A friendly face stopped by the St. Louis Cardinals spring training facility in Jupiter, Florida on Thursday.
Veteran slugger Albert Pujols, who retired after the 2022 season, made his way to Cardinals camp to say hello to some of his old friends, including manager Oliver Marmol.
Pujols is currently operating under a personal services contract with the Los Angeles Angels, but took a little time to visit his old friends wearing the Birds on the Bat.
Marmol certainly enjoyed chatting with the three-time NL MVP and reigning Comeback Player of the Year, and didn’t hesitate to say as much when asked about his visit by Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
“It’s nice to talk to AP.” — Oliver Marmol on Albert Pujols’ visit to #stlcards camp today.
He’s here as spectator, visitor, not guest speaker. pic.twitter.com/cQQXLTTpqT
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) March 9, 2023
Pujols is certainly a welcomed presence with the Cardinals.
He spent the first 11 seasons of his MLB career with the Cardinals, winning a Rookie of the Year Award, two World Series titles, three MVPs, two Gold Gloves, a batting title, and six Silver Slugger Awards.
He also was the NLCS MVP in 2004.
After the Cardinals’ 2011 World Series run, Pujols left for the Angels and spent 10 seasons with the team before being let go and ultimately claimed by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
But he made his return to St. Louis last year and played out his final season alongside Yadier Molina, who also retired after the team’s postseason exit.
He reached 700 career home runs and even helped guide the Cardinals to their 13th NL Central title and first since 2019.
Pujols will always be loved in St. Louis by players, fans, and coaches alike, and was certainly a welcomed presence at Cardinals camp on Thursday.
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