Dominican teleporter Albert Pujols connected his unstoppable number 3,000 for life, becoming the thirty-second in the history of the majors to join such a select Club.
It is also the fourth to get at least 3,000 hits and 600 homers, since the Dominican has 620 homers in his career.
After aligning on his first at-bat and walking on his second plate appearance, Friday night at Seattle’s “Safeco Field”, Pujols reached the milestone when he singled to right field with two outs in the fifth inning against the Mariners starter, Mike Leake.
Pujols singled in the ninth inning and outscored Puerto Rican Roberto Clemente for 31st on the all-time list of the majors, adding his hit number 3,001.
The Dominican hit 2 of 4 with two RBIs in the Angels’ triumph for a 5-0 shutout against the Mariners.
Pujols joined the legendary Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and also Dominican-born Alex Rodriguez in the 3,000 / 600 Club, further consolidating his reputation as one of the best hitters of all time.
He is the fourth player in four seasons to reach at least 3,000 hits, after Rodriguez achieved it in 2015, the Japanese Ichiro Suzuki, of the Miami Marlins, in 2016 and the Dominican Adrián Beltré, with the Texas Rangers, the last season.
Pujols and Beltre are the only Dominican players, born in their country, who reach the milestone in Major League Baseball.
Pujols’ 38-year-old productivity has fallen in recent seasons, but his first 10 playing for the San Luis Cardinals in the National League were his best, hitting .331 average with 41 homers, 123 RBIs and 190 hits
Pujols won three MVP awards (MVP of the National League and finished second in the voting four other times).
“What Pujols has achieved so far in professional baseball is something great that should serve as an example to the new values ​​that begin their journey,” said Mike Scioscia, the Angels’ driver. “Going out to compete every night at the level maintained by Albert (Pujols) is only possible in the batters of the class and the offensive power that Pujols has.” EFE
