At the pace he's currently on, Albert is set to join the ranks of baseball greats on the single-season home run list. No syringe required.
I didn't want to bring this up. In this era of baseball, with this crop of players, I didn't think I had to. But, after Albert's two-home run game last night, I feel I must.
What if Albert hits 60 home runs?
Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, Maris, Ruth... Pujols?
Since 2002, only two players have come remotely close to the invisible fence that is the 60 home run plateau. One of those players, Alex Rodriguez, has been accused of juicing as late as the 2003 season, making his 57-bomb season in 2002 susceptible to lumping in with the rest of the "Steroid Era". As it is, three steroid-suspected hitters and Maris have been able to surpass the famed 60 home run mark, all hitters who, let's face it, played in a different era of baseball than today.
In 2006, Ryan Howard hit 58 bombs, making it the highest National League total for a hitter with no known connections to steroids. That season was ridiculous for Howard, going deep 58 times with 149 RBIs and a 167 OPS+. Aside from Howard, you have Luis Gonzalez on the big home run board in the sky with 57 in 2001, but even his numbers don't come without their critics. The next highest National Leaguer? Hack Wilson, 56, 1930. And now we have Albert.
Albert Pujols is on pace to hit 60 home runs, 157 RBIs, 184 hits, and walk 127 times. His OPS+ is 214. 214. No one even comes close to that. The highest any recent hitter has been able to get to the 200-level of OPS+ is Barry Bonds.
What happens if Albert Pujols gets close to the magical numbers 60 and 61? The numbers carry so much of a mystique around them still that it feels like they're alive. Albert not only has a chance to have the greatest season of his distinguished career, but he also has a chance to press the reset button on a era that leaves us feeling a little cheap, like Alex Rodriguez's girlfriends.
Can you imagine? Albert approaching 60, fans wearing those shirts that count down the home run locations, cardboard signs tallying up the total, the commercialization? It'll be a tough task to pull off, but it's yet another developing storyline in what has been a phenomenal season for The Mang.
I just hope Albert keeps on his game. We all saw what he's like when he's actively trying to hit home runs - straining, uncomfortable, forced. And then there's days like last night, when he looks completely at ease and able to do what he does best - help his team win.
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