Albert Pujols Joins 500 Home Run Club

Albert Pujols has joined the elite 500 Home Run Club, becoming the 26th player ever to do so.

The Los Angeles Angels first baseman became the first guy to hit his 499th and 500th in the same game, driving in five runs in his team's 7-2 win over the Washington Nationals Tuesday night. Both longballs came off right-hander Taylor Jordan: a three-run bomb in the first inning and another for two in the fifth.

Pujols is the third-youngest player to reach the home run milestone, just two years older than Alex Rodriguez and Jimmie Foxx, who were both 32. He also just so happened to hit his 400th at Nationals ballpark as a St. Louis Cardinal.

Oddly enough, both people who caught the home run balls were Angels fans. Roy Kirkley returned No. 499 to Pujols before Tom Sherrill, also from California, caught Pujols' 500th and gave it back after the game. Don't these people know if you hold out long enough you can get season tickets and signed merchandise? Amateurs.

The three-time National League MVP, who leads the Angels with 19 RBIs, is on quite a tear as of late. All eight of his homers this season have come in his last 13 games.

[ESPN]

Ryan Braun Responds to Boos with 3-Homer Day at Citizens Bank Park

In a very Barry Bonds-esque performance at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Ryan Braun was booed and then booed some more. His response? Three home runs.

In the video below, Philadelphia Phillies fans can be heard calling him a cheater from the stands, unwilling to forgive or forget his purchase of PEDs from Biogenesis, denial of said purchase, and the slap on the wrist that followed.

After only three hits in 20 at bats this season, the Milwaukee Brewers right fielder knocked in a career-high seven runs to tie a franchise record in his team's 10-4 victory. He had not gone yard in 98 plate appearances -- the longest drought of his career -- dating back to last summer. However, it was no surprise he ended his homer slump in Philly, where he has 10 longballs in 21 career games.

[VIDEO] Miguel Cabrera Nails 2000th Career Hit in Longball Fashion

Miguel Cabrera is a beast. You know, I know it. He accomplished his 2000th career hit today, and of course it was a home run. Don't be silly.

The Detroit Tigers first baseman notched hit No. 2000 of his career Friday afternoon in the form of a two-run bomb to left field. It came off Baltimore Orioles reliever Ryan Webb in the eighth inning of his team's 10-4 win at Comerica Park, where he enjoyed a 4-for-5 game, including an RBI single in the sixth.

Cabrera is the ninth player in MLB history to have 2,000 or more hits by the age of 31, joining the likes of Hank Aaron, Mel Ott, and Rogers Hornsby.

Longest, Most Exciting Season Opener Ever: Blue Jays Beat Indians 7-4 in 16 Innings

Thursday provided some much-need action for baseball fans everywhere. Even in Canada.

The Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians kicked off their 2012 seasons at Progressive Field in exciting fashion when the Jays rallied to force extras with a three-run ninth to tie it up at four runs a piece. The game then lasted another seven innings, a record of 16 total. Too bad they stop selling beer after the seventh inning.

Our favorite Blue Jay, J.P. Arencibia, was on an unfortunate 0-for-6, three strikeout roll before connecting off Indians reliever Jairo Asencio in the 16th, resulting in the game-winning three-run shot. He caught all 16 innings, so his quads must be pretty sore. He probably needs a rub down.

Of course, it just wouldn't feel right unless Jose Bautista went yard, too. There goes no. 1 of at least 50 this season.

[ESPN]

Slumpbuster! Albert Pujols Goes Berserk, Hits Three Homers in 16-7 World Series Rout

Looks like somebody enjoyed a slump buster Friday night.

After grounding out in the first inning, Albert Pujols stepped up to the plate in the fourth and finally got a hit, nailing a single to shallow left field to finally bust out of an 0-7 World Series rut against the Texas Rangers Saturday night. The following inning, he hit another single to just about the same spot. With two on and nobody out in the sixth, he pounded a three-run shot to quiet the crowd and give the St. Louis Cardinals a two-run lead before hitting another homer worth two runs in the seventh.

