No, the Pujols returned to the Red Cardinals to try to become one of the game’s most feared sluggers and are here to help St. Louis. Louis to push for another World Series championship, he said repeatedly on Monday after returning to his former team in a one-year deal. The terms of the deal have not been announced, but it is worth $ 2.5 million, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. Time will tell if the 42-year-old Pujols can muster the same magic he had during his previous career with the Cardinals from 2001-11, when he won two championships, three MVP awards and a 10-year hitting streak. .300 and breaking 30 or more home run. That, Pujols said with the steely glow and guided mentality that became synonymous during his first trip to St. Louis. Louis, is the only thing he hopes to escape from this final route with the jersey that includes the birds in the bat. “For me, I think I’m here for a reason,” said Pujols, who came off the right-hand fence at Roger Dean Stadium earlier in the day and walked from the foul line to join the Cardinals’ dugout teammates. in The 2-1 defeat by Astros. “They think I can still play this game and they think I can help this organization win a championship. I also believe in that. ” The Pujols – arguably one of the best players in the Cardinals’s rich history, alongside Hall of Famers Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock and Ozzie Smith – are back in the franchise as catcher Yadier Molina turns 19. and last season, and pitcher Adam Wainwright could also leave. Wainwright, who allowed two runs on four hits in five innings on Monday, believes the Pujols will be on a mission to show he has plenty more in the tank as a striker. “He seems to be in good shape and motivated,” said Wainwright, who noted that Pujols woke him up from his nap on Monday with a “bear hug.” “Every time Albert is motivated, it is a very, very dangerous thing,” Wainwright said. “He is motivated to show people that he is not too big or over the hill. I do not think he wants this to be nostalgic. he wants to go out and prove something. This chip is good to put on your shoulder. It’s nice to be loved, this is a nice thing, and no one is more beloved than him. “But he wants to prove himself.” Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt Jr. saw an immediate response from the Pujols’ addition – spotted a No. 5 fan wearing his shirt as he entered the team’s home on Monday morning. DeWitt Jr. described the signature as “the culmination of spring”. The Pujols enter the 21st season at home with 700 – with much of that damage coming from his historic 11-season career with the Cardinals. He reached 0.328 and won 445 home games with the Redbirds, was named All-Star nine times and twice won the Gold Glove Award. Pujols, who left St. Louis in 2011 to sign a 10-year, $ 240 million free agent contract with the Angels, had emotional returns to St. Louis. Louis in recent years while playing for Anaheim and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He said the numerous applauses he received from Cardinals fans – both before and after the removal of current Cardinal Dakota Hudson in 2019 and JA Happ last season – allowed him to dream again of a possible return to St. Louis. Louis to end his career. “There was always hope, so you never close the door,” Pujols said. “The organization never closed the door on me, nor did I ever close the door. It is a great opportunity. Everything always happens in God’s time, and it’s the perfect moment right now. I’m back here and I’m really excited. “ Wainwright, Pujols teammate at St. Louis from 2005-11, said the games at Busch Stadium in recent years have put him in a rather awkward position. On the one hand, he wanted to be supportive of his Cardinals pitchers teammates, but he was also very happy for his close friend. “We have never had any strong feelings,” said Wainwright, who has admitted to pressing management in recent days to sign Pujols again. “It seemed like a lot of time had passed with the fans and it looked like it was water under the bridge. “They were glad to see him and when he achieved that home run, he was just the most Albert ever became. Dakota throws throws, and throws bowling alleys and Albert picks up one. In the dugout I tried not to smile. I was like, ‘My God, my teammate just quit a home game, but this is one of the nicest things I’ve ever seen. “It really smells like Dakota, but it’s very nice for Albert.” I did not know what to do. “But that was Albert.” As if he needed some extra motivation, Pujols said knowing that this will be his last season will lead him to finish in style – hopefully a World Series trophy will rise above his head. “This is for me, this is my last run,” Pujols said honestly. “These kids, [Molina and Wainwright], had a great influence on me and we have a great history together. Now, we want to add to our story. Let’s hope that we will succeed this year and raise this championship trophy. “If we can do that, it would be really special for us.”
