Pujols returns to Cards for one final go-round
JUPITER, Fla. — With a wave of his hand and a tip of the cap, Albert Pujols walked back into the Cardinals’ world for a final season.
‘‘This is it for me,’’ Pujols, 42, said Monday. ‘‘This is my last run.’’
Wearing a big smile and his familiar red No. 5 jersey, Pujols emerged from beyond the right-field wall at Roger Dean Stadium between the first and second innings of a spring-training game against the Astros.
Cardinals pitchers, catchers and coaches sitting on chairs far down the line stood to acknowledge the three-time National League MVP, as did the fans in the stands. Pujols strolled around to the Cardinals’ dugout on the first-base side, where he was greeted with hearty hugs and high-fives.
‘‘I had to put a little smile on,’’ Pujols said. ‘‘I was getting a little emotional.’’
All these years later, the slugger who helped the Cardinals win two World Series championships was home. The Cardinals and Pujols agreed to terms on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, giving him a chance to end his career in the place where it started.
‘‘Seldom does one get to share in watching or being a part of living history,’’ Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak
said in a statement. ‘‘From the day we called Albert’s name in the draft room back in 1999 to now, as we set our sights on 2022, this reunion just makes sense in so many ways.’’
Pujols spent part of the day on a video conference with 39-year-old Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, his previous — and new — teammate with the Cardinals.
‘‘I’m happy for him to be here,’’ said Molina, who likely will be playing his final season, too. ‘‘It’s going to be a fun year.’’
Pujols played the first 11 seasons of his career — 2001-11 — with the Cardinals, teaming with Molina to lead them to the 2006 and 2011 World Series titles.
‘‘We’ve only got one thing in mind: winning another championship,’’ Molina said.
Pujols doesn’t swing nearly as fearsome a bat as he did during his heyday, but the Cardinals decided they have a spot for a designated hitter who can hit left-handed pitching.
That’s one thing Pujols still does well. He hit a combined .236 for the Angels and Dodgers last season, but he hit .294 with a .939 OPS against lefties.
‘‘I think I am here for a reason,’’ Pujols said. ‘‘They believe I can still play this game.’’
Pujols needs 21 home runs to become the fourth big-leaguer to reach 700. Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth are the others.