St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols has become the 47th member of MLB’s 400 home run club, doing it faster than all but two of them.
In contrast to the highly-visible watch for Alex Rodriguez’ 600th career home run, with cut-ins on national sports networks to every plate appearance, Albert Pujols’ quest for number 400 received substantially less attention.
While A-Rod went homerless for a dozen games between numbers 599 and 600 before reaching his milestone on August 4, Pujols removed his suspense more quickly. After hitting 399 on August 23 in Cardinals game 122, he went just three games before striking his 400th. The opposite field shot occurred on the second pitch of Thursday’s fourth inning against Jordan Zimmermann of the Washington Nationals.
In the process, Pujols became the 47th member of Major League Baseball’s 400 home run club. He is the eighth among currently active players.
There are many parallels between the two future Hall of Famers, Pujols and Rodriguez, born 4 1/2 years apart.
One point which now brings them together is being among the three youngest players in history to reach 400 home runs, along with recently-retired Ken Griffey Jr. A-Rod is the only one to have accomplished the feat while still in his 20’s. At 30 years, 222 days, Pujols joined the list at number three. (Note that it took A-Rod slightly more than five years to move from 400 to 600.)
Thanks to researcher Tom Orf, we offer the list of all 400 home run players below, listed from youngest to oldest when achieving the feat. The far right column shows year-day age of each player on their 400th home run date.
MLB 400 home run club, ordered by age when reached
| Career rank | HRs | First | Last | 400th | Born | 400 age | |
| 7 | Alex Rodriguez | 604 | 1994 | 2010* | 6/8/2005 | 7/27/1975 | 29-316 |
| 5 | Ken Griffey | 630 | 1989 | 2010 | 4/10/2000 | 11/21/1969 | 30-150 |
| 47 | Albert Pujols | 400 | 2001 | 2010* | 8/26/2010 | 1/16/1980 | 30-222 |
| 38 | Juan Gonzalez | 434 | 1989 | 2005 | 6/5/2002 | 10/20/1969 | 30-228 |
| 17 | Jimmie Foxx | 534 | 1925 | 1945 | 6/7/1938 | 10/22/1907 | 30-229 |
| 16 | Mickey Mantle | 536 | 1951 | 1968 | 9/10/1962 | 10/20/1931 | 30-325 |
| 2 | Hank Aaron | 755 | 1954 | 1976 | 4/20/1966 | 2/5/1934 | 32-54 |
| 4 | Willie Mays | 660 | 1951 | 1973 | 8/27/1963 | 5/6/1931 | 32-113 |
| 6 | Sammy Sosa | 609 | 1989 | 2007 | 5/16/2001 | 11/12/1968 | 32-185 |
| 22 | Eddie Mathews | 512 | 1952 | 1968 | 4/16/1963 | 10/13/1931 | 32-185 |
| 3 | Babe Ruth | 714 | 1914 | 1935 | 9/2/1927 | 2/6/1895 | 32-208 |
| 14 | Manny Ramirez | 554 | 1993 | 2010* | 5/15/2005 | 5/30/1972 | 32-350 |
| 11 | Harmon Killebrew | 573 | 1954 | 1975 | 4/27/1969 | 6/29/1936 | 32-63 |
| 46 | Andruw Jones | 405 | 1996 | 2010* | 7/11/2010 | 4/23/1977 | 32-79 |
| 23 | Mel Ott | 511 | 1926 | 1947 | 6/1/1941 | 3/2/1909 | 32-81 |
| 8 | Frank Robinson | 586 | 1956 | 1976 | 9/9/1967 | 8/31/1935 | 32-9 |
| 27 | Lou Gehrig | 493 | 1923 | 1939 | 7/10/1936 | 6/19/1903 | 33-21 |
| 10 | Jim Thome | 581 | 1991 | 2010* | 6/14/2004 | 8/27/1970 | 33-74 |
| 1 | Barry Bonds | 762 | 1986 | 2007 | 8/23/1998 | 7/24/1964 | 34-30 |
| 40 | Vladimir Guerrero | 429 | 1996 | 2010* | 8/10/2009 | 2/9/1975 | 34-182 |
