Albert Pujols ends his worst homerun drought
Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Image: Marianne O'Leary.
Dominican baseball player Albert Pujols earned his first home run after joining the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Besides hitting his 446th Major League home run, Pujols ended a personal drought by claiming his first regular-season long ball after 33 games and 139 plate appearances, including his last St. Louis Cardinals at-bats. Pujols snapped back at Anaheim and capped a 4-3 home-team win against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Angel Stadium of Anaheim.
The Dominican first baseman now has a career 1,336 runs batted in and a .326 batting average. Previously, Pujols had played for St. Louis for 11 seasons.
Since playing for the Angels, Pujols has been booed by Anaheim fans after his hits slipped to a .194 average over the past month. Pujols came to his new team with high expectations after signing a contract worth US$240 million.
For his part, Pujols offered the following explanation for his performance: "This game is about making adjustments and being patient..."
Sources
- Tom Verducci. "Slumping Pujols most stunning development in strange season" — Sports Illustrated, May 8, 2012
- Mark Saxon. "Albert Pujols hits first HR as Angel" — ESPN, May 6, 2012
- Associated Press. "Alberts Pujols connects for 1st homer as Angel in win over Jays" — ESPN, May 6, 2012