Albert Pujols bests Kyle Schwarber in stunning MLB Home Run Derby upset
In an absolutely stunning turn of events befitting the Hollywood locale, St. Louis Cardinals legend Albert Pujols triumphed over Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber in Round 1 of the 2022 Home Run Derby.
In the words of Bill Hader’s iconic SNL character Stefon, the first round had everything. An aging star out for one last hurrah, the National League home runs leader, standing ovations, emotional soundbites, and a dramatic tiebreaker round that resulted in a shocking upset.
Pujols got off to a slow start, but finished with 13 home runs, and looked pretty tired as he waded through a sea of adoring players, many of whom are young enough that they grew up idolizing him. He probably thought he was done.
Then Schwarber took his turn and matched Pujols. 13 home runs. No more, no less.
Time for a swing-off.
So, the Home Run Derby’s oldest participant in history got to his feet and approached home plate once more. The look on his face was a mixture of amusement and surprise that he was still in it.
And then, fans witnessed the kind of magic that only this game can bring, one of those impossible moments made possible, the kind that makes Brad Pitt ask, “How can you not be romantic about baseball?”
Pujols started swinging. And he homered again, and again, and again. For a moment, he was the Pujols of our youth once more. It was as if his younger self had stepped out of a DeLorean and taken his elder self’s place at the plate. Final tally: 20 home runs.
Schwarber only needed seven to tie, or eight to win, but he couldn’t manage either. Final score: 20-19.
Like Ted Williams hitting a home run in his final at-bat, Pujols had one last great moment left in the tank.
You can’t script it any better than that.
Hats off to you, @PujolsFive. pic.twitter.com/qh3dDKQKqM
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 19, 2022