Pablo Sandoval joins short list of men to hit three home runs in one World Series game

SAN FRANCISCO — The Babe, Mr. October, King Albert and now the Panda.

Pablo Sandoval improbably joined three baseball immortals on Wednesday night, clubbing home runs in each of his first three at-bats in Game 1 of the World Series. The San Francisco Giants third baseman  hit a solo home run off Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander on an 0-2 count in the first inning, a two-run home run off Verlander in the third inning and another solo shot off reliever Al Alburquerque in the sixth to make baseball history and give the Giants a 6-0 lead.

The list that Sandoval landed on with his triple display of power is a short and prestigious one: Albert Pujols achieved the same feat in Game 3 of the 2011 World Series while Reggie Jackson earned the title of Mr. October by doing it in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series. Babe Ruth is the only player to do it twice, managing a three home run game in both the 1926 and 1928 World Series. 

Sandoval, though a fan favorite for his short and stout frame, isn't exactly bound for the Hall of Fame. But his efforts against Verlander were definitely Cooperstown caliber. He's only the fifth player to hit two home runs in a game off the 2011 Cy Young winner and the sixth to hit a home run after falling behind 0-2 in the count. Sandoval has six home runs this postseason.

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