LOS ANGELES — When Albert Pujols stepped to the batter's box in the first round of the Home Run Derby on Monday and in his only at-bat in the All-Star Game on Tuesday, he did so under the backdrop of a standing ovation from the Dodger Stadium crowd.
The fans were paying tribute to Pujols' greatness. The designated hitter and first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals has 685 home runs, 3,333 hits, 1,889 runs scored and 2,170 RBIs in a career that will end after this season. The 42-year-old — the 2001 National League rookie of the year, 11-time All-Star, three-time MVP, six-time Silver Slugger winner, two-time Gold Glove Award winner and two-time World Series champion — is a lock for the Hall of Fame.
It's been a career that Pujols said he's been blessed to have. For many in baseball, he's meant so much more than his numbers.
