Outside The Confines: 700 Club

Albert Pujols was already a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame, but after last week it seems like his legend will be cemented as one of baseball’s eternal greats. Now the name Pujols is one of four among a very, very small club: Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, and Babe Ruth. And now Albert Pujols.

In a season right out of a storybook, the aging star has rediscovered his joy of baseball, and with it has experienced an unprecedented final wind. Hitting his 700th home run in the waning days of the season was certainly the ideal conclusion to his farewell tour. There are very few ways a final season could have been more cinematic or emotionally satisfying.

And yes, I know, it’s been misery to cheer for anything about a Cardinals player, but here we are.

• Tom Verducci looks at how this home run marathon has put the cherry on a perfect farewell season.
• Pujols celebrated the milestone with another super-slugger, Adrian Beltre, writes Zach Koons.
• Fabian Ardaya looks at how Pujols rediscovered his joy for baseball on the path to 700. (The Athletic subscription required.)

And now onto the rest of today’s links.

• It looks like TLR won’t be coming back this season.

• It’s not just players who can get sidelined for bizarre injuries as Keith Hernandez is put on the IL for the rest of the season. Story by Kevin Harrish.
• Jason Beck looks at how former Cub Javier Báez is embracing the role of villain whenever he plays against the White Sox.
• Maybe a name change is good luck. The Cleveland Guardians have clinched a place in the postseason for the first time since 2018. (AP)
• Gerald Eskenazi shares a very special Rosh Hashana story about Ron Blomberg.
• You know things are getting wild when Yankees fans are cheering for the Red Sox.

• Davy Andrews assesses how Carlos Correa’s season has bounced back in the waning months of the year.
• It looks like Don Mattingly and the Marlins will be parting ways at the end of this season, shares Daniel Chavkin.
• This week the Rays will welcome the long-awaits return of ace Tyler Glasnow, just in time for a potential wild card game. (ESPN)
• What on earth...

• Jay Jaffe laments the loss of weird playoffs math.
• Matt Martell looks at the collective thrill of watching Aaron Judge reach for home run 62.
• Baseball fans in general aren’t the only ones watching, as Roger Maris’ family is also paying close attention to the milestone hunt, shares Bill Ladson.
• Ken Rosenthal believes that Pujols’ historic run should serve as a reminder to the Yankees of what they have to lose this offseason. (The Athletic subscription required.)
• Grant Brisbee brings up the Barry Bonds angle and how it is we define “the greatest season ever.” (The Athletic subscription required.)
• He was really committed to this being a home run.

And tomorrow will be a better day, Buster. Make it so.