A night for the ages

Star's 3-HR night leaves Rangers in shock, changes feel of World Series

Eric Gay / AP

Of Albert Pujols' three-homer night on Saturday, Texas manager Ron Washington said "I'll tell you, tonight was something special.''

OPINION

By Tony DeMarco

NBCSports.com contributor

updated 3:04 a.m. ET Oct. 23, 2011

Tony DeMarco

ARLINGTON, Texas - Who has the tougher task: A pitcher trying to get Albert Pujols out, or the media who tries to get the game's biggest superstar to say anything about himself?

You decide after the greatest single-game offensive performance in World Series history:

• Fourteen total bases ? the most in a World Series game ? compiled on three home runs and two singles. In order: Singles in the fourth and fifth innings, then homers in the sixth, seventh and ninth innings.
• Only Babe Ruth twice (1926, 1928) and Reggie Jackson (1977) ? "pretty good company right there" in the words of Cardinals manager Tony La Russa ? also have hit three home runs in a World Series game.

Pujols' trio came against three different pitchers ? and in the sequence of three-run, two-run and solo shot.

• The six RBI in a World Series game had been done only twice previously ? Bobby Richardson (1961) and Hideki Matsui (2009).
• Five hits tied yet another World Series single-game record, held by Milwaukee's Paul Molitor (1982). And hits in four consecutive innings is a World Series first.

"I thought we had him put away a couple of times,'' Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "Next thing you know, the ball is up in the third deck. And then he jumps all over (Mike) Gonzalez on that first pitch (for the second home run). I think (Darren Oliver) threw a good change-up, and (Pujols) got that one also (for the third home run).

Added Cardinals reliever Lance Lynn: "You never want to be a pitcher and face him when he's locked in.''

And what did Pujols say when asked how he felt about his night?

"Well, that will show you the kind of ball club we have,'' he said. "I think everybody was concentrating on the tough loss in St. Louis a couple of days ago, and how we were going to bounce back ? ''

Pressed further ? but what about you tonight? ? here's the next response: "It's not about me. This is about our ball club ? I'm just blessed that I was able to do that tonight, and be part of those nine or 10 guys who were on the field.''

It took Pujols being asked to repeat in English what he just said in response to a question in Spanish for a reflection on his accomplishment to occur: "He asked me how does it feel to be in the same category of Reggie Jackson and Babe Ruth,'' Pujols said. "I just told him it's pretty special. To do it on this stage is amazing.

"But I told him that at the same time, I didn't walk to the ballpark today thinking I was going to have a night like this. I walked to the ballpark with the attitude that I have every day to help this ball club to win.''

As much as this series could be the story of Pujols trying to win another title before impending free agency that could take him away from St. Louis, the more he deflects the spotlight and individual focus. The ultimate player in the ultimate team sport just doesn't want to go there; or state the obvious.

So others have to do it for him.

"You saw the latest example of how great he is,'' La Russa said. "It's the greatest of any World Series (game) in 120 years. I think the best thing to do is you make that statement and ask somebody, okay, show me one that was better."

Added Lynn: "It's fun to watch him do what he did. That's something be able to tell kids and grandkids that I actually witnessed that in person.''

The shock-and-awe that Washington displayed postgame in the interview room spoke volumes about how Pujols' night changed the entire feel of this series.

There's no escaping the importance of the overwhelming nature of the Cardinals' 16-7 win in the pivotal Game 3 in the Rangers' back yard. And Pujols led the assault.

"Between him and (Detroit's Miguel) Cabrera, you need to outlaw them,'' Washington said. "The guy (Pujols) just got locked in after his first at-bat. I've seen him on TV before, but I'll tell you, tonight was something special.''

So now what? After a legendary night like that, the Rangers can't possibly pitch to Pujols in a crucial situation again, can they?

La Russa thinks it's a pick-your-poison dilemma for Washington because of the presences of Lance Berkman, Matt Holliday, David Freese (and in this series, at least ? Allen Craig) around Pujols in the Cardinals lineup.

"You have to go after Albert,'' La Russa said. "You put him on base, and you're going to give up a crooked number.''

Washington appeared so stunned, he really wasn't sure what he was thinking. Asked if the Rangers would change their approach, Washington first said, "nope. I just hope we can make him chase some stuff, and not put stuff in the wrong spot, or get it up in the zone, or out over the plate.''

But then he added: "When the opportunity presents itself to put him on the bag (with an intentional walk), I'm not going to let him swing the bat.''

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A night for the ages

DeMarco: Even after the single-greatest one-man offensive show in World Series history, Albert Pujols didn't want to talk about himself. But there's no escaping the series-changing nature of the Cardinals' 16-7 win in the pivotal Game 3 in the Rangers' back yard. And Pujols led the assault.

Pujols hits 3 homers, Cards cruise in Game 3

Albert Pujols joined Babe Ruth and Reggie Jackson as the only players to hit three home runs in a World Series game, tying records with five hits and six RBIs that led the Cardinals to a 16-7 rout of the Texas Rangers on Saturday night that gave St. Louis a 2-1 Series lead.

Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/45003787/ns/sports-baseball/

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