Albert Pujols hits 697th home run, as Cardinals defeat Pirates

Photo Courtesy of: USA Today

Albert Pujols is an absolute legend. With his 22 season, story book career coming to an end at the rest of the season, Pujols is still giving fans something to talk about.

On Sunday, Pujols hit his 697th career home run, and took sole possession of fourth place on the all-time home run list. With this home run, Pujols passed Alex Rodriguez, who he was tied with prior to the game.

Pujols' moment came in the ninth inning. With the Pirates leading the Cardinals, 2-1, and one Cardinal in scoring position, Pujols stepped up to the plate. Pujols, who went 0-3 before this at bat, would do something special. With an 2-0 count,Chase De Jong threw Pujols a fastball.

Pujols put a swing on it, and he did not miss, as the ball sailed over 355 feet over the right-center-field wall. With that home run, Pujols gave the Cardinals a 3-2 lead, and pulled within three home runs of 700.

Only three ballplayers in the history of baseball have slugged 700 or more home runs in their career. On the all-time home run list Pujols trails: Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), and Babe Ruth (714). With less than a month left in the MLB regular season, Pujols can slug his 700th home run.

Pujols' success this season has been his ability to crush left-handed pitchers. As he hit 12 of his first 16 home runs this season off lefties. With the end coming near, all eyes will be on Pujols as he chases 700.

While it is uncertain how many career home runs Pujols will end with, no matter the outcome Pujols is ready to hand up his cleats.

"I'm still going to retire, no matter whether I end up hitting 693,696,700, whatever," Pujols said. "I don't get caught up in numbers. If you were going to tell me 22 years ago that I would be this close, I would have told you that you're freakin' crazy. My career has been amazing."