| 21 | Ernie Banks | 512 | 1953 | 1971 | 9/2/1965 | 1/31/1931 | 34-214 |
| 9 | Mark McGwire | 583 | 1986 | 2001 | 5/8/1998 | 10/1/1963 | 34-219 |
| 15 | Mike Schmidt | 548 | 1972 | 1989 | 5/15/1984 | 9/27/1949 | 34-230 |
| 32 | Jose Canseco | 462 | 1985 | 2001 | 4/14/1999 | 7/2/1964 | 34-286 |
| 30 | Carlos Delgado | 473 | 1993 | 2009 | 8/22/2006 | 6/25/1972 | 34-58 |
| 13 | Reggie Jackson | 563 | 1967 | 1987 | 8/11/1980 | 5/18/1946 | 34-85 |
| 19 | Willie McCovey | 521 | 1959 | 1980 | 7/15/1973 | 1/10/1938 | 35-186 |
| 24 | Gary Sheffield | 509 | 1988 | 2009 | 7/27/2004 | 11/18/1968 | 35-251 |
| 12 | Rafael Palmeiro | 569 | 1986 | 2005 | 9/23/2000 | 9/24/1964 | 35-364 |
| 34 | Jeff Bagwell | 449 | 1991 | 2005 | 7/20/2003 | 5/27/1968 | 35-54 |
| 18 | Frank Thomas | 521 | 1990 | 2008 | 7/25/2003 | 5/27/1968 | 35-59 |
| 35 | Dave Kingman | 442 | 1971 | 1986 | 8/10/1985 | 12/21/1948 | 36-232 |
| 26 | Fred McGriff | 493 | 1986 | 2004 | 6/2/2000 | 10/31/1963 | 36-244 |
| 45 | Duke Snider | 407 | 1947 | 1964 | 6/14/1963 | 9/19/1926 | 36-268 |
| 42 | Billy Williams | 426 | 1959 | 1976 | 6/12/1975 | 6/15/1938 | 36-362 |
| 37 | Chipper Jones | 436 | 1993 | 2010* | 6/5/2008 | 4/24/1972 | 36-42 |
| 25 | Eddie Murray | 504 | 1977 | 1997 | 5/3/1992 | 2/24/1956 | 36-68 |
| 28 | Willie Stargell | 475 | 1962 | 1982 | 6/29/1977 | 3/6/1940 | 37-115 |
| 41 | Mike Piazza | 427 | 1992 | 2007 | 4/26/2006 | 9/4/1968 | 37-234 |
| 20 | Ted Williams | 521 | 1939 | 1960 | 7/17/1956 | 8/30/1918 | 37-321 |
| 44 | Jason Giambi | 412 | 1995 | 2010* | 5/23/2009 | 1/8/1971 | 38-135 |
| 29 | Stan Musial | 475 | 1941 | 1963 | 5/7/1959 | 11/21/1920 | 38-167 |
| 36 | Andre Dawson | 438 | 1976 | 1996 | 4/15/1993 | 7/10/1954 | 38-279 |
| 33 | Carl Yastrzemski | 452 | 1961 | 1983 | 7/24/1979 | 8/22/1939 | 39-336 |
| 31 | Dave Winfield | 465 | 1973 | 1995 | 8/14/1991 | 10/3/1951 | 39-50 |
| 39 | Cal Ripken | 431 | 1981 | 2001 | 9/2/1999 | 8/24/1960 | 39-9 |
| 43 | Darrell Evans | 414 | 1969 | 1989 | 9/20/1988 | 5/26/1947 | 41-117 |
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Albert is sublime.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_75ec5a21-1978-5ba0-a71b-d99c6109ad8e.html
Solid judgment here by Tony??????????……………. Not a good sign for Albert……….he is a target here.
Nothing like a little distraction in the middle of a pennant race.
What are Tony and Albert thinking? I don’t care what he was told, anything that involves Glenn Beck is political. This is just great .
I know that you want it, Westie, so I’ll toss this up to you:
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_75ec5a21-1978-5ba0-a71b-d99c6109ad8e.html
from the comments section of the article that both Westy and Nutlaw have linked:
“cardschamps” said on: August 27, 2010, 11:40 am
Why would TLR or AP have to answer to anyone about what they do in their off time…unless it involved some type of illegal activity? They’re both Americans and are free to go to any rally they choose. Fans pay money to watch AP play and TLR overmanage. I admire AP’s baseball ability. What he believes in off the field doesn’t interest or affect me at all. Do you honestly believe someone who is opposed to Glenn Beck’s ideals will suddenly convert because AP and TLR attend this function?
