Albert Pujols earlier announced the 2022 MLB edition, to be his last season as a professional baseball player. But that didn’t pour cold water on his burning desire for success. He is presently the oldest active player in MLB. Regardless, Pujols has been playing with the same energy and enthusiasm as when he first began.?
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Albert Pujols began his MLB career, as the first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, back in 2001. Due to his clean hitting skills and brutal strength, he also often plays as the designated hitter. He also went on to play for the Los Angeles Angels and the Los Angeles Dodgers, respectively. Honorably, the 11-time All-Star player, Pujols won two World Series trophies with the Cardinals.?
BREAKING: #STLCards star Albert Pujols tells MLB (dot) com how he seriously contemplated retirement in June when he was struggling badly. Ultimately Pujols stuck it out, found his stroke & bashed his way to 703 HRs. Now he has a World Series in his sights. https://t.co/RNiYpcc1NI
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) October 7, 2022
Pujols returned to the Cardinals’ frame in 2022, to bid adieu to the sport with his symbolic team. However, his presently blazing form with the bat doesn’t portray him as any retiring player. He is still on course to breaking records and achieving milestones. However, Pujols’ spectacular turnaround only came in the second half of the tournament.?
Albert Pujols: Reigning supreme fighting through hurdles
Albert Pujols entered the ongoing edition post-declaration of retirement at the season’s end. He struggled throughout the first half and couldn’t hit a single home run in June. Seeing his troubles, he could have immediately retired, fearing a dip in his reputation. But Pujols didn’t retire and fought back to triumph as only champions can.?
A frustrated Pujols even contemplated retirement in June, but he still persisted and didn’t surrender. His determination proved fruitful as he smashed three home runs in July. Following on, he smashed eight home runs in August, seven home runs in September, and two home runs in October. All of a sudden, the Cardinals too prospered and got a wild card permit to contest in playoffs.?
Final reg season game for Albert Pujols. Look at his totals and all time rank
Games: 3,080 (5th)
Hits: 3,384 (9th)
HR: 703 (4th)
RBI: 2,218 (2nd)
Extra Base Hits: 1,405 (3rd)
Total Bases: 6,211 (2nd)
Go Ahead HR: 263 (1st)
Pitchers HR Against: 458 (1st)Simply put, the machine. pic.twitter.com/FcAFKX5Uux
— Cards Nation (@CardsNation13) October 5, 2022
Courtesy of Pujols’ home run frenzy, he achieved a unique high point in his career. He surpassed the 700th career total home run mark. Notably, Pujols is only the fourth player in baseball history with 700 or more home runs in his career.?
John Denton is an MLB columnist, who specializes in covering the Cardinals. Reporting on Pujols, Denton posted on his Twitter account,?writing, “St. Louis Cardinals star Albert Pujols tells MLB (dot) com how he seriously contemplated retirement in June when he was struggling badly. Ultimately Pujols stuck it out, found his stroke & bashed his way to 703 HRs. Now he has a World Series in his sights.”?
The Home Run King’s majestic season in his own words?
Pujols spoke about his sacred milestone achievement, saying, “When you have good people around you and they are encouraging you and you realize that God has opened so many doors for you, man, it puts things back into perspective. I decided, ‘I’m going to stick with it!’ I knew sooner or later it was going to come and turn around for me, because it can?t be like it was all year long.” ?
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Number 703 for the MACHINE
Albert Pujols has passed Babe Ruth for second all-time in RBI’s.
Legend. @Starting9
pic.twitter.com/O0kjvDSP8B— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 4, 2022
The baseball community and even more so, the Cardinals’ fans, in particular, are glad that Pujols stuck around.?
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Do you think Albert Pujols can retire with a World Series championship??