It was a great story. Albert Pujols was heading back to the St. Louis Cardinals, the Prodigal Son having returned. This was a situation where the storyline may be better than the reality, as Pujols is essentially a platoon player at this stage in his career. However, as he had announced that he would retire at the end of the 2022 season, his final season being with the Cardinals was a perfect capstone to a Hall of Fame career.
On Tuesday, Pujols turned back the clock. In just his second game of the season, and second back home at Busch Stadium, he launched a solo homer in the first inning against Daniel Lynch.
It's been 3,855 days since Albert Pujols last hit a home run in Busch as a Cardinal! pic.twitter.com/VZh3kPTRBP
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) April 13, 2022
St. Louis Cardinals get perfect moment from Albert Pujols
He is no longer being counted on to be a vital part of the Cardinals’ lineup. At this point, Pujols is a platoon player who will get starts against left handed pitching as he still has the ability to punish southpaws. That was clear during the first inning when he launched Singer’s offering deep to left.
Pujols was still dangerous against lefties last season despite his other struggles. He hammered left handed pitching for a .294/.336/.603 batting line in his 146 plate appearances, hitting 13 homers. He has a part to play with the Cardinals, either as a platoon option at the designated hitter spot or as a dangerous option in a pinch hitting role.
That home run was certainly welcome for other reasons as well. Pujols had been hitless in his first game for the Cardinals, failing to reach base in his five plate appearances. But he still has flashes of that power, which he was able to show on Tuesday.
Albert Pujols was able to turn the clock back for one plate appearance. That power is why the St. Louis Cardinals brought him back home.