“Latinist” said on: August 27, 2010, 11:13 am
Albert is having a better year than the president..the Cardinals may tank but Albert will still be the hero of the Cardinal nation .. Will anyone be able to understand what the ….TLR is saying..he speaks mumbling jibberish. . Babe Ruth once made a famous political statment when asked why he was getting payed more than President Coolidge; his reply, I should get paid more. I’m having a better year than the president. Doesn’t Albert bat from the “right side’of the plate…
“Never_Again” said on: August 27, 2010, 10:32 am
Wow. A lot of people want to give Tiger a free pass about banging a couple of dozen chicks while his wife was home pregnant since that has nothing to do with his golfing, but you go to a rally, and your a bad guy. Just can’t understand the logic
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_75ec5a21-1978-5ba0-a71b-d99c6109ad8e.html?mode=comments
from the comments section of “Pujols twists ankle; Holliday leaves game”, by Joe Strauss:
“Dr. Roberts” said on: August 27, 2010, 8:31 am
The chowderheads in the booth claim that La Genius started Flip over BR for offensive reasons even though since July 24th Ryan has turned his season around offensively while Flip has stunk up the place both defensively as well as at the plate. If La Genius is too frickin’ paranoid to use his backup catcher as a pinch hitter with the game on the line, and sends a pitcher up to hit instead,Stavinoha MUST be on the major league roster.
“dch60″ said on: August 27, 2010, 8:30 am
One question, why did Craig stay in the game, when we could have sent Skip to the outfield and Miles at second. Another La Genius move. Oh well, Tony was thinking about his rally with the Beck, Palin crew.
“imbrucy” said on: August 27, 2010, 8:08 am
Brian, relating to the walk in the ninth, with less than 2 outs and first base empty it could be Babe Ruth batting behind Albert and they are still going to walk him. The rest of the walks were Tony’s fault. You think he would have learned in the Mets 20-inning nightmare to not double switch your pitcher’s spot into the 4 hole behind AP. All that does is guarantee they are going to walk him everytime the rest of the game. We need AP swinging because he is our best chance to win the game.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_a873cdc2-b1ca-11df-84ec-00127992bc8b.html?mode=comments
I know exactly whats going on there Nut. It is a complex read. The truth is in how well you understand club house protocol and what “We were approached means”.
57…………stop quoting from other groups……….stop!
We all have the freedom to speak and choose who we associate with. That is the bedrock of our society. But with that freedom comes consequences. It is the potential consequences that are disturbing.
“57…………stop quoting from other groups……….stop!”
The content of The Cardinal Nation blog and all that may interest Cardinal fans shall be determined by WestCoastbirdWatcher. Furthermore, the comments sections of all articles pertinent to the Cardinals have been deemed to be “groups” by the aforementioned authority who speaks on behalf of all the contributors to this blog. Your ideas and contributions are welcome, as long as they are deemed appropriate and germane by the watchdog who has apparently been appointed by Brian (and approved by all of you) to police this blog.
I have not approved any “watchdog” 57. Westie’s views are his own.
Lineup: Craig RF, Jay CF, Pujols 1B, Holliday LF, Lopez 2B, Feliz 3B, Anderson C, Ryan SS, Garcia P I am surprised Albert is playing. I hope he doesn’t make the ankle worse. And why is Anderson catching Garcia?
Craig leadoff? Hope STL media (Brian
) ask TLR hard questions about that one.
“Craig leadoff?”
Pure genius! The “in-your-face” move is made by the winner who gave key players a day off on Joe Torre’s birthday and who rested key players after he had conceded a game…
Talk about shock and outrage, check out the comments section of the article (“group”); “Game Update: Pujols, Holliday in lineup; Molina out”:
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_ff11ae30-b213-11df-84af-00127992bc8b.html?mode=comments
Molina is injured? Well isn’t that just dandy.
CC, re #13, I posted a short list of news items on the main site premium message board, including info about Craig leadoff and Yadi’s injury.
How do I find that Brian?
If you are a subscriber, here is the link.
