JUPITER, FL – With a movement of his hand and a tip of the cap, Albert Pujols returned to the world of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Carrying a giant smile and his acquainted pink No. 5 jersey, the Pujols emerged from behind the right-court wall at Roger Dean Stadium between the primary and second half of a sport towards Houston on Monday.
Pitchers, Cardinals, anglers and coaches seated on chairs removed from the road stood as much as acknowledge the three-time NL MVP, as did the followers within the stands. The Pujols wandered across the St. Louis hideout on the facet of Third Base, the place they have been greeted with heartfelt embraces and fives.
In any case these years, he was the participant who helped the Cardinals win two World Championships in his homeland.
The Cardinals and Pujols attain an settlement on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, giving him an opportunity to finish his profession the place he began.
The 42-year-old Pujols spent a part of the video chats on Monday with Yadier Molina, a veteran St. Louis hunter. The 2 spent eight years as teammates.
“I am glad he is right here,” Molina mentioned. “It will likely be an fascinating 12 months.”
Pujols performed the primary 11 years of his profession in St. Louis, teaming with Molina to steer the Cardinals to the 2006 and 2011 World Championship titles.
“We solely have one factor in thoughts – to win one other championship,” Molina mentioned.
Forward of Monday’s Grapefruit League sport, Cardinals midfielder Harrison Bader posted a photograph on social media of what seemed to be a Pujols No. 5 shirt hanging within the Cardinals locker.
The Pujols do not swing almost as fearsome bats as they did throughout the St. Louis heyday, however the Cardinals determined that they had room for a selected hitter who may hit the left pitch.
That is one factor Pujols nonetheless works nicely for.
The Pujols had a mixed 0.236 for the Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers final season, however hit 0.294 with a 0.939 OPS towards the lefties.
Pujols wants 21 homers to turn into the fourth main participant to succeed in 700 in his profession.
“Including somebody like that is essential,” mentioned Oliver Marmol, Senior Common Supervisor. “What he is doing with this membership outdoors of his ability set is unbelievable.”
The deal brings Pujols again to the place he has turn into one of many sport’s strongest and most harmful hitters. The NL Rookie of the 12 months in 2001 grossed not less than 0.300 with at least 30 homers and 100 RBIs in every of his first 10 seasons in St. Louis.
Pujols, a highly regarded St. Louis participant, performed his final sport with the Cardinals on October 28, 2011, a Sport 7 win over Texas on the World Championships.
The Pujols gained all three MVP awards and made 9 All-Star groups with the Cardinal earlier than signing a 10-year, $240 million take care of the Angels in 2012. He was waived by the Angels this previous Could whereas hitting .198, and signed with the Dodgers, who hit 12 Wreck and led 38 runs in 85 video games.
With the Nationwide League now adopting the DH rule, the Cardinals have discovered a match with the Pujols as opening day approaches on April 7 towards Pittsburgh at Busch Stadium.
