ST. LOUIS — Everybody has an opinion about what Albert Pujols should do next season.
That includes Yadier Molina.
“One more year! One more year!” the Cardinals catcher ribbed Thursday afternoon as media members circled Pujols following another magical moment.
“Yeah, I’ve been hearing one more year,” Pujols said. “Sure, I’ll be here one more year. I’m going to come and see Yadi and Waino pitch and yell something like, ‘Why didn’t you guys retire?’ Yeah. I’ll definitely be here, for sure. Watching these guys. From the stands. For sure.”
So, that means Molina is coming back?
“Maybe,” Pujols joked. “I don’t know. You didn’t see him throwing that throw to second?”
Said Molina, with a healthy dose of sarcasm: “Yeah, right.”
“It’s just fun,” Pujols said. “We are having fun. This is what we want, our last year, Yadi and myself. We just want to enjoy and embrace everything. I told you guys in spring training. I’m going to continue to tell you guys until my last game. This is awesome. It’s a blessing to be back here and just contributing to this organization. This year.”
Now, could Pujols change this stance? I suppose. And if he does, that would be great news for both the Cardinals and their fans.
If he doesn’t? What a one-year return this has become. What a final chapter is being written, with postseason pages left to spare. The newest addition came here Thursday, when Pujols turned a six-run Cardinals advantage against the Rockies into a Colorado avalanche by hopping off the bench in the third inning and hitting a pinch-hit grand slam. Four grown men in the left-field seats swarmed upon the ball like it was a bar of gold. Starter Adam Wainwright, who was once again terrific, experienced flashbacks to Pujols' 11 seasons here before his free-agent departure to Anaheim. He used to attempt to explain what that was like to younger teammates. Now they see.
The 690th home run of Pujols' 22-season career was his sixth as a pinch hitter and his 16th grand slam, but it marked his first pinch-hit grand slam in more than 3,000 games played.
There really is a first time for everything.
Rockies manager Bud Black seemed to know it was coming. He visited former Cardinals pitcher Austin Gomber on the mound before the at-bat, as the crowd noise swelled. What, exactly, are you supposed to tell a left-hander facing Pujols at this point? Especially when the bases are loaded at home. You tell him good luck, because he’s going to need it. Pujols is now averaging .363 with a .402 on-base percentage and a .700 slugging percentage against left-handed pitching this season. Seven of his 11 homers have come against southpaws.
Against righties, at least most of the time, the 42-year-old Pujols has a self-described role of a “grandpa” and “cheerleader” on the bench. Against lefties, he’s still Albert (ahem) Pujols. He’s making minds wonder and wander. Could he come back in this unique role? Would he?
Two very different questions. And there’s only one person with an opinion that matters. It's Pujols, and he sounds pretty convinced this is the end. He has from the start of the season. Don’t holler at the messenger.
But hey, perhaps the chase of 700 career homers could change his mind. He’s 10 away, and gaining steam. When Pujols was named to the All-Star Game as a special invitee of MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, it was clear to anyone familiar with what makes The Machine tick that his performance would ascend to the honor. And it has. Since he was swarmed by the best of the best during the Home Run Derby, he is averaging .415 with a .467 on-base percentage and an .854 slugging percentage. Not just against lefties. Against everybody.
Five total bases Thursday, which included a run-scoring single in the seventh against a right-handed pitcher, moved Pujols one behind Cardinals legend Stan Musial (6,134) for second all-time in total bases. He will get there.
And as predicted here at the break, Pujols is a good bet to pass Alex Rodriguez (696) for sole possession of fourth place on the all-time home run list. He needs seven more now, with 45 regular-season games to go.
Joining Barry Bonds, Henry Aaron and Babe Ruth in the 700-club still seems like a lot to ask without a 2023 return.
Back to that first question.
Yes, he could return. That doesn’t mean he wants to. But in terms of being able to do the job? Of course. There is no reason to think Pujols couldn’t keep doing exactly what he is doing, in this specific role, for another season after this one. He did it last season for the Dodgers. He’s doing it this season for the Cardinals. There is a need for hitters who mash left-handed pitching. It's a designated-hitter's world now. Pujols still terrifies lefties.
The Cardinals would be crazy to stiff-arm a Pujols retirement reversal if he became interested in one. He makes the team more money than he earns. Manager Oliver Marmol is using him effectively and would continue to do so. The worst case scenario would be that he goes cold or gets hurt, then retires instead of finishing out the 2023 season. That wouldn’t damage his legacy. The notion of his legacy being damaged now is, officially, nuts.
It’s fun to think about. I get it. No debate there. But what is being overlooked by those who go too far down this path is what Pujols himself says he wants. He said the day he showed up at spring training that this was it. One season to reunite with the Cardinals and the fans. One final ride with Molina and Wainwright, though Wainwright’s future remains undecided. One last shot at a championship. Leave it all on the field and walk away toward Cooperstown with a head held high. I would argue part of what is carrying Pujols down this remarkable home stretch is the fact he knows the end is near. To me, the idea of going out on a high note is hard to pass up. But it’s not up to me. It’s not up to anyone but Pujols.
Beg him to change his mind if you like. Maybe it could move him? But do yourself a favor and be sure to enjoy the gift that is the present, because it’s not promised tomorrow, let alone next season.
On a beautiful day at the ballpark where Wainwright dominated, and Molina threw out yet another baserunner silly enough to test his arm, and Pujols treated Cardinals fans to a rare first, it was understandable to want more.
The best understand it’s best to leave like that.
