2005 NLCS (Cardinals @ Astros) Game Five

The 2005 Cardinals were on life support going into Game Five of the NLCS. Having won the opener, the Cardinals dropped game two at home, and thanks to some rather sharp misfortune (and defensive miscues), they had dropped games three and four in Houston. Needing a win to stay alive, they turned to Chris Carpenter in game five, and things were going well ... until Lance Berkman parked a cheap-o Crawford Boxes home run in the 7th to put the Astros on the verge of their first ever pennant.
Things looked bad for the Cardinals then, but even worse in the bottom of the 9th, trailing by two, with nobody on, and two out, against Brad Lidge, one of the premier closers in the National League. But, in baseball, you never know what can happen before that 27th out is made.
Eckstein poked a seeing-eye single into left.
Edmonds walked.
Then, Albert Pujols happened.

[@ObiWanRalph]

3:16:28 - This was the moment embedded in my mind for years and I've never been able to find it until I found this video of the entire game. I just LOVE watching Andy Pettitte with total disbelief on his face saying, "Oh my God...." as Pujols homer goes into orbit. It just gives me such a thrill!

[@aznpikachu215]

And you hear the call from Brennaman at 3:10:55 - 0-1 to Pujols...In the air....left field! And Pujols has given St. Louis the lead!! A dramatic, towering, three-run home run!! Stunned in disbelief here in Houston!

[@phillipbobjohn3048]

The most nostalgic thing about this is all the commercials

[@NEPats1289]

That home run was one of the most bad ass moments in sports. It’s forgotten because St Louis lost game 6. To be able to hammer the ball like that in that moment, incredible

[@BrandonTownsend]

The cardinals sure know how to ruin Nolan Ryan's day. Lol.

[@Jacobthekid28]

They did in 2011 as well when they stunned the Rangers

[@CoreyT127]

Pujols from 2002-2011 was as good as anyone who ever played

[@ryanwilliams8612]

Agreed

[@kevinpayton2664]

His 11 years in St. Louis is unforgettable. It was at that time Pujols became the best player in the game.

[@inlinechris]

01

[@DanielSong39]

Ironically the first few seasons overlapped with Barry Bonds' sick run, that was the best 4 year stretch of hitting in baseball history

[@AllYourBaseAreBelongToU5]

I remember the many times I was at a game at a concession stand or on a concourse. When Pujols was announced coming to the plate, everyone stopped what they were doing and went to a place where they could see his at-bat.

[@scottwesley5018]

Lifelong Cardinals fan.. and although we lost this series.. and although we won 2 world series after this... this is still my absolute #1 moment as a sports fan. Before Albert hit that homerun everything felt so helpless. Lidge had been lights out ALL SEASON and you can see he was lights out to start the inning. I had forgotten about the gutsy single by Eckstein and the patient walk by Edmonds. I will never forget that homerun though and specifically the sight of the ball so far and away above the stands. This ruined Lidge’s prime. He bounced back later with the Phillies but he was never the same.

[@cardinalsbaseballclassics]

After the Pujols incident, Lidge had save totals of 32, 19, 41, 31, and 27. He was an All-Star in 2008 (easily the second best year of his career - the best one being 2004), and put up seasons of 1.2, 2.4, and 1.1 WAR ater '05. He wasn't great in '06, and was pretty bad in '09, but to say he was never the same would be incorrect.

[@adamj196]

Foolish Baseball disagrees..

[@scottwesley5018]

@@cardinalsbaseballclassics 1 asg and decent save numbers in 5 seasons is not the same as being lights out:..

[@savagedick3848]

Sure gonna miss this rivalry. Although it was overshadowed by the Yankees and Red Sox in the early 00’s.

[@jacobrichardson1952]

Yea that’s true

[@TheMrKobeBryant2012]

Now the Astros play in the AL, and they cheat. Lol

[@jacobrichardson1952]

@@TheMrKobeBryant2012 yeaa it's also true!

[@vincent2053]

@@TheMrKobeBryant2012 You’re a guy

[@jonathanfrimerman8855]

@@TheMrKobeBryant2012 Feel like Astros cheated ever since they move to the AL

[@hannanathan564]

Old broadcast with old commercials! This video is a literal Time Machine.

