Pujols had not yet taken the field for what would be this historic evening. He had not even taken batting practice. So maybe it would not be accurate to label it a congratulatory call, but why the heck not?
Erick Aybar, the Angels' old shortstop, the guy who used to sit next to Pujols in the clubhouse, was on the phone. The 3,000th hit would come sooner or later for Pujols, and Aybar was calling with a wish of good luck.
But, alas, not a milestone night. With a double in the second inning, Pujols got to 2,999 hits.