Don’t tell fans, but some on club like Pujols
PHOENIX — Though he has inflicted incessant damage on the organization throughout his 18year career, Albert Pujols’ 3,000th hit drew praise from the Astros who have watched the Los Angeles Angels slugger from afar and, even, idolized him.
“He was one of my favorite players growing up and I watched him a lot playing when I was younger, when I was a kid,” shortstop Carlos Correa said. “He’s just a special talent that comes once every, I don’t know how many years. He’s just so special … 3,000 (hits) is a great feat that not many people get to accomplish.”
Pujols’ 3,000th hit Friday night against the Seattle Mariners made him the fourth man in major league history to reach the milestone while also hitting 600 home runs — joining Alex Rodriguez, Hank Aaron and Willie Mays.
A nuisance to the Astros in the National League Central and, now, the American League West, Pujols has more hits (282) and home runs (58) against them than any other franchise.
He has built a rapport with Correa and Jose Altuve since joining the Angels, often conversing and joking with the middle infielders on the bases.
“He’s a great player but he’s a great guy on and off the field, too,” Altuve said. “Every time I talk to him, he’s interested in helping me. That’s something that you really appreciate for a player like him, (a) future Hall of Famer, three-time MVP, 600 homers, 3,000 hits. I’m really happy and I wish he can get many more hits and more homers.”
Altuve entered Saturday’s 4-3 loss to the Diamondbacks with 1,295 hits, and on pace to average 206 this season. Should he reach 200 hits, it would be Altuve’s fifth straight season to accrue that many. And, to join the 3,000-hit club, Altuve would need at least seven more seasons with at least 200 hits.
“When you look at projecting out the great hitters that would play today, how long it would take them to get to 3,000 hits, you start to realize how rare it is,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “It’s remarkable to see someone stand the test of time performance-wise, evolve as a hitter and handle the scrutiny that comes with the decline stage of your career while still maintaining middle of the order-type presence.”
Giving back goes hand in glove
It was a “life-changing” experience.
When he was 5, 6 or 7 years old — the age escapes him now so many years removed — Jose Altuve received his first baseball glove in Venezuela, a free piece of equipment he or his family would otherwise be unable to afford.
“It means a lot,” Altuve said, “and if, now, I’m able to help people it feels really good.”
Saturday, he did, joining Diamondbacks outfielder and fellow Venezuelan David Peralta at a youth baseball clinic in Phoenix where equipment donations were accepted for their native country, which is enduring severe food and medicine shortages amid an economic crisis.
“Everything I can do to help my country or help anybody, I’m really happy to do it,” Altuve said. “Believe it or not, it’s really hard to get a glove, to get a bat when your parents can’t afford it. In order for us to collect that equipment and send it there, it’s going to be a good cause.”
Altuve returns to Venezuela each offseason to see his family, he said, and hopes the donations sent — the Diamondbacks and Peralta pledged 40 gloves and caps — serve the same purpose his did so many years ago.
“He never will forget how hard it was for him to get here, never takes anything for granted whether that’s showing up to the ballpark every day or how many hits he’s going to get or his health,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He’s someone that I greatly respect how he goes about it and to see him give back and become a bit more visible in the communities we go to is a real growth for him.”