Jim Thome Crushes Career Homers No. 599 and 600

To celebrate our buddy Jimmers' 600th career longball, which he mashed into tater salad Monday night in the seventh inning of his Minnesota Twins' 9-6 win over the Tigers in Detroit, we decided to be lazy as hell and just link to some of our favorite WordUpThome-related Dugouts. Mainly because we already detailed what an amazing accomplishment it is like two homers ago. Enjoy.

AL Central Folklore

The Upper Deck

A-Rod's Violent Gambling Parties

Mark Teixeira is a Switch-Hitting Animal

Mark Teixeira set a big league record Tuesday evening when he went yard from both sides of the plate in his team's rainy 6-0 win over the Chicago White Sox.

The All-Star first baseman hit a two-run shot batting right-handed off John Danks in the third inning before adding his second longball of the night batting left-handed against Jason Frasor in the seventh. Well done.

Jim Thome is About to Go Yard and No One Cares

*except the good folks of Minnesota and Cleveland.

Of course, I'm a Twins fan at heart, but I appreciate each and every club in Major League Baseball. All 30 of them. Even the Yankees. So, if there was a 40-year-old man just four home runs shy of joining the elusive 600 home run club playing in a Marlins uniform, I'd still be way interested. But if the guy was playing for a bigger market team, would it be a bigger market deal? Would more people care? Would there be a Sportscenter countdown?

Um, yes.

Corey Hart Switches Batting Stance, Hits Three Bombs

Corey Hart was feeling a little sucky during batting practice Monday, so he switched up his stance. The result? Three home runs and seven RBI.

The Milwaukee Brewers outfielder, back in the no. 2 spot, nailed his first three homers of the season for seven runs to tie both club records, helping his team beat the Washington Nationals 11-3 Monday night.

Hart smashed a pair of two-run bombs in the first and fifth innings off Nationals starter Tom Gorzelanny to reach his 100-home run career milestone before polishing off his eveving with a three-run shot off reliever Doug Slaten with two outs in the eighth.

The 29-year-old had a huge bat last season, hitting 21 home runs in the first half before making his second All-Star team, losing the home run derby, and signing a $26.5 million, three-year extension later on in the summer. This Spring has not been as awesome however, as he hurt his oblique and had to do a stint down in AAA with the Nashville Sounds.

Nationals Enjoy Record-Setting Rout of Orioles

Yay Interleague baseball! After being shut out twice in a row, the Washington Nationals enjoyed some batting practice Friday evening, right through their 17-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

In their team's biggest offensive show since the Expos moved to Washington in 2005, Danny Espinosa -- who entered the game with a terrible .194 batting average -- homered and drove in five runs. Jayson Werth smashed two longballs and four RBI, with Roger Bernadina, Wilson Ramos, and Laynce Nix also going yard during the 19-hit attack.

Jim Jam Mashes His First Tater of 2011

Jim Thome went yard Sunday afternoon during his team's 5-3 loss to the Oakland Athletics, crushing a two-run shot in the eighth inning off Jerry Blevins that cleared the 36-foot high batter's eye in straightaway center of Target Field.

The Minnesota Twins designated hitter has made a winner out of Rachel Erickson, who was randomly chosen from last Wednesday's online contest. Rachel, a fellow babe who loves baseball, will receive this sweet Mashin' Taters t-shirt courtesy of DiamondCentric Apparel.

Anyway, keep an eye on Jim Jam. Only ten more bombs until he joins the elite 600 Club!

[DiamondCentric]

Speaking of the Twins, check out Sooze and Marea's interview with Joe and Teresa Mauer. We love him a bazillion times more now that we've touched him.

Well Played Mauer

Joe Mauer is so amazing that he is donning the cover of MLB 11: The Show. Yes, it's Sexytime for a second consecutive season.

Also, he has nice hair.

Jose Bautista is About to Be Filthy Rich

Just a few days after opening their Spring Training camp in Dunedin, Florida, the Toronto Blue Jays have reached an agreement with Jose Bautista worth $65 million over five years.

The 30-year-old slugger, who was eligible for arbitration, led the majors with 54 home runs last season while batting .260 with 124 RBI.

Bautista's hearing was postponed Monday at the request of both parties with a Friday deadline to reach an agreement. While the hard-hitting outfielder/third baseman had asked for $10.5 million in arbitration, the Blue Jays were only willing to offer $7.6 million. Clearly, negotiations were in order.

