By What every baseball fan wanted has come to fruition. Early Monday morning, it was confirmed that Albert Pujols is signing a one year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. The new universal designated hitter can be to thank, as the 42 year old does not have to play the field for the NL ball club.
Last year it seemed like it may be Pujols’s last season of playing in the MLB, but his story is going to have a better ending. Pujols spent his first 11 big league seasons with the Red Birds before leaving on a blockbuster (at the time) 10 year $240 million deal to the Los Angeles Angels. The deal was upsetting at the time, but I am sure Cardinals fans are glad that The Machine is finishing his Hall of Fame career where it all started. This signing brings some opportunities for Pujols and I wanted to reflect on just how good Prince Albert was in St. Louis.
Final Year of Pujols
Albert not only reunites with the Cardinals, but he is reuniting with some former teammates. Starting pitcher Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina have both been lifers on the Cardinals and Pujols will get the chance to finish his career with his longtime teammates. Additionally, Yadier Molina also declared that this will be the final season of his career. Now, Albert is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, if Yadi is also able to get in on his first ballot, the two friends could get inducted to Cooperstown in the same year. It may be a tall task as Molina has the potential of getting into the Hall, but him getting in on his first go-round might be a difficult sell to voters. Either way, at least Pujols and Molina will get their farewell tours with the franchise that will inevitably retire their respective numbers. And if 40 year old Adam Wainwright decides to also hang them up, we could get it for 3 franchise greats.
Milestone Watch
Albert’s final year also offers an exciting milestone watch. Pujols is currently just 21 home runs away from the career 700 mark. A feat only accomplished by 3 players in MLB history, Pujols would join the likes of Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, and Babe Ruth. You could say that is good company. Pujols figures to not be an everyday player at his age, but he should get a solid amount of at-bats at DH. He was able to hit 17 homers in 296 total plate appearances last season. At that rate, Pujols would need about 366 plate appearances to reach the 21 mark and join the 700 club. It may be a lot to ask of the 42 year old. But, if we could witness Pujols hit his 700th home run at Busch Stadium it would be truly special. He does only need 17 to tie and 18 to pass Alex Rodriguez and jump into 4th place. I hope nothing more than that he hits 21.
Pujols in St. Louis
Albert spent his first 11 seasons with the Cards, and those 11 seasons alone made him a Hall of Famer. He would play at least 143 games every one of those 11 seasons, playing at least 157 games 7 times. They called him The Machine for a reason. Pujols would win 3 NL MVPs and place top 5 on 7 occasions. Of those 7 he placed top 3 in 5 of them. He won Rookie of the Year, 2 Gold Gloves, 6 Silver Sluggers, and was an All-Star 9 times. Pujols had a career line of .328/.420/.617, which makes a 1.037 OPS. He had 445 home runs, 1,329 RBIs, 455 doubles, and 2,073 hits overall. He would also win 2 World Series in 2006 and 2011. Very impressive you could say.
When you look at it in a nutshell it is one of the greatest stretches any player has ever had. He achieved all of that before turning 32. Now, his career after he left did not go according to plan as injuries and age took a toll on his overall output. I, like many Cardinals fans, wish Pujols never left St. Louis. He should have been one of those guys to spend their whole career with one organization. Albert preferred the money and allure of LA at that point in time and he did not owe St. Louis anything. But, it is what makes him coming back to finish it with the Cardinals that much better. Albert Pujols might be the best player I have been alive to see. I hope he hits the needed 21 homers this year. And I am glad he is finishing his career with the Cardinals the right way.
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