St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols added to his legend tonight hitting three homeruns in Game 3 of the World Series.
It is the first time there’s been a three homerun game in the Fall Classic since Reggie Jackson did it with the New York Yankees in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Mr. October hit his three homeruns off three different pitchers – Burt Hooton, Elias Sosa and Charlie Hough. Pujols also hit his three homeruns off three different pitchers – Alexei Ogando, Mike Gonzalez and Darren Oliver.
Of course, the first player to hit three homeruns in a World Series game was none other than Babe Ruth and he did it twice, first in Game 4 of the 1926 World Series and in Game 4 of the 1928 World Series. Interestingly, Ruth did it on both occasions against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Pujols entered tonight’s game 0 for 6. Tonight, he went 5 for 6 with three homeruns and six RBI en route to a 16-7 drubbing of the Rangers. The Cardinals now take a 2-1 lead in the best of seven series.
Postscript: I should mention that I was on the phone with my Dad for a good chunk of the game. He called Pujols first two homeruns. So what about the third homerun? Dad went to bed after the seventh inning.