The news part of the day is that Albert Pujols got one step closer in his improbable quest for 700 homers this year, the final season of his career. But it’s what came after that really stopped me in my tracks.
Passing Alex Rodriguez, Pujols hit 697 today:
Good, great, grand, and a big story. No question about it.
But, as a Cubs fan, it’s not like I was planning to celebrate the moment, or even necessarily write it up in its own post. That happened because, later, I saw what Pujols did after hitting the home run.
This is truly special stuff, and I have to admit, is as good as it gets:
When a player hits a milestone home run, it’s just common practice for the player to get that ball back in exchange for some face time, a picture, some memorabilia, and what-have-you. It’s a nice, courteous exchange (well, usually). The player basically always gets the ball, since it’s generally so meaningful to them.
And Pujols just went and upended the whole thing because he wanted to be kind.
If Pujols doesn’t hit another homer this season, that’s the last home run of his career, and its a historic one, too, since it put him alone in fourth place all-time. That’s a very meaningful home run ball! And he signed it over to the (Pirates) fans who caught it, because it was so special for them, too. I’m blown away.
We can hate on Albert Pujols all we want for the time he spent killing the Cubs, but now I feel like I am pulling for him to get to 700. I’m just really impressed and touched. Can’t lie.