VIDEO: Josh Bell Breaks Albert Pujols' Pre All-Star Break XBH Record With Homer Against Cubs
By Michael Luciano
Anytime you're breaking a record that Albert Pujols set during his days as a St. Louis Cardinal, you're in a groove at the plate. When Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell launched his 26th home run of the season off of Chicago Cubs starter Yu Darvish, he broke Pujols record for extra-base hits before the All-Star Break with his 59th such hit. What's more, he broke a 3-3 deadlock in the sixth inning and gave the Pirates the lead.
NUMBER 26 FOR JOSH BELL ? ?
— Across The Bridge (@ATBPGH) July 4, 2019
OPPO TACO ?
NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO BE THE STARTING NL FIRST BASEMAN THOUGH, RIGHT? ???#LetsGoBucs
pic.twitter.com/pvOFFwzvOq
And to think Freddie Freeman is starting in the All-Star game over him.
After smashing 26 home runs in his rookie season in 2017, Bell only managed 12 in 148 games in 2018. This year, however, Bell has made the leap from promising switch-hitting power bat to nigh-unstoppable, record-breaking masher.
Josh Bell this season: 30 doubles, 3 triples, 26 home runs. 59 XBH!
— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) July 4, 2019
Hitting .310/.382/.663
In 2009, the year Pujols set his extra-base hit record, he finished the year with a .327 average, 47 home runs, and 135 RBIs on his way to his second MVP in a row. If Bell continues hitting the way he has been, we could see some similar numbers.