Bautista started most of last season in right field, but played 45 games at third base, where is expected to play during the 2011 season... WHICH IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER! YAY!

[Ottawa Citizen]

Jose Bautista Launches No. 50, 51, 52

On a historic day for Ichiro Suzuki and the Seattle Mariners, Jose Bautista had to go and steal the thunder at the Rogers Centre, not to mention spoil an outstanding pitching performance by an American League Cy Young candidate.

That's just how he rolls.

The Toronto Blue Jays slugger crushed a 2-1 fastball over the left field wall off Mariners ace Felix Hernandez for his 50th home run of the season. This not only gave his team a 1-0 lead, but proved to be the only run of what turned out to be quite a pitcher's duel.

While King Feliz allowed just two hits and a run throughout his complete game, the Mariners couldn't manage to string anything together off Shawn Hill and four Toronto relievers.

Way to Go, Albert Pujols!

Albert Pujols crushed his 400th career home run Thursday night at Nationals Park.

The St. Louis Cardinals All-Star first baseman launched an 0-1 fastball from over the right-field wall in the fourth inning of his team's extra innings loss to one of the crappiest teams in baseball: the sad, beat-down Washington Nationals.

And then, he twisted his ankle in the 10th inning trying to climb a rolled-up tarp while reaching for a foul ball near the first base dugout. Not the dumbest way ever to get hurt, but close.

Pujols, batting .321 with 34 homers and 93 RBI on the season, became the 47th big leaguer to hit the 400 Club milestone in all, but also the third-youngest behind Alex Roidriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. Stopping to admire his work before being mobbed by teammates at home plate, Prince Albert had this to say:

It's a special milestone, but I don't play for numbers.

Whatever. Way to go, buddy!

[Yahoo! News] | [FanHouse] | [Viva El Birdos]

Jose Bautista is an Animal

Jose Bautista homered not once, but twice in his team's 3-2 win over the New York Yankees Monday night.

Count 'em: that's a big league-leading 40 bombs on the year for the Toronto Blue Jays slugger.

This game was pretty intense to begin with. In the sixth inning, both benches and bullpens cleared after Yankees rookie Ivan Nova, making his first ever big league start, fired a pitch just over the head of catcher Francisco Cervelli.

Canseco Goes Yard in Debut, Spaceman Returns

Before Monday night, the last time Jose Canseco had hit a home run was in a Chicago White Sox uniform on October 3, 2001 off Mike Mussina. The former Bash Brother ended his slump by going yard in his first at bat for the Laredo Broncos in their 16-8 win over the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings of the independent United Baseball League.

A-Rod Finally Hits 600

We've been oh so tired, recovering from all the interviews we did at the Twins and Pins Charity Bowling Classic last week, so forgive us for ignoring you, our dear readers.

In the past week, we've let the trade deadline come and go, injuries have happened, and the sports news world was all abuzz because Alex Rodriguez was sitting at 599 homeruns for what seemed like an eternity. Well now, maybe baseball writers will finally have something better to talk about because he finally hit number 600.

Going to Bat for Charity with State Farm

We're in the giving mood lately.

State Farm has teamed up once again with Major League Baseball to give people a chance to attend the 2010 World Series, while also making a difference for their favorite charity by "going to bat" for them!

It's super easy to do. Just visit www.statefarm.com/gotobat, play the online Home Run Derby game for the charity you'd like to "go to bat" for and once a week, for ten weeks. State Farm will then select a winner and their charity. The winner’s charity will receive a weekly donation ($100 for every home run hit that week in MLB) and the winner themselves will receive a trip for two the 2010 World Series.

Everybody wins!

[MLB.com] | [SF Go To Bat]

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Albert Pujols: Slow Down 10-Speed

Holy smokes, Albert Pujols.

Before drawing his major league-leading 40th intentional walk Tuesday night (making way for a Matt Holliday go-ahead longball) Pujols smashed his 42nd home run of the season in the St. Louis Cardinals' 7-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

The perennial All-Star first baseman is batting .320 on the season with 111 RBI and 104 runs scored. Is there anything he can't do?