Welcome back: Pujols returns home, finds fit with Cardinals
Albert Pujols is returning to St. Louis after agreeing to a one-year cope with the Cardinals, in response to revealed stories. JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — With a wave of his hand and a tip of the cap, Albert Pujols walked again into the world of the St. Louis Cardinals. Carrying a giant smile and his…
Albert Pujols is returning to St. Louis after agreeing to a one-year cope with the Cardinals, in response to revealed stories.
JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — With a wave of his hand and a tip of the cap, Albert Pujols walked again into the world of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Carrying a giant smile and his acquainted crimson No. 5 jersey, Pujols emerged from past the precise subject wall at Roger Dean Stadium between the primary and second innings of a sport in opposition to Houston on Monday.
Cardinals pitchers, catchers and coaches sitting on chairs far down the road stood to acknowledge the three-time NL MVP, as did the followers within the stands. Pujols strolled round to the St. Louis dugout on the third base facet, the place he was greeted with hearty hugs and high-fives.
All these years later, the slugger who helped the Cardinals win two World Collection championship was residence.
The Cardinals and Pujols agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract, giving him an opportunity to finish his profession within the place the place it began. He would earn $150,000 for World Collection MVP, $100,000 every for All-Star, Gold Glove, League Championship Collection and MVP, and $50,000 every for Silver Slugger and ending second and tenth in MVP voting.
The 42-year-old Pujols spent a part of Monday video conferencing with 39-year-old Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, his teammate throughout eight seasons in St. Louis.
“I’m comfortable for him to be right here,” Molina mentioned. “It’s going to be a enjoyable yr.”
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 Collection titles.
“We’ve solely received one factor in thoughts – profitable one other championship,” Molina mentioned.
Previous to Monday’s Graprefruit League sport, Cardinals heart fielder Harrison Bader posted a photograph on social media of what gave the impression to be a No. 5 Pujols jersey hanging in a Cardinals’ locker.
Pujols doesn’t swing practically as fearsome a bat as he did throughout his St. Louis hey-day, however the Cardinals determined they’ve a spot for a chosen hitter who can hit left-handed pitching.
That’s one factor Pujols nonetheless does effectively.
Pujols hit a mixed .236 for the Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers final season, however hit .294 with a .939 OPS in opposition to lefties.
Pujols wants 21 homers to change into the fourth profession main leaguer to hit 700 in a profession.
“Including somebody like that’s loopy vital,” first-year supervisor Oliver Marmol mentioned. “What he does with that clubhouse outdoors of his ability set is unbelievable.”
The deal brings Pujols again to the place he grew to become one of many sport’s strongest and harmful all-around hitters. The NL Rookie of the 12 months in 2001 hit no less than .300 with no less than 30 homers and 100 RBIs in every of his first 10 seasons in St. Louis.
A wildly fashionable participant in St. Louis, Pujols performed his final sport for the Cardinals on Oct. 28, 2011, a Sport 7 win over Texas within the World Collection.
Pujols received these three MVP awards and made 9 All-Star groups with the Cardinals earlier than signing a 10-year, $240 million cope with the Angels in 2012. He was waived by the Angels final Could whereas hitting .198, and signed with the Dodgers, for whom he hit 12 homers and drove in 38 runs in 85 video games.
With use of the designated hitter extending to the Nationwide League, the Cardinals discovered a match with Pujols as opening day on April 7 in opposition to Pittsburgh at Busch Stadium approached.
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