Albert Pujols through the years

Angels first baseman Albert Pujols hits his 500th career home run -- a two-run blast -- during the fifth inning of Tuesday’s game against the Washington Nationals. (Patrick Smith / Getty Images)

Angels slugger watches his 500th career home run sail over the fence during the fifth inning of Tuesday’s road game against the Washington Nationals. (Patrick Smith / Getty Images)

Angels slugger Albert Pujols points upward as he crosses home plate after hitting his 500th career home run Tuesday against the Washington Nationals. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press)

Angels first baseman Albert Pujols, center, is congratulated by his teammates after hitting his 500th career home run in the fifth inning of a 7-2 win over the host Washington Nationals. (Patrick Smith / Getty Images)

Angels slugger Albert Pujols acknowledges the crowd after becoming the 26th player in major league history to hit 500 career home runs Tuesday during a 7-2 road win over the Washington Nationals. (Patrick Smith / Getty Images)

Angels first baseman Albert Pujols hits his 499th career home run during Tuesday’s game against the Washington Nationals. (Michael Reynolds / EPA)

Jose Mota interviews Angels slugger Albert Pujols, who gets a celebratory shower after hitting career homers 499 and 500, in 2009.
 (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press)

Angels first baseman Albert Pujols holds up the balls he hit for his 499th, right, and 500th career home runs after the team’s 7-2 win over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press)

Albert Pujols, who agreed to a 10-year deal with the Angels in 2011, never finished lower than ninth in MVP voting in his 11 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)

2013
G: 99
Avg: .258
OBP: .330
SLG: .437
HR: 17
RBIs: 64
 (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

2011
G: 147
Avg: .299
OBP: .366
SLG: .541
HR: 37
RBIs: 99
MVP: fifth place
 (James A. Finley / Associated Press)

2010
G: 159
Avg: .312
OBP: .414
SLG: .596
HR: 42
RBIs: 118
MVP: second place
 (Matthew Stockman / Associated Press)

2009
G: 160
Avg: .327
OBP: .443
SLG: .658
HR: 47
RBIs: 135
MVP: won MVP award
 (Scott Rovak / EPA)

2008
G: 148
Avg: .357
OBP: .462
SLG: .653
HR: 37
RBIs: 116
MVP: won MVP award
 (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

2006
G: 143
Avg: .331
OBP: .431
SLG: .671
HR: 49
RBIs: 137
MVP: second place
 (Tannen Maury / EPA)

2005
G: 161
Avg: .330
OBP: .430
SLG: .609
HR: 41
RBIs: 117
MVP: won MVP award
 (John Bazemore / Associated Press)

2002
G: 157
Avg: .314
OBP: .394
SLG: .561
HR: 34
RBIs: 127
MVP: second place
 (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)

2001
G: 161
Avg: .329
OBP: .403
SLG: .610
HR: 37
RBIs: 130
MVP: fourth place
won rookie of the Year award (Jeff Roberson / Associated Press)