On September 23, 2022, Albert Pujols joined the unique MLB 700 Home Run Club. This peculiar accomplishment has best been completed by way of 4 gamers in the historical past of the MLB: Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds, and now Albert Pujols. While it has now been reached 4 occasions, it can be a couple of many years earlier than the membership welcomes a brand new member.
While Pujols has at all times been on tempo to enroll in the 700 home run membership, his dip in manufacturing and plate appearances had many pundits doubting whether or not or now not he would achieve the milestone. Now, because of a late-career resurgence, Pujols unearths himself completing the 2022 season as one among baseball’s freshest batters whilst additionally posting the 703rd dinger of his profession.
” The Cardinals honor Albert Pujols at Busch Stadium on joining the 700 club.” – Cards Nation
Now that the membership has welcomed its latest member, it is time to dive deeper into every unique patron.
The 700 Home Run Club Founder: Babe Ruth
Few gamers in the historical past of baseball are as world-renowned and respected as Babe Ruth. The Great Bambino modified baseball without end and achieved feats that gave the impression inconceivable. He was once the primary participant in baseball historical past to hit 700 home runs, en path to an astounding 7 World Series titles, in addition to turning into probably the most “first five”.
The first gamers to be named to the Hall of Fame had been referred to as the “first five” consisting of Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Christy Matthewson, and Walter Johnson.
Ruth would grow to be an American Icon, who now not best excelled with the bat, however was once a dominant pitcher, completing with a profession file of 94-46 with a 2.28 ERA.
“1933, Babe Ruth on the mound” – Old Time Hardball
Hammerin’ Hank Aaron joins the membership
For more or less 40 years, Babe Ruth was once the lone member of the MLB 700 Home Run Club till Hank Aaron slugged his method into immortality in 1973. One of, if now not the, biggest hitters in baseball historical past, Aaron is one among best two gamers to hit 30 home runs in a season a minimum of fifteen occasions.
Aaron would finish his profession with an unfathomable 25 All-Star choices, in addition to keeping the all time file for RBIs with 2,297 general. He remained the one different member of the 700 Home Run Club earlier than Barry Bonds joined 31 years after Aaron. Until he was once surpassed (arguably) by way of Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron was once the unquestioned home run king.
“Hank Aaron’s first and only home run at Fenway Park” – @HonestLarry1
Barry Bonds joins the membership*
Arguably probably the most proficient participant in the historical past of baseball, Barry Bonds’ profession and accomplishments were tarnished by way of PED use. The essence of a 5-tool participant, Bonds made his presence felt in each aspect of the sport. Had he now not been a central determine in baseball’s steroid scandal, Bonds could have long past down in historical past as the best baseball participant of all time.
On August seventh, 2007, Barry Bonds hit his 756th home run, surpassing Hank Aaron for the all time profession chief in home runs.
“On This Date: Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron’s home run record with No. 756.” – ESPN
Upon his retirement in 2007, Bonds would end his profession with 762 home runs, 7 National League MVP awards, 14 All-Star appearances, 8 Gold Glove awards, and admission into the 700 Home Run Club. Though he might by no means achieve the Hall of Fame because of alleged steroid use, what Bonds may do at the box was once one thing to behold.
The newest member to go into the membership, Albert Pujols
MLB’s 700 Home Run Club welcomed its fourth member to the crowd when Albert Pujols introduced his 700th on September twenty third. The 42-year-old Dominican-born slugger struck worry in the hearts of opposing pitchers for 22 seasons in the MLB.
“The first player not born in the United States to hit 700 home runs in Major League Baseball is Albert Pujols. He is a legend on the field. That ball was hit all the way to Santo Domingo. We may never see a record like this again in our lifetimes.” – Noah Friedman