The 42-year-old hit the mark with a pinch-hit two-run blast late in the eighth inning to secure the win, while also extending his all-time record of 451 pitchers.
“When I was in the cage [the commentator] said something [on the radio broadcast] like, “It would be great if Albert showed up and hit his last home run against the Cubs.” It happened,” said Pujols after the game.
“That’s why I smiled when I hit first base before the home game because that was the last thing on my mind. I just couldn’t believe it happened.”
With plans to retire at the end of the season, it was likely Pujols’ last game against the Cubs — a team he has historically dominated by hitting 59 homers, 99 extra-base hits and 149 RBIs in 199 career games scored against you.
The three-time league MVP has been on a rebound since the All-Star break in August, hitting .373 with 10 homers in 83 at bats.
“There are times when you take a step back to get out of the game and you become a fan for a minute and experience it like everyone else, and this was one of those,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said to MLB.com. “You take a moment and take it all in because what he’s doing is absolutely amazing.”
The Cardinals also emerged from the All-Star break with a flourish and are 29-11, comfortably atop the NL Central over second-placed Milwaukee Brewers.
Pujols returned this season to the Cardinals, the franchise where he began his historic career and will end later this year.
“I’m still going to retire whether I end up getting 693, 696, 700 or whatever,” Pujols told USA Today last month. “I don’t get bogged down in numbers. If you wanted to tell me 22 years ago that I would have come this close, I would have told you that you were crazy. My career has been amazing.
“I have enough. I’m glad I announced that when I signed. Really, I wouldn’t change anything.”
The Cardinals are next on the field Monday to play the Washington Nationals.