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St. Louis Cardinals: Albert Pujols and the chase for history

By David Hill

Aug 14, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) receives a standing ovation from the fans after hitting a solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the second inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) receives a standing ovation from the fans after hitting a solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the second inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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St. Louis Cardinals legend Albert Pujols is going to be agonizingly close to an exclusive club at the end of the 2022 season.

After his two home runs on Sunday, Pujols has 689 homers in his career, the fifth most in major league history. Not only is he closing in on Alex Rodriguez for fourth on the list (696), but he is now 11 home runs away from becoming the fourth member of the 700 Home Run Club.

St. Louis Cardinals legend Albert Pujols showing enough for another year

The problem is that he is in a race against time. There are just a few short weeks left in the 2022 campaign, and theoretically, in Pujols’ career. He had announced that he will retire once the current season ends, his time in St. Louis a way to bring his career full circle. Such plans certainly made sense at the time as he was coming off of a mediocre 2021 campaign that included his being released by the Angels.

It turns out that there may still be a bit left in the tank after all. While he has essentially become a platoon player against lefties, he has been surprisingly solid this year, posting a 125 OPS+ with ten homers and nine doubles in his 212 plate appearances. Pujols has been able to provide a spark when he has been in the lineup as he has defied expectations.

That performance, even at 42 years old, would garner attention in free agency. He could still get a look as a platoon option as a designated hitter and first baseman if he was so inclined. The Cardinals themselves may even be interested in keeping him around in that role, especially as he inches ever closer to that 700 home run milestone.

In the end, it will come back to Pujols. He has battled foot issues for years, sapping his ability at the plate. However, with each home run he hits, and each step closer to that 700th major league homer, one has to wonder if he is having second thoughts about retiring and could come back for one more season.

Next. Chandler Redmond makes history. dark

St. Louis Cardinals legend Albert Pujols is closing in on 700 homers. The question is whether or not there is enough time left to get there.

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