⚾️ Pujols Consistency

You can find #Pujols700 on socal media and relive the 2022 MLB season with Albert Pujols.

I heard an interesting stat the other day. A commentator said that two of the four 700 homerun club hitters, Pujols and Hank Aaron, never hit 50+ dingers in a season.

Pujols - had as low as 17 in 2013 and 2021 and even 6 in 2021. He has averaged 31 homeruns per season (still in-season for 2022).

Aaron - 755 total HRs, with his lowest season total in his first year in 1954 with 13 and his last two seasons in 1975 and 1976 with 12 and 10, respectively. 

Consistency, as you can see, can garner you the stats that you want. 

Pujols' highest total in a season: 49.

Aaron's highest total in a season: 47.

I still like single season homerun record chases, but a consistent career of solid yard-burners takes the cake and sustained applause. 

Plus, you have to cheer for players who consistently turn out until the age of 40 and beyond. The feat gives hope, excites, and shows athletic prowess. 

So, you're not a baseball fan. You don't need to be one. Congratulate the success. Recognize the difficult feat. Ask yourself, why do the records of baseball athletes matter to me? 

For one, records have a potential to motivate. You may play another sport and feel compelled to achieve more results and to push more influence. For instance, during ice hockey practice as a youth, I pretended that I was racing against Carl Lewis, a former world record holder in the men's 100m dash because it made me skate faster and finish through the line despite major quad fatigue.

Second, records make you feel good. But, you have to get by any animosity you have toward a player because that thought process is horrendous anyway. Applaud a rival who sets a league record because you witnessed history. I remember when Sosa and McGuire battles through their homerun record-setting season in 1998. 

That homerun race brought me back to baseball. It was fun.

Pujols, even with small social media highlights as he chased 700 homeruns, has made some people smile...probably in Cubs Nation too. 

Congratulations!

Much success to you | Derek | @teemptraining | derekteempt@gmail.com