Twenty-three-year-old Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto may have walked away with the trophy and coveted necklace in Monday’s MLB Home Run Derby at Dodger Stadium after defeating 21-year-old Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez in the final round, but the clear winner of the event was 42-year-old future Hall of Famer and former Dodgers first baseman Albert Pujols – and it wasn’t even close.

Although the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native and 13th round draft pick in 1999 MLB by the St. Louis Cardinals out of Metropolitan Community College – Maple Woods in Kansas City, MO was eliminated in the semifinal round by Soto, Pujols won the hearts of not only the sold-out Dodger Stadium crowd, but also the hearts of the entire rosters of National League and American League All-Stars on hand for baseball’s third-most prestigious annual event behind only the World Series and the All-Star Game itself.

“That was a really special moment,” Soto said after receiving his necklace and trophy. “We all know his skills are going down a little bit, but when you cheer for him and give him that direct positive energy, that can change things, and he showed up after that … I think it was a special moment for him and even ourselves to see the legend go out like that.”

Thank you for even more great memories, Tio Albert!

You are loved by all.

Play Ball!

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