The Los Angeles Dodgers had nothing go right for them against the St. Louis Cardinals in an 11-0 loss, but none of that mattered all that much as the story of the day was Albert Pujols making MLB history.
Pujols entered the game with 698 home runs, just two away from becoming the fourth player in history to join the 700 club. In the third inning, Pujols moved closer with a two-run home run off Andrew Heaney.
The following inning, Phil Bickford was brought in to face Pujols, but that didn’t stop the future Hall of Famer. He blasted his second home run of the game to reach the historic milestone.
“At first I was upset that I gave up a home run,” Bickford said. “And then when the crowd reacted and seeing all the smiles, it was a very special moment for MLB. And Albert Pujols is also one of the most amazing people I have ever met. After I got over the being upset again at the home run, towards the very end of it, it was obviously a very special moment.”
While the accomplishment will always be focused on Pujols, Bickford is now one of just four pitchers in MLB history to give up a 700th home run to a batter, joining Tommy Bridges, Ken Brett and Jake Peavy.
“I’m not really thinking about it that way,” Bickford said. “I’m more just happy for Albert doing his accomplishment. I mean it speaks for itself, I really can’t put it into words.”
Bickford added he’s “just going to wait for the moment,” when he can talk to Pujols about the home run.
“I’m sure it’s going to involve a lot of smiles from his side, and I’ll just feed of the energy of what he accomplished. It’s an absolutely incredible accomplishment, and yeah, you have to respect him.”
Phil Bickford praised Albert Pujols as a teammate
Pujols and Bickford both spent part of the 2021 season with the Dodgers, during which the 11-time All-Star made himself well-loved in the clubhouse.
“He’s the nicest guy ever,” Bickford said. “He’s a big old teddy bear, he’s someone that you just have nothing but great things to say about, he’s a very kind person. And anybody that meets him I’m sure would say the exact same thing.”
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