Max Kellerman issues apology after insinuating Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols is cheating

Pujols is now three home runs from magic No. 700 and fourth on the list of all-time great sluggers behind only Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714). 

Especially considering the fact that this season is Pujols' last go-round, and he's back in St. Louis, it's truly been magical for the legendary slugger. 

Not everyone has been as impressed with Pujols, though. In fact, his resurgence as a slugger had actually caused one notable sports analyst, Max Kellerman of ESPN, to doubt the legitimacy of Pujols' recent streak.

“It is amazing, how Pujols, who was in steady decline for years, suddenly, it’s like he discovered the fountain of youth! I don’t know how he’s doing it!” Kellerman recently said on his show in a sarcastic tone (h/t Awful Announcing). “Bartender, I’ll have whatever he’s having! This is unbelievable. He sure has turned back the clock…how does a player turn back the clock like this? I guess it’s willpower and practice. All these years between then and now he hasn’t been practicing, apparently.”

That take from Kellerman caught a ton of heat, and it makes sense.

The comments were so bad that Kellerman had no choice but to walk them back. 

“We showed video of Albert Pujols as he chases 700 home runs. I commented that he seemed to be hitting the ball much better than he has in a long time. Some, including Albert, inferred that my curiosity as to how he was achieving this recent level of success could only mean that he was benefiting from something other than a lot of hard work, practice and his natural ability. For that, I apologize to Albert and the Cardinals’ organization," Kellerman said on his show (h/t Awful Announcing). 

To say that sort of thing about a player like Pujols, without any facts to back it up, is irresponsible at best and journalistic malpractice at worst.