With Opening Day approaching fast, we got some news concerning the St. Louis Cardinals and the return of a franchise icon, Albert Pujols.
Pujols signed a one-year $2.5 million deal to come play in St. Louis for his final season in the big leagues, and it looks as though Cardinals fans are going to have an opportunity to watch him play early on in the season.
Cardinals manager Oli Marmol has said that Pujols will be in the lineup as the team’s designated hitter when they open up at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch adds that there is going to be some history involved when Pujols slots into the Cardinals lineup on Opening Day.
Albert Pujols will be at DH for opening day, Marmol says. 22nd consecutive start for him on opening day. #stlcards
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) April 4, 2022
Full Circle
Pujols made his debut for St. Louis in 2001 on Opening Day.
He has been in his team’s Opening Day lineup every season of his storied career.
Now, for his 22nd and final season, he gets one more Opening Day start before he rides off into the sunset.
This is a nice way for everything to come full circle for both Pujols and the Cardinals.
It will be a special treat for fans in attendance at Busch Stadium for Opening Day to see their legend step up to the plate.
It’s always great when fans get to be a part of history.
Those fans in attendance will get to watch Pujols make his 22nd consecutive Opening Day start.
This year looks to be a special year for the Cardinals, as Pujols, Yadier Molina, and likely Adam Wainwright will all retire at season’s end.
It would be fitting to see all three of them walk out together with another World Series title.
NEXT: Cardinals Manager Reveals Albert Pujols' Opening Day Role