Tom Sherrill, Air Force Serviceman, Returns 500th Home Run Ball To Cardinals Slugger Albert Pujols: Watch Home Run Video!

Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols has been one of the most dominant hitters in Major League Baseball since bursting onto the scene in 2001. Playing the first 11 seasons of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, the 34-year-old Dominican Republic native smashed 445 home runs and collected three National League MVP awards while helping the Cardinals win the World Series in 2006 and 2011. A consistent presence at the plate, Pujols moved to the American League in 2012, registering 30 home runs and 105 RBI’s in his first season with the Angels before suffering through a down 2013 campaign.

Off to a solid start in 2014, Albert Pujols solidified his place in history Wednesday night in Washington, D.C. With the Angels taking on the Washington Nationals, the nine-time All-Star was just two home runs shy of 500 for his career. Claiming No. 499 off Nationals starter Taylor Jordan in the first inning, Pujols came up to the plate once again in the fifth inning. With Los Angeles leading 4-2 in the top half of the inning with no one out and one runner on, Pujols sent a 1-2 pitch from Jordan into the left-centerfield seats for No. 500. While the accomplishment is one the first baseman will never forget, the moment was special for Air Force serviceman Tom Sherrill as well.

A California native, the 29-year-old staff sergeant -- who was in Washington for Air Force training -- decided to move his seats after Pujols hit his 499th since he figured the left-centerfield area suited the preferred location of Pujols’ swing. When the newest member of the 500-home run club made contact with the 1-2 offering, Sherrill -- a former baseball player -- said he was able to monitor where the ball was headed and began to quickly navigate his way over to the eventual landing spot where he became a part of history. Happy to be involved in the unique moment, Sherrill said his only goal was to return the ball to its rightful owner.

“I saw some seats over there and thought there’s a good chance he could hit it in this area.” Sherrill said after the game. It went so far up that I just turned around and hauled my butt up the stairs and it worked out. There was another guy there named Chris, he was running down the stairs. We kinda squared each other up. It bounced off of him and into my hands. After that, I wanted to give the ball back to Albert. It was amazing to be a part of that moment.”

Upon receiving the ball Pujols -- who is batting .274 this season with 8 home runs and 19 RBI in 20 games -- appreciated the gesture and was happy to learn that Sherrill received an Angels cap along with other team paraphernalia. He also posed for pictures and signed autographs for Sherrill.

“They were pretty honest to give it back,” Pujols said. “And I appreciate that.”