WATCH: Shaquille O’Neal Challenged Legendary MLB Star Albert Pujols for an Intense Home-Run Battle

Shaquille O’Neal, and Albert Pujols, both are legends in their respective sports. One has ruled an era in NBA while the other one is still smashing the ball all over the park. However, despite playing different sports, the two have always shared a good relationship between them.

Apart from being friends, Pujols and Shaq have another thing in common. Notably, Shaq’s favorite MLB team is the St. Louis Cardinals. On the other hand, Pujols has played for more than a decade for the Cardinals. And probably, their love for the Cardinals is the main reason behind their friendship.

Though Shaq has retired from basketball, Pujols is still donning Major League Baseball. Recently, in the 2022 free agency, Albert Pujols made his comeback to the Cardinals after 10 years. And after his homecoming, an old video has been going viral on the internet.

Albert Pujols defeats Shaq in a close battle

Knowing Pujols and Shaq are the best buddies. During the 2011 season, Shaq challenged Pujols for a friendly battle. At that time, Pujols was still playing for the Cardinals. The two icons of American sports clashed out for a home-run derby.

Both of them had two rounds to play. Shaquille O’Neal surprisingly smashed 10 home runs in two rounds. But Pujols is Pujols, he surpassed the 10 home-run mark with ease and defeated Shaq.

Now, after 11 years of that battle, nothing has changed for Pujols. After playing for LA Angels and LA Dodgers, Pujols is back to the Cardinals. However, this might be Pujols’ last season in Major League Baseball. 

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Until now, Pujols, in his 22 years long career, has clubbed 680 home runs in Major League Baseball. And if he manages to hit 20 more this season, he’ll become the only third player in MLB history to cross the 700 mark. Barry Bonds (762 HR), Henry Aaron (755 HR), and Babe Ruth (714 HR) are the only three stalwarts to have hit more than 700 home runs in MLB.

Now it’s up to Albert Pujols to make it to the elite list. Because the season has just started and he still has more than 150 games to achieve the feat.

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