Dodgers News: Frequent L.A. Reliever Expresses Desire to Allow Pujols’ 700th Homer
Among the 14 pitchers currently on the Dodgers roster, their 11th-most used reliever is not a reliever at all, but Hanser Alberto, a utility bench player.
On Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN, Alberto was miked up with the broadcast booth, and he was (as always) a pure delight. Interspersed between the conversation with Karl Ravech, David Cone, and Eduardo Perez, Alberto even did some play-by-play en español.
He can hit. He can pitch. He can do play-by-play!
Hanser Alberto is an absolute joy to watch. ? pic.twitter.com/h6tVaxXTZA
— MLB (@MLB) September 19, 2022
But perhaps the most notable part of the interview was when the group was discussing Alberto’s frequent pitching exploits. Ravech asked Hanser if he’s the National League version of Shohei Ohtani, and Alberto’s response was classic:
“Yeah, kind of, but he throws a little bit harder than I do. But I still make the outs, I think I put the ball in the right spot, so I get a lot of weak contact. I only throw 65.”
After correcting Ravech, who incorrectly said Hanser had pitched seven times this year — “Eight! I got the record, come on, man!” — Alberto said he hopes to get two more innings to get to 10 on the season. And he specified one particular appearance he’d like to make:
“I want to face (Albert) Pujols, you know? I wish he’d hit 700 against me.”
Hanser Alberto, whose 8 position player pitching apps this season are the most in a season in the divisional era (since 1969), just said he wishes he could face Albert Pujols to allow HR number 700
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 19, 2022
Former Dodger Albert Pujols, of course, is sitting on 698 career home runs right now, and his Cardinals come into L.A. for a three-game series this weekend. The Dodgers have already clinched the NL West and have a firm hold on the best record in baseball, and if Alberto gets in a game to pitch, it will be because the game is out of hand, one way or the other. With Hanser, that is usually out of hand in favor of the Dodgers; seven of his eight appearances this year have come in Dodgers win, by far the most ever for a position player pitching.
So if Hanser gets in a game and Pujols comes to the plate sitting on 699, it would be a pretty cool moment for everyone if Pujols hits the milestone at Dodger Stadium.
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