When Albert Pujols signed his retirement papers, the Chicago Docs were waiting anxiously. Today, Albert Pujols officially joined the Docs, the Baseball Maelstrom team of National Leaguers who aren’t in the Hall of Fame. The Maelstrom Non-Hall teams are comprised of players who aren’t in the Hall of Fame, regardless of the reason. While teammate Pete Rose still faces a lifetime ban, and Barry Bonds contends with the taint of steroids, Pujols will undoubtedly enter the Hall of Fame when eligible, finishing his career with 703 homeruns. Until that day, the Docs hope he’ll spark the team to overcome a 4-9 start.
Unfortunately for Pujols and the Chicago Docs, Houston Hoots starter Phil Niekro had other plans. Docs’ hitter Todd Helton led off with a single, and Pete Rose followed with a double. Helton scored later in the inning on a Sammy Sosa groundout. After that, Niekro allowed just one more hit in the next 7 innings. Niekro ended with 9 Ks in 8 innings of work, allowing just 3 hits and one run. Chicago’s starter Rick Reuschel was also sharp, but Hank Aaron broke a 1-1 tie in the 6th inning with a solo shot. Jeff Bagwell added an insurance run in the 9th with a homer off Chicago’s Billy Wagner. Chicago threatened against Houston reliever Burleigh Grimes, with Sammy Sosa hitting a solo homerun of his own to cut the lead to 3-2. But Albert Pujols made the final out of the game, flying out to center. Pujols was 0-4 with a strikeout in his debut. It was Chicago’s 6th straight loss, dropping them to 4-10. Houston improved to 6-8 with their 5th straight win and a sweep of their Windy City rivals.