The champagne was on ice and plastic covered the walls of the St. Louis Cardinals clubhouse Tuesday night, but the team refused to celebrate until a certain somebody said their piece.
It was time for Albert Pujols to address his teammates, as he celebrated the final postseason berth of his legendary career.
Pujols thanked his Cardinals teammates and had some words of wisdom as well, reminding them that winning the NL Central was just their first step and that more work lies ahead.
Pujols also relayed to his teammates that there is no better feeling in the world than bringing home a World Series title.
After he was done speaking, Pujols popped the cork on the first champagne bottle, and the celebration began.
Albert Pujols tells his teammates the job isn’t done yet
Pujols’s last dance with the Cardinals is a “honor” pic.twitter.com/ahbRAihBDq
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 28, 2022
The Machine Kicks Off The Celebration
The Cardinals are lucky to have Pujols with them for one last ride.
If they end up winning the World Series this year, they’ll send him and catcher Yadier Molina out in style.
But this speech by Pujols covered all the bases.
He made sure to thank his teammates and tell them to enjoy the moment, but also reminded them that they have unfinished business and that the goal is to bring a World Series title back to St. Louis.
The Cardinals’ last title came in 2011, the year before Pujols ultimately walked and joined the Los Angeles Angels.
A veteran voice like Pujols is one that every good team needs to have in order to be successful.
Pujols has been here before, as have Molina and Adam Wainwright.
They’ve all been at the center of some of the greatest moments in Cardinals history.
Now, they have a chance for more.
Can they bring title No. 12 back to St. Louis?
NEXT: Nolan Arenado Comments On His First Division Title