[@aznpikachu215]

3:10:55 - Best call from Thom Brennaman: 0-1 to Pujols...In the air....left field! And Pujols has given St. Louis the lead!! A dramatic, towering, three-run home run!! Stunned in disbelief here in Houston! You can hear that bat *Smack* silenced the Houston crowd..

[@blessd24]

It really was a great call. Had it as a ring tone on my phone for quite a while. 😆

[@aznpikachu215]

​@@blessd24 And Andy Pettitte 's reaction to Pujols Home Run..'OMG'.

[@OldRustySteele]

I still strongly believe that Thom Brennaman should have been Fox’s primary baseball play-by-play man, rather than Joe Buck. Brennaman brought more emotion and had a more powerful voice than Buck. And I say this as a lifelong Cardinal fan and a Jack Buck admirer. Don’t get me wrong - Joe is very good, but I just think Brennaman was better.

[@aznpikachu215]

@@OldRustySteele Maybe Joe is more cheaper, or he has more ties on Fox than Brennaman.

[@aznpikachu215]

@@blessd24 That's interesting having it as a ringtone.

[@MedScratch]

One of the best games I have ever seen. Pujols is such a beast!

[@claudiaalaniz5027]

who were you rooting for

[@MedScratch]

Die hard Cardinals fan

[@brandonjackson8816]

Berkman had to go to St. Louis to win a WS, been part of the improbable run to the title in 2011, baseball is amazing

[@wowwt]

He was not getting signed anywhere else because of how old he was but Tony knew it was BS and that he was still extremely good and forced the Cardinals owner to get him signed.

[@brandonjackson8816]

@@wowwthis last year between Astros and Yankees was derailed by injuries, plus his age put a risk on him, but LaRussa made a push and the rest is history

[@santamuerte3006]

Miss watching Eckstein play, yet as a Dbacks fan it makes me appreciate Carroll so much more.

[@jameslisle7775]

This is a forgotten Classic!

[@timmoore2676]

I'll never forget this game. My wife and I at our first apartment soon after we got married, she fell asleep on the couch and I scared the crap out of her when Pujols hit that home run.

[@ZChoate]

That's sweet

[@Englishwithpeter88]

This is the greatest crowd silencer of all-time. Hats off to Eckstein and Edmonds for setting the table.

[@edwardgohl8275]

This specific game and moment is one of my all-time favs in a history of watching sports. Doesn't matter what happened in Game 7. Hell, I'm not a fan of either team even, I just like baseball! It's just because I said to my friend after two outs (we were cheering for the Cards this particular night) "we just need Eckstein to do some Eckstein thing, then we have Edmonds, a great .OBP guy, then if that can happen we have a CHANCE with one of the greatest of all time." I truly did say that. Out loud. And then Eckstein got the most Ecksteiny soft grounder single one can imagine. And Edmonds stepped up. And even he made it hard; how do you lean away from that 1-1 pitch? Step right into it my man!! But anyway, true to form, the magnificent Jim Edmonds drew a walk. And up came Albert Pujols. One of the very truly greatest players in the 130 year history of professional baseball. And proceeded to hit a ball that will live forever in my memory. Forever. And I have seen a lot of baseball and a lot of sports. Again, they lost the series? Who cares. Then the White Sox swept the Astros. Water under the bridge. In 50 years we won't even remember who beat who in the 2005 World Series. But we'll always remember this moment! Always.

[@latinprincews6]

Man I remember this game.. I was yelling at the TV.. WALK HIM OR JUST THROW SLIDERS IN THE DIRT.. WHATEVER YOU DO DONT GIVE HIM ANYTHING OVER THE PLATE! aaaaannnnnnnddddddd..... shot through the heart

[@claudiaalaniz5027]

who were you rooting for

[@latinprincews6]

@@claudiaalaniz5027 Astros

[@mr100x3]

He was trying to put it in the dirt but it hung

[@kylebrennan6028]

Yeah but you guys were able to watch the white Sox sweep you in the world series

[@miguelsandoval1985]

Albert Pujols' 3 Run Homer Silences Houston & Puts Cards Back On Top. 3:10:52

[@jacobrichardson1952]

Their reactions.

