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With 667 home runs, 10 All-Star Games, three