I wasn’t a subscriber but I am now. I am happy to hear Yadi’s injury is not serious. I am worried that Albert isn’t as fine as he is letting on. If he makes the ankle worse, the team is in more trouble than it already is.
This series is going to be a disaster. Craig has no business being leadoff, Lopez is awful and even though I am sure Anderson is a fine AAA player, he is no Molina. Watching video on the day of the game? Yeah, that will really help. Grrrrrrr.
Brian: Tony’s stated reasons for batting Craig at leadoff sound rather lame… He’s evidently got a low opinion of his own team! It doesn’t require the genius of a rocket scientist to know that Randy Winn, among others, would certainly be a better leadoff than Craig…
And I know Molina’s injury is not Tony’s fault, but his lineup will just make a bad situation worse. Why is Stavinoha still in AAA?
Thank you for your support, crdswmn! There are a lot of articles on the main site you can now read with your subscription.
I know I am beating a dead horse but why not Jay in leadoff and Brendan 2nd? Or vice versa? Olsen is a lefty which is probably why Skip isn’t in there, and Randy Winn bats better from the left side (although he got hits batting right last night). If we have to have Lopez, put him 8th. My $.02.
57, Winn’s line against lefties is .125/.167/.150 — and that’s after getting a hit last night. Craig may be bad but against lefties he’s been a lot better than Winn.
Now, why Tony would want to get Craig more ab’s by batting him leadoff is beyond me.
I don’t care what ballplayers and coaches think about social/political issues. I applaud them for thinking about such things at all.
Why not Craig leading off? Nobody else has kicked butt there. Truthfully, I doubt the game will turn on who is leading off.
With the GCL season ending, where is Cox going to go? He was not on the list of promotions to Johnson City. I saw he got some hits in his debut.
Thanks, Carioca… “More AB’s” is a lame reason for batting him lead-off. Surely, we have others who are more capable at getting on base…
Ha. Didn’t realize that WC had already posted the same article. Sorry. It did make me think of you, though, WC.
Ryan has not been hitting well. Since we have been losing, TLR is trying to change the dynamic. Craig is more of a threat with a bat in his hands, so give him maximum looks at Olsen. If we knock out Olsen, he can bring in Winn at the top of the lineup. If we cant knock out Olsen, it may not matter where anybody is in the order.
Ryan has been hitting very well since the ASB. Much better than Craig.
Actually, that’s a very good point about subbing him out with Winn, Jumbo. I like it. I mean, I’d rather see Jay or Lopez lead off and Craig second if you absolutely need a .250 OBP hitter at the top of the lineup, but that makes sense.
Why not play Miles at 2b? Lopez is a wasted AB.
Wacko Buzzo spouting off on twitter about TLR/Pujols. http://twitter.com/buzzbissinger
I’m thinking 3 Nights in August isn’t going to get made anytime soon.
Perhaps Allen won’t go down swingin’ in his next AB… It’s just good, in the midst of a pennant race, to give guys Spring Training practice, hey?
What in Hell has gotten into King Albert, turn him into such a powerful stud? Damn!
I sure hope that Matt’s sub .300 time will be short…
There is too much pressure for Jaime to repeat his last start. It isn’t going to happen. I just hope he doesn’t get knocked out early.
With our team slump, Albert’s number 401 is just as meaningful and vital as his number 400 was…
“Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Night” – a great way for a great pitcher to start an outing!
An 11 pitch inning is a great way for Jaime to start the game!
Way to go, B-Teamer! Anderson is now batting .385!
ANOTHER “Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Night”!
Jaime has definitely become a strikeout artist!
Garcia gave Olsen a helluva 7 pitch AB! He deserved that throwing error! Ha! Ha!
Olsen is so rattled that he walked Craig on 5 pitches!
All RIGHT! The small baller Jon came through!
No one GIDP more than the NL’s Home Run King! Go figure…
Nationals look like the’ve never seen a baseball before.
My lady says, “He’s SAFE! It doesn’t matter that he should have been out! We got a run and he’s safe on first!” She knows whereof she speaks and I don’t argue…
Masterfully done, Jaime! Masterfully done!
What in Hell happened to Jaime’s control!
Whew! No harm done!
That was the second bases loaded jam Jaime pitched out of. He isn’t going to do it the 3rd time. The Cards better tack on some more runs for Jaime.
