Albert Pujols Is A Bargain For St. Louis Cardinals While Writing Amazing Ending To Career

Albert Pujols was arguably the most overpaid player in Major League Baseball at the start of the 2021 season. As the 2022 season reaches its final weeks, the 42-year-old slugger is one of the game’s best values.

Pujols’ transformation has been stunning.

A little more than a year ago he looked like a broken-down player at the end of the line of what has surely been a Hall of Fame career. Despite his $30-million salary in the final year of a 10-year, $240-million contract, the Los Angeles Angels released Pujols after he hit .198/.250/.372 with five home runs in 24 games in 2021.

Now, Pujols is a key player for the St. Louis Cardinals, who lead the National League Central by eight games over the Milwaukee Brewers.

When the Cardinals signed a one-year, $2.5-million contract, it was a feel-good story. The slugger was returning to the franchise for which he starred from 2001-11.

Yet St. Louis bringing him back seemed more like a nice gesture than adding a player who would provide a major spark in a pennant race.

However, Pujols is hitting a robust .346/.393/.803 with 11 home runs in 28 games since Aug. 10.

Pujols is also making history as he moved past Alex Rodriguez into fourth place on the MLB all-time home run list when he connected for No. 697 on Sunday against the Pirates in Pittsburgh. It came in dramatic fashion as the two-run shot in the top of the ninth inning put the Cardinals ahead 3-2 in a game they won 4-2.

“There’s impressive and then there’s unbelievable,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “What we’re witnessing right now is legendary. You have to take a step back from managing the game and take it all in.”

Pujols needs just three home runs to reach 700 and the Cardinals have 21 games left. His teammates understand they are watching history in action.

“It’s like we’re living in a dream,” veteran left-hander Jose Quintana said. “It seems like everyday he is doing something else that is just amazing. It’s like he’s playing better than he ever has.”

Pujols is playing like a man much younger than 42. In fact, it seems as if he has found a way to turn back the hands of time.

However, Marmol says there is no secret for Pujols’ success beyond hard work.

“When you show up to the stadium he’s there before anybody else’s there,” Marmol said. “You watch his preparation, what he does in the weight room, what he does in batting practice then it makes sense and he’s done that for two decades. Right now, what we’re witnessing is legendary. It’s really fun to watch.”

Pujols was a three-time NL MVP, nine-time All-Star and 2001 NL Rookie of the Year during his first 11 years with the Cardinals, He also helped St. Louis win two World Series.

It would have been nearly impossible to duplicate that success in the next 10 seasons with the Angeles and Pujols did not come close. He received MVP votes in just three seasons and never finished higher than fifth in the balloting while making only one All-Star Game appearance.

Injuries helped cut into Pujols’ production. However, those close to Pujols say he was never completely happy in Anaheim but regained a spark last season after signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Pujols is having fun playing baseball now, though he insists he is sticking to his plan to retire at the end of the season.

Pujols has always been reluctant to talk about personal goals and statistics and he says his primary focus is on getting the Cardinals into the postseason. However, he does admit to taking a few moments to enjoy what has become an amazing final act.

“This opportunity only comes once and it’s something that’s a gift God has given me, and I try to take advantage of it every single day,” Pujols said. “I’m not only making memories for me but for the fans, my family and people who love me. At the end of the day, it’s pretty awesome and we’re playing great baseball and have a great group of teammates.”