Sep 9, 2021; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Albert Pujols (55) looks on from the dugout during the seventh inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
MLBBy Sean Keeley on

In 2011, Albert Pujols left the St. Louis Cardinals to play for the Los Angeles Angels, ending an 11-year stretch that saw him hit 445 home runs and rack up monstrous stats. Now, 11 years later, he’s coming back home to, presumably, end his Major League Baseball career with the team he’ll be remembered most for.

According to The Athletic’s Katie Woo, the Cardinals and Pujols are finalizing a one-year deal for the slugger to return.

Pujols’ initial run with the Cardinals included making the postseason in seven seasons and winning the World Series in 2006 and 2011. His tenure with the Angels started strong but his numbers faded over the back half of a ten-year, $254 million contract and he was released by the team last year. He quickly signed on with the Los Angeles Dodgers where he saw limited action in a platoon role.

It’s likely that Pujols will see a similar role with the Cardinals this season, his 22nd in the big leagues. While Paul Goldschmidt will handle first-base duties, the three-time MVP will more likely serve as a late-inning power hitter and potential DH.

The 10-time All-Star doesn’t have much left to prove in his Hall-of-Fame career. He’s already a member of the 3,000-hit, 600-homer club. He’s currently fifth on the all-time home runs list and 17 back of A-Rod for 4th place. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that he could get there.

There’s always the chance that this ends the same way his time with the Angels ends. But even if he’s back in Cardinals red for only a few months, it’ll be a welcome sight for St. Louis fans. And if he can create more magical moments like his return to Busch Stadium last season, that’ll be a nice bonus.

And in the meantime, there were plenty of positive reactions to the reunion on social media.

[Katie Woo]

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.

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