Albert Pujols is already a sure thing, first ballot Hall of Famer. He’s getting pretty close to one acquiring one more gem for his infinity gauntlet, however: the 3,000 hit club.
Pujols hit a double and a solo home run in a 2-for-4 night last night as the Angels beat the Orioles 10-7. Those hits were 2,997 and 2,998 of his career. The Angels face Baltimore and O’s starter Chris Tillman again tonight at home and then head on the road to Seattle this weekend for three games followed by two in Colorado before an 11-game homestand. Obviously Pujols would prefer to reach the milestone in Anaheim. He’s had nine multi-hit games in 29 games played this year, so there’s a fighting chance that he gets that done.
Once Pujols knocks in hit number 3,000 he’ll be member number 32 of the club. He’ll be the second to join the club in an Angels jersey, following Rod Carew.