[@chasecieslar3785]

I was at that game

[@sstarlingarcia1238]

Yes but remember who finally won that series

[@miguelsandoval1985]

Yeah, It Was The White Sox... Sadly.

[@TheMrKobeBryant2012]

Yeah well they lost the series so who cares?

[@Darkkefka]

I watched this game live..and this was my introdution to Albert Pujols. Instantly became a fan of him after this game. Now he's 4th on the all time homerun list!!!

[@muckaxe]

Love that shot of Albert in the dugout during Rodriguez’s at bat in the 9th. Pure zonal determination.

[@LuckyVillain419]

You're doin the lords work thank you

[@brandonfleming675]

That shot was one of the ultimate fuck you moments in sports. Imagine being a fan in left field and having that ball go over your head and it just started coming down. Like, the ball was still rising when it went over the fence.

[@miguelsandoval1985]

The Lesson From The 2005 NLCS Game 5 Is... Never Name The Chevy Player Of The Game To A Player From A LOSING Team, EVER!!!!!

[@deiradinn]

I miss the Cardinals-Astros rivalry before they moved to the AL, before Chris Correa/Jeff Luhnow feud and logging in fiasco. It was always respectful and exciting. Nowadays with social media, things seem so angry and trollish.

[@kevinpayton2664]

It was a great rivalry no doubt.

[@knoxscott65able]

3:05:50. "They're ready for a big bash tonight" How prophetic!! Pujols provided it just a few minutes later.

[@Chuckclc]

Pujols said afterwards. "I couldnt hear anything while at bat, but when running around the bases it was so quiet I could hear my foot steps hitting the ground." Thank God the Astros won this thing or Lidge might have done bad things to himself.

[@ChiefBlue4298]

But they would get swept by the White Sox in the World Series

[@Chuckclc]

@@ChiefBlue4298 Yeah but at least he didnt cost them that series lol.

[@hellohell77]

This ruined lidge for years. I remember when the phils got him in 08. I was like what? Then 48-48 and a WS title happened.

[@hmhm856]

Astros won this series in 6 games, but yet this NLCS is mostly remembered for the Pujols home run

[@CoreyT127]

The collective dreadful sigh by the crowd, rightfully so after ball 4 to Edmonds in the 9th. Knowing Pujols could/did win the game with 1 swing!

[@bryanw91178]

Cardinals liked to torture Nolan Ryan. At 3:11:17, he had that same look during Game 6 of the 2011 World Series sitting in the stands at Busch Stadium wearing a Rangers jacket

[@sstarlingarcia1238]

Ajajaajjajajajaj, I didn't know that

[@Powerranger-le4up]

And this was before the Astros started using a trash can.

[@TheMrKobeBryant2012]

Now they bang trash cans lol

[@blessd24]

I got married in May of 2005. During this game, my wife had fallen asleep on the couch. As the top of the 9th wore on, I ended up on the floor. When Pujols uncoiled on that HR, I lost my mind. Jumping around our little 900 square foot home, trying not to wake my wife. I couldn't hold it in and eventually yelled about it. I was breathing kind of heavy after all the excitement. My wife woke up, looked at me with an annoyed face, and said one of the funniest things I've ever heard: "Well, it looks like you've had your sex for the night." Then she went to bed. 😆😆😆

[@ZChoate]

Guy has a similar story above

[@CoreyT127]

Cardinals underperformed massively in this series but all bets all off vs a rival, and the stro's came so close the previous year! This is one of those great moments that was all for not unfortunately

[@EliT347]

They at least had this, which denied the Astros from winning the pennant at home.

[@jasoncampbell7765]

The Man. The Legend. This was Pujols at his finest!

[@white-gold]

Those were the days my friend. Hated to see them end.

[@zeytun4290]

Down by 2 scores, one strike away against the best closer in the league that season and they managed to win the game. I have never seen a quicker turnaround in a sporting event in my entire life

[@jamesdavison2927]

There are VERY FEW cards moments I've watched as many times as this one Stan the Man's eulogy by Costas maybe more

[@cstbrent81]

2022: Brad Lidge is still seeing a shrink

[@brandonmcduff]

I'm a cards fan so I could care less but you k NH ow he recovered his career with the Phillies right? He won a title as closer in 08.

