ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – Albert Pujols was only moderately excited when he looked up at the scoreboard and learned he had tied Babe Ruth’s career hits total with his 599th home run.
The slugger always prefers to see less attention focused on his milestones and more on the Angels’ victories – particularly when a first-time starter plays a major role.
Pujols connected during Los Angeles’ nine-run third inning in a 9-3 victory over struggling Bartolo Colon and the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night.
Pujols moved to the brink of his latest landmark with a three-run homer off Colon (2-6) early in the Angels’ biggest inning of the season. After his first-inning single, Pujols’ homer was his 2,873rd career hit, matching Ruth’s total in 30 fewer games.
“I don’t play here for numbers,” Pujols said. “My goal since Day One when I got to the big leagues was to help the organization that I wear the uniform of. … I’m aware of the history, don’t get me wrong. I respect it, but I think that’s kind of a distraction that I don’t want to bring into the game for me.”