With Albert Pujols back in St. Louis, the Cardinals will look to provide a feverish finish to his Hall of Fame career
By Ryan K Boman | April 2, 2022
There’s just something about Cardinal red that makes the grass seem greener and the ball shine whiter. Along with that? All the warm sunshine and the beautiful arches truly remind us that baseball is still America’s Pastime.
That environment seems to be even brighter in 2022, as one of its most brilliant stars has returned to make this summer burn even hotter. And seeing those Birds on the Bat might be more fun to watch than ever because The Machine has officially returned.
The Cardinals have re-signed one of their greatest players ever, and you can expect a standing ovation on Opening Day from the best fans in baseball. Because in their minds? He never really left.
After departing The Gateway to the West for the red-hot California sun, Pujols will finish things off where it all started. It’s the perfect end to a magical story. In a place where the magic always somehow seems to make its presence felt… for some odd and wonderful reason.
A lot of amazing things happen at Busch Stadium. Much like it did for the 11 seasons that Pujols dominated the National League while winning three MVP awards and leading the team to two World Series titles. He left us with many historic memories before signing with the Los Angeles Angels a decade ago.
But now? ‘The Mang’ is back, and he’s got one last run in him.
With over 3,000 hits and 600 home runs, he’s a surefire Hall of Famer. But this year will be much more than that for Pujols. It will be the chance to cement his legacy and eventually receive his bronze statue outside on 700 Clark Avenue. It’s the ultimate walk-off.
Anyone who witnessed his return to Busch in 2019 could feel the loyalty that the faithful still have for him. They never forgot him, and the sea of red giving him a standing ovation was one of the most memorable moments in the franchise’s history.
Now, he will be able to retire with Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina as three of the best St. Louis players of all time. It’s very fitting, considering all the battles they won on the field together. A triumvirate of greatness reunited is quite a sight to see.
There’s a funny thing about the color red… It represents pure emotion. It gets you heated up like buying tickets for Spring Training or catching a foul ball on a July day.
It’s the blood that runs through your veins or the face you make when you are screaming your lungs out. Like the time that Albert hit three homers in the World Series or when he absolutely crushed Brad Lidge.
Win or lose? This will be a fun season to watch if you have grown up as part of Cardinals Nation. The sound of the ball hitting the bat or glove will be worth the price of admission. That environment will be extra special this season.
Because Albert Pujols came home to paint the town red one more time.
Ryan Boman is the former Owner & Editor-in-Chief of TheGorillaPosition.com and a freelance writer whose previous work has appeared at The Miami Herald, SB Nation, Fansided, and Yardbarker.
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