Albert Pujols hit a home-run off Mets’ starter Rich Hill on Saturday night, which meant the oldest position player in baseball went yard against the oldest pitcher in baseball. Both players are 41 years-old with Pujols slightly beating Hill in the age department by just a couple months. Nelson Cruz is the only other active MLB player over 40, although Adam Wainwright will turn 40 next week.
Pujols’ second inning shot to right center gave the Dodgers a 2-0 lead in the first. The home run was the future hall of famer’s tenth with the Dodgers and 15th on the year. Pujols joined the Dodgers after he was designated for assignment by the Angels earlier in the season, bringing his 10-year, $254 million contract he signed in 2012 to a premature end.
As for Rich Hill, the 41-year-old owns a 4.13 ERA (4.80) FIP through 122 innings between the Rays and the Mets in 2021. Hill has enjoyed a late career renaissance that began with the A’s in 2016. He then spent 3.5 seasons with the Dodgers and enjoyed plenty of success. He ultimately started 11 postseason games with the Dodgers and was a solid asset, allowing just three runs across 15 World Series innings.
Unlike Pujols, however, Hill isn’t closing in on any all-time milestones late in his career. Last night’s home run was career #677 for Pujols, which is still good for fifth all time. The three-time MVP is 19 short of catching Alex Rodriguez for fourth most all-time. If he hits 23 more, Pujols will become the fourth MLB player to cross the 700 home-run threshold. Only Babe Ruth (714), Hank Aaron (755) and Barry Bonds (762) have hit more than 700 home-runs.
Both Hill and Pujols also have a long way to go if they plan on setting any age-related records. Satchell Paige holds the record for oldest player to appear in an MLB game at 59-years-old. In the modern era, Jamie Moyer played until he was 49 and became the oldest pitcher to win a game.
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