Right on, Pedro!
Right on, B-Teamer! Ya took one for the team!
At least Brendan knocked Pedro over to third with that opposite fielder…
Why can’t these guys bunt?
The last time the Cards faced a lefty, IIRC, it was Zito and Craig popped a 2 run homer. This is why he is up in the leadoff slot, to give him max looks at Olsen.
Our rookie strikeout artist needed that 10 pitch inning…
I sweat every inning that Jaime pitches.
It ain’t the prettiest shut-out, but Jaime’s got a shut-out goin’ nevertheless!
Methinks Felipe is thoroughly burned-out…
We’ve got to get Colby back.
This will be Jaime’s last inning… Let us hope that he induces one final DP and go out, having pitched 6 shut-out innings…
Mitch cannot be leaky this time, damn it!
Not a quality start, but a shutout nonetheless.
Whew! We know, at least, that Jaime won’t get an “L”. We need now to add some more runs…
Aaron does it AGAIN!
I’m telling you, the Cards are going to blow this. I hate being so negative, but last night was the last straw for me.
I couldn’t agree more Crdswmn. I have lost interest in the boys because they always get my hopes up and then let me down.
Yadi would have nailed Zimmerman.
The Reds beat the Flubs 7 to 1… In order to remain 4 games out, we simply MUST win this game!
Albert wasn’t running so good to first. Ankle hurts quite a bit looks like.
Every bit helps, Matt! Right on!
Hot Damn just what we needed!
Thanks for the visual, blingboy… I’ve been very concerned about his ankle and about Matt’s hand…
He was due.
Hand seems pretty good. Just a guess.
Announcers mentioned that Anderson deserves some credit for calling a good game, especially with the rookie pitcher.
Thank god for the pickoff.
That’s your boy giving up yet another gopher ball isn’t it 57? -Just trying to keep up with Frankie I guess
Score more runs. I don’t trust Ryan Franklin.
My, how Kyle has become quite a leaker! Thank God, he didn’t allow more than just a harmless run…
Our entire bullpen has become rather leaky…
I’m praying hard right now.
When did Franky trim up his beard?
It’s time for Jaime’s effort to be crowned with his 12th “W”….
If we blow this one, we shall not only sink to 5 games back, but we shall also be seriously considering ourselves to be fading…
Talk about leakers…
I noticed that Cueto got the win for the Reds.
That ball in the dirt went right between Anderson’s legs. Been a while since we’ve seen that happen behind the plate.
They are just teeing off on Franklin.
Why would there not be anyone warming up? There isn’t.
Yadier ALWAYS has that glove down between the legs!
If he walks Bernardino, Pudge so happens to be a fairly good clutchman…
Still no activity in bullpen.
First one right down broadway to Pudge.
If he gives up a single, there won’t be any need for anyone in the bullpen…
Whew!
The team got lucky. Nats bad defense and wasted opportunities.
OK, everybody can exhale now. Nice win. Where will Tony put Craig tomorrow?
The Reds are going to sweep the Flubs. You can take that one to the bank.
Our ragged hope is hanging by a thread… We simply cannot lose anymore on this road trip – not a single game!
The Nats played one of the more ragged and inefficient games you will see. Like crdswmn says, we got lucky. Certainly didn’t beat the stuffing out of them.
No, it was not a very pretty and tidy win… We need to come back tomorrow with a good outing by Lohse and more runs than 4…
Come on 57. Reds could lose 4, we could win 4. Wouldn’t take a miracle.
The heroes tonight were Jaime and our boppers…
Ah, yes… “Make a wish; it might come true”
If the Reds lose 4, we damned well BETTER win 4… If the Reds win 4, we damned well BETTER win 4… Any way you slice it, blingboy, “We simply cannot lose anymore on this road trip – not a single game!”
Watching the highlight clips, Albert is moving around OK at first, and showed him jogging toward the dugout, looked OK. No full speed running, but he can move around.
I hope that the injury continues thus to heal, with him playing through it… It was really good to see both of our boppers get homers tonight, after the pain last night. It helps to fan the flames of what little hope is remaining…
Jimenez is working on his 18th win.
Dodgers tie it in the 8th, Ubaldo comes out, no win for him. What a shame.
The Giants are losing to the Dbacks 4-0. Timmy is having another bad day.