St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) walks back to the dugout after popping out in the second inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, April 24, 2022. The Reds led 3-0 after two innings. St Louis Cardinals At Cincinnati Reds

After Albert Pujols was hilariously caught trying to steal a base in April, it appeared as though his base-stealing days were over. That was not the case.

Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals were taking on the New York Mets on Wednesday, with Max Scherzer on the mound for New York. Scherzer does many things well. But like so many strikeout pitchers, he can tend to lose focus of runners when they reach base. Particularly, once Scherzer comes set, his next move will almost assuredly be to the plate and there will be little — if any — focus on the runner.

Pujols noticed this and when he reached first base in the fourth inning, took advantage of Scherzer’s lack of attention. Not only did Pujols steal second but he did so without a throw.

Those in the MLB world were quick to honor the stolen base prowess of the 42-year-old slugger.

With the steal, Pujols became the oldest Cardinal to steal a base since another St. Louis icon, Stan Musial.

While Pujols has always been known for his power, he was a good base stealer at one time. This was Pujols’ 117th career steal and he has reached double-digit stolen base totals three times in his career (16 in 2005 and 2009, 14 in 2010). But those days are long over. The last time Pujols stole even five bases in a season was in 2015.

Fortunately for Scherzer, it didn’t end up being that costly. On the next pitch of the at-bat, Scherzer got Yadier Molina to line out to center field, ending the inning.

But while it didn’t amount to much on the scoreboard, the stolen base will no doubt give Pujols on his former teammate.

[Bally Sports Midwest, Jim Passon]

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