[@donnieburton362]

Was praying to the baseball gods and prayers answered.. @ least for this year's series game. Oh what sweet memories... King Albert!!

[@richwhiteman2755]

Pujols should be in prison. He absolutely murdered that ball. That never gets old!

[@jamesdavison2927]

One of the BADDEST ASS moments in Cards history!!! Yes I know what happened after I do not care

[@miguelsandoval1985]

Albert Pujols Turned Minute Maid Park From A Noisy Asylum With Fans Ready To Party To One Of The Most Peaceful & Quiet Ocean Sounds... In Terms Of The Crowd By The Way.

[@Airplane299]

It was pretty loud during 2017 and 2019.

[@walterlv01]

If I remember correctly - as dominant as Lidge was in the '04 series, Pujols hit a flyout to the warning track on either a check-swing or a one-armed flail against him in the 9th inning of G4. Lidge was also shaky in this series in both G3 and G4's ninth innings so it was just a matter of time before Pujols or someone finally got to him.

[@deequi77]

Pujols 700 HR brought me here

[@Robert-qd7oy]

Rumor has it.. that ball still hasn’t landed yet 🤘🏼

[@blessd24]

I remember geeking about how far this ball might have gone if the wall wasn't there on message boards after this game. It was called something like 440. I don't buy it. Had to be closer to 500.

[@97omar100]

The game that broke Brad Lidge

[@anonymousanonymity2815]

Except in 2008 he had a perfect season

[@jscsable]

Les informo que la pelota del Homerun de Pujols cayó justo este año 2019 😄

[@sstarlingarcia1238]

Jajaja

[@forgotaboutbre]

Two outs and nobody on. Holy smokes.

[@jonathanfrimerman8855]

I want the Astros to use these unis today one day

[@Blackout.1644]

Absolutely. I’m not even an Astros fan but I miss their NL unis

[@jacobrichardson1952]

@@Blackout.1644 yea so do I.

[@HARDTACK-ed4lq]

Still remember the silent that Pujols made at bottom9. Hope the festival destroyer joins new team asap.

[@TRuePack1]

3:25 - A-Rod cheated? No way!

[@nathanielmcdonald17]

I wonder where the mere thought of A Rod cheating would come from

[@spinlok3943]

Ugh this series practically gives me PTSD with the exception of the Pujols homerun. The Astros fans were so loud and obnoxious, they kept closing the roof to amplify the crowd noise, the awful bee buzzing sound, and the announcers were so biased towards the Astros, ugh just terrible.

[@marcoapollo2466]

This game represents houston sports in a nutshell

[@hmhm856]

My gosh, one out away, one strike away, with the light-hitting Eckstein, and then disaster

[@baseballexpert3761]

Now we got us a ring thanks for the memories Astros....😂oh and Pujols the Astros killer 😂we spent 1 yr away from him now were both in the AL west😂

[@JoseGonzalez-pv5ox]

Now that ring don’t matter 😆

[@TheMrKobeBryant2012]

And your team had to cheat to get it

[@didntaskbro8297]

@@TheMrKobeBryant2012 don't care how old your comment is but i gotta say, at least go to a 2017 video if you are going whine like a bitch about that dumb shit that alot of teams were doing. Being that upset over that shit to go and cry about it on a fucking 2005 astros video is sad especially when it's an entirely different team and time. I hope you find a way to cope with the situation eventually dude.

[@kevinpayton2664]

Pujols put that on the train tracks.

[@flames24lightning]

I'm pretty sure everybody had 1986 ALCS in their minds after this game.

[@jameslisle7775]

Practically identical situations.

[@robertryan399]

I did at that time. It was the big comparison people were making at school the next day

[@ADEAL918]

flames24lightning the story was that was what the Astros were thinking too (though the '86 Angels didn't have someone as dominant as Oswalt waiting to start Game 6--but even so, it's a HUGE loss of momentum) and they were feeling very down and defeated and then on their flight back to St. Louis, one of their players got on the plane's intercom and said something to the effect of "and if you look out the window, you can see Pujols's home run, it's still going--I believe it is orbiting the earth!" And the whole team, including Lidge, went crazy laughing, it eased the tension, and they said later that after that they knew they were still going to win, and they did.

