When Albert Pujols returned to the Cardinals, everyone was happy. That said, there was still something left unsaid: we hoped it wouldn’t be too many seasons.
After all, he hadn’t been bad with the Dodgers, but for several years he hadn’t really been able to advance in Anaheim.
And in the first half of the 2022 season, he was not very successful. Pujols had only four long balls to his name after three months (17 shy of 700) and he never got the ball in play. He had nothing to do with the excellent hitter of the last few months.
And what we learn is that Pujols almost retired last June because of his performance. He came very close, according to what he said.
The people around him convinced him to stay, he worked hard to regain his form and in early July, before the home run contest, he hit two long balls.
He hadn’t knocked one in June, the good Albert…
The long ball contest energized him and he subsequently became the player he should be again. We obviously know the rest in his case: he hit his 700th home run and he ended his legendary career with 703 bombs on the clock.
And today, for the first time since 2011, the Cardinals can count on Albert Pujols in a playoff game. And I see them go far…
