In the last few hours, the MLB universe (fans, analysts, and others) started speculating about the possibility of St. Louis Cardinals veteran Albert Pujols participating in the Home Run Derby in Los Angeles on Monday.
He was invited to the All-Star Game on Tuesday by Commissioner Rob Manfred.
The player himself confirmed the news: he will be back for one last dance.
“The rumors are true. I’m back for one more Home Run Derby. See you in Hollywood!,” he tweeted.
The rumors are true. I’m back for one more Home Run Derby. See you in Hollywood! pic.twitter.com/H97IEIXAJ5
— Albert Pujols (@PujolsFive) July 12, 2022
He included a cool video of him participating in Home Run Derbies in the past, where he left incredible memories for his fans.
In the video, he is also seen hitting some milestone home runs.
One Last Dance For Pujols In The Derby
Some people on Twitter have criticized Pujols’ presence, both in the game and in the Derby.
But they forget that both activities are supposed to be an exhibition, and who doesn’t want to watch a true legend that has hit almost 700 homers in his career do it for one last time?
It’s batting practice, too: he won’t be hitting 100-mph fastballs, either.
Even at 42, Pujols still has some incredible raw power.
He is still capable of hitting a ball at 100+ mph.
Why wouldn’t anyone want to see one of the best right-handed hitters in the history of the game taking a few harmless (yet still competitive) hacks for a few rounds?
In fact, he could whiff all night and nobody is going to boo him.
He may even surprise a few people.
Where he may give away some competitive advantage, however, is in stamina: he may not make it to the final rounds because the Derby takes a surprising amount of energy.
But Pujols, even if he has only five homers this year, still has the potential to belong in a Home Run Derby.
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