[@aidanmiranda6140]

NLCS*

[@hmhm856]

Ive always wondered who would have started for the Cardinals in game 7 if there was one = Morris on normal rest or Suppan on short rest. Suppan started game 7 at home against the Astros in 2004 and game 7 against the Mets in 2006

[@ZChoate]

Suppan had a different look in his eyes on those games, literally I remember thinking he was on amphetamines. 😂

[@hmhm856]

Ive always wanted to listen to the ESPN radio call to the Pujols home run, and to the Astros radio call (if there is one)

[@hmhm856]

2:52:02 As of the end of the 2023 season, out of all those teams, Rangers - Astros - Nationals, have all won a WS title Rockies - Rays , both have been to the WS but not win it. Mariners have not been to the WS (came close in 1995-2000-2001)

[@nflmlbclassics]

In this situation, would you rather pitch to Pujols, or walk him intentionally--even if it means putting the tying run in scoring position--and pitch to Sanders. True, Sanders had 10 RBIs in the NLDS, but Pujols is more dangerous--and we know he won MVP that year.

[@cardinalsbaseballclassics]

To me, this isn't a difficult decision at all. If I'm the Astros, I pitch to Pujols. He was the greatest player in the game at the time, but he still averaged making an out every 6.7 out of 10 trips to the plate. You're one out away from going to the World Series for the first time in franchise history, and you're up 3-1 in a best-of-seven. You have some margin for error. If you walk Pujols, you make it so that a single has the potential to tie the game, and opens up the possibility of a really big inning - albeit, there were two outs. If he homers, you're only down by a run, with one more turn at bat, and two games left in the series (if needed) to wrap it up. That's not the end of the world, even if it's not the dream scenario. Add in the fact that Pujols was 2 for 10 in his career against Lidge up to that point (regular and postseason combined), Sanders had been hot (though he really hadn't done much since Game One of the LCS), and, statistically speaking, the odds are in your favor. It just didn't work out that night for the 'Stros, but they extracted their revenge by closing Busch Stadium II with a Game Six victory two nights later.

[@JayTemple]

By this time, I had recognized that Pujols hit into a ton of double-plays. The Phillies knew it, too, which is why, in one game, in the Cardinals' half of the ninth, with one out, they intentionally walked the batter before him to load the bases. Sure enough, he hit into a game-ending double-play.

[@nflmlbclassics]

Thanks for the insight and explanation. I thought I'd bring this up, because of the old adage: don't let their best hitter beat you. One example is Game 4 of the 1996 WS. Tied at 6-6 in the 10th, the Yanks had men on 1st and 2nd with two out. The Braves opted to intentionally walk Bernie Williams even though it put the go-ahead run at third. As it turned out, Wade Boggs came on to pinch-hit and worked a walk to force home the run that put the Yanks ahead to stay. True, the game was focused on the Leyritz HR, but what would've happened had the Braves pitched to Bernie. It's another of those what ifs.

[@ryanwilliams6187]

He also has a shit load of walk offs dude no one is perfect.

[@ryanwilliams8612]

@@JayTemple Jay Pujous isn't the same hitter he once was he was better with the Cardinals because I know what game your talking about.

[@MisterBourgolini]

Brad Lidge's biggest mistake, not walking Pujols. Phil Garner should have called for an immediate intentional walk to keep Pujols from hitting the fastball. Otherwise Astros would have won the pennant at home. That would have increased Houston's confidence to go 7 games with the Chicago White Sox at the World Series.

[@carl5381]

RIP Brad Lidge...

[@jacobrichardson1952]

He ain't dead

[@anonymousanonymity2815]

Jacob Richardson r/whooosh

[@michaeldavid6284]

I was at the game and tried to follow the ball and see where it landed, but I lost it in a cloud.

[@Amplified435]

Honestly they wouldn’t even be in that position in any other ballpark in the city. That Berkman homerun is like they said, a routine fly ball and second out in any other ball park. Saying both teams have it, okay that’s fine, but Lance was such a good hitter that he knew how to pull fastballs over into those Crawford boxes or w.e. He had been doing it all season, and had the practice to pull easier homeruns. 338 feet?

