Albert Pujols’ career may be over, but it was full of legendary moments.
But one series in particular stands out among others.
In June of 2019, Pujols was a member of the Los Angeles Angels.
On June 21, the veteran slugger made his return to Busch Stadium for the first time since he departed the St. Louis Cardinals in free agency.
As is common at Busch Stadium when a former Cardinal makes his return as a visiting player, the fans in St. Louis gave their three-time National League MVP and two-time World Series champion a standing ovation.
Pujols hugged catcher Yadier Molina and tipped his helmet to the Busch Stadium faithful.
On Twitter, a Cardinals fan recalled this touching moment.
#OTD 2019 – On his first return trip to Busch Stadium, Albert Pujols receives a warm welcome from the Cardinals fans, receiving standing ovations during warm-ups, a scoreboard tribute, and his first three at-bats, before a getting curtain call upon leaving the game. #STLCards pic.twitter.com/YAXbuciXST
— Augie Nash | 🇺🇸 (@AugieNash) June 21, 2023
Pujols had not appeared in a game at Busch Stadium since Game 7 of the 2011 World Series.
He departed for the Angels in free agency less than two months later.
However, there was no animosity between Pujols and Cardinals fans.
The veteran slugger gave the fans in St. Louis years of memories they’ll never forget, and the fans in attendance welcomed him back as if he were still one of their own.
The next day, Pujols even hit a home run off of starter Dakota Hudson, which sent the crowd into a frenzy before he stepped out of the Angels dugout to tip his cap to the fans in St. Louis.
Three years later, the future Hall-of-Famer returned to the Cardinals to wrap up his legendary career, as he rode off into the sunset with Molina.
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