Albert Pujols Aug 20, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) looks on against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the eighth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been pretty clear since the start of the 2022 Major League Baseball season that this would be the final year for St. Louis Cardinals star Albert Pujols. But as the legendary slugger approaches 700 home runs in the final days of the season, some fans began to wonder if he would consider returning for one more season to chase the elusive home run total.

Even though Pujols could finish the season just a few home runs shy of becoming just the fourth player ever to hit 700 home runs in his career, the St. Louis Cardinals star said he still plans to retire after this season regardless of how many home runs he hits.

“I’m still going to retire, no matter whether I end up hitting 693, 696, 700, whatever,” Pujols told USA Today Sports. “I don’t get caught up in numbers. If you were going to tell me 22 years ago that I would be this close, I would have told you that you’re freakin’ crazy. My career has been amazing.”

Reaching the total once felt like a longshot as the slugger had only six homers in the first half of the season, but Pujols currently has 692 career home runs after hitting five home runs in his past five games. With 43 games left in his career, it’s certainly possible he reaches the mark.

[USA Today Sports]