[@ryanwilliams6187]

Berkman is just a beast he just made a habit of hitting big homers in his career and in the playoffs and that ballpark too.

[@Amplified435]

Ryan Williams yeah big 300 ft homers

[@wpjohnston0213]

Stop whining. You are the same type of fan who also says the Rockies have an unfair advantage playing at Coors Field. It is baseball and the players more than know what nuances to expect in different ball parks.

[@vsp.adell-on-tiktok]

3:10:47 was the moment that shocked everyone when Albert hit that 3 run homerun

[@hmhm856]

2:52:02 As of the end of the 2022 season Mariners have still not made the WS as of the end of the 2022 season. Made ALCS in 1995-2000-2001, but lost to Cleveland-Yankees-Yankees. Astros made WS in 2005 (Lost to WSOX), 2017 (beat Dodgers), 2019 (lost to Nationals), 2021 (lost to Braves), and 2022 (beat Phillies) Rockies madeWs in 2007 (Lost to RSOX) Rays made WS in 2008 (Lost to Phillies) and 2020 (lost to Dodgers) Rangers made WS in 2010 and 2011 (Lost to Giants and Cards). Nationals/Expos WS in 2019 (beat the Astros). Came close to making it in 1981 (lost to Phillies in NLCS) and the 1994 strike season

[@RyansColoradoRailProductions]

3:10:54 the Pujols home run

[@selerim]

Even tho Astros won 2017 WS this game still hurts when Albert Puijols hit that 3 run home run

[@sstarlingarcia1238]

Why? Because Astros won that series anyways , but they were swept in the Ws

[@MrBlue11900]

Sorry bro 2017 Astros are cheats

[@kobeyashi11]

@@MrBlue11900 stay butthurt they got that ring

[@billycausgrove9657]

@@kobeyashi11 And then got their ass kicked by the Braves

[@inlinechris]

Lmaoo that Chevy player of the game was a little premature huh

[@hmhm856]

Lidge almost blew the saves in both game 3 and game 4 as well

[@fortniteandpubg2150]

after brad lidge coughs up the lead to pujols, in the bottom of the 9th altuve hits a walkoff 2run homer off cards closer aroldis chapman to send the astros to the world series

[@wahkeeblaster]

3:10:55 BALL GO FAR ⚾🎯🔭🔬🔎😱😯😦

[@jacobrichardson1952]

Jesus Christ that landed on the Astros train tracks!

[@DanielSong39]

How far was Pujols' home run? 450 feet?

[@robheaton]

666 feet, because Cardinals devil magic

[@DanielSong39]

@@robheaton It didn't work that season (they lost in Game 6)

[@luisgomez74]

Brad lidge mistake was not bouncing that second breaking ball! pujols was so wired he was going to swing at anything close enough

[@nathanielmcdonald17]

3:16:31 Andy Pettite's reaction to the dinger

[@brandonmcduff]

Surprised they didn't walk pujols

[@ZChoate]

3:11:59 This is how i will remember Tony

[@sstarlingarcia1238]

Great come back for St.Louis

[@benestrada5589]

3:10:54 Rumor has it that the ball still hasnt come down yet.

[@miguelsandoval1985]

Lance Berkman's 3 Run Homer Puts Houston In The Lead. 2:34:45

[@jjmanzano9]

Yeah. THAT is the memory from this game 🤣

[@jacobrichardson1952]

Puma killed that ball.

[@Aris262]

@@jacobrichardson1952 Yeah killed in the first row in the box seats thats only 315 feet away...totally killed it...

[@billycausgrove9657]

Weak Ass Home Run

[@jamesdavison2927]

Did "player of the game" change? Sincerely- CARDS FAN

[@shernadez8065]

They picked the player of the game too soon 🤣

[@brandonmcduff]

Yup. Stupid of them to do that so soon with the game still going. They though it was over just like all the astros players and fans. Didnt know they were playing the cardinals.

[@glenntammons9838]

ALBERT WINNNE THE PUJOLS. THE MACHINE!!!!!!

