In game one of the World Series on Wednesday night, San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval delved into legendary ground. His three homers in a World Series game was matched by just three players in baseball history: Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson, and Albert Pujols.
Out of the four times this happened coming into tonight (Ruth accomplished the feat twice), their team has won the World Series in three of them: Pujols in 2011, Jackson in 1977, and Ruth in 1928.
But despite the three homers, Sandoval's overall line isn't the best of the bunch. Pujols went 5/6 with four runs and six RBI to go along with his three homers. Jackson went 3/3 with four runs, five RBI, and a walk along with his three homers. Ruth's 1928 performance saw him hit just the three solo homers in five at bats, while his 1926 game saw him score four runs, drive in four, and walk twice. Sandoval "just" went 4/4 with three runs and four RBI.
At any rate though, it's a pretty impressive and unique feat for Sandoval. Hitting two homers off of a pitcher the caliber of Justin Verlander also puts him in rarified air among the three homer club, considering that Pujols hit each of his three homers off of relievers and Jackson hit two of his off of relievers. Well done, Pablo…well done.
