Tony La Russa will love watching Albert Pujols’ 698th home run.
There were many times many years ago, Pujols recalled at his clubhouse locker late Friday night, when his former Cardinals manager would get on his case about letting a ripe first pitch hit the catcher’s mitt without Pujols attempting to punish it with his iconic right-handed swing.
“He was always mad at me because I took a lot of first pitches,” Pujols said. “I still take a lot of first pitches. I feel like I’m a better hitter with two strikes. I go up there and if it’s not the pitch I’m looking for, I take it.