[@bostonredsox49]

3:10:40 oh you saw a slider alright Bob...

[@jasondiaz8792]

Ball still hasn’t landed yet

[@MatthewCarter-t8q]

STILL hasn't landed.

[@KamronFultz]

I was at this game when they didn't walk Pujols to get Sanders I was furious! When he hit that ball the place was so quiet you could hear a mouse fart. YOU DON'T PITCH TO PUJOLS IN THE CLUTCH!

[@Chuckclc]

Lol, only thing stupider would be to walk the tying run into scoring position and put the go ahead run on base. Hindsight is 20/20, was the right baseball move, bad execution.

[@KamronFultz]

@@Chuckclc lol Lidge was burnt out, Pujols at that time was Very do for a homer, and Sanders was injured on his last involved play. In situations that are clutch like that you treat Pujols like Bonds. Call me a coward an idiot whatever you like living room couch coach whatever, there is never a good reason to pitch to Pujols in the clutch.

[@jorgealcocer2368]

I remember that day jumping on my bed with my wife and then😮😮😮😮

[@1999bill1999]

3:10:54 Jorge Soler said hold my beer

[@xavoxbeatsaber]

the at-bat we all came for: 3:10:10

[@josiahcrew375]

Pujos was that guy

[@AllYourBaseAreBelongToU5]

Man, these announcers just prove how terrible Joe Buck and Tim McCarver are.

[@bellamafiaquackafellarecor7770]

3:04:30 Biggio knew who was in the hole

[@Powerranger-le4up]

Back when the Astros didn’t need a trash can.

[@bluebird9903]

I'm just here for 3:10:50 😂

[@benhascall3591]

Astros made it to WS anyway

[@mrwoods22]

Then the Chi Sox swept dat azz.

[@scottwesley5018]

Ya but got swept by a mediocre White Sox team, meanwhile Cards won the next year. That mammoth shot shook all of Houston to their core.

[@jjmanzano9]

Yeah but Lidge’s confidence was gone. It took him 3 years and a new team to get it back.

[@MrBlue11900]

@@scottwesley5018 lol that White Sox team had a stacked pitching staff at the time. Every pitcher on that team had a career year.

[@shoukatsukai]

Mediocre White Sox team? They literally lost a single game that postseason. Flat out dominance

[@KalvinSingh]

3:10:56

[@Kyosera]

3:10:20

[@Matthew23758]

This ended Brad Lidge’s career

[@cardinalsbaseballclassics]

No, it didn't actually. He went on to have a few more good seasons with the Astros and Phillies, and he was on the mound when the Phillies won the 2008 World Series.

[@charles9571]

@@cardinalsbaseballclassics I have to side with Matt on this one. He went onto Philly, may have won a world series I think, but he was never the same pitcher that he was after the Pujols at bat. It may not have ended his career, but he wasn't "lights out" anymore.

[@cardinalsbaseballclassics]

@@charles9571 You're both flat-out wrong. After the Pujols incident, Lidge had save totals of 32, 19, 41, 31, and 27. He was an All-Star in 2008 (easily the second best year of his career - the best one being 2004), and put up seasons of 1.2, 2.4, and 1.1 WAR ater '05. He wasn't great in '06, and was pretty bad in '09, but you cannot blame the Pujols incident for that, especially considering that he had good seasons well after that home run happened.

[@thedreadedmarco]

@@cardinalsbaseballclassics It didn't end his career, but he had been one of the most dominant closers in baseball. The year after this, his ERA ballooned to over 5, while his BB/9 and HR/9 basically doubled, then continued to struggle the year after that. The narrative at the time was that he would never be the same pitcher again, and that this home run was directly responsible for it. I'm happy for Brad that he went to the Phillies, found the toughness to bounce back and have a few more good years (and a WS ring). But it's not totally insane to think that this moment affected him, and caused him to regress pretty significantly for the rest of his tenure with the Astros. Not everything is black and white, and I think it's unfair to say that @Charles is "flat-out wrong" for pointing out that Lidge wasn't the same pitcher he had been prior to this.

[@selerim]

No it ended his Astros career he went on to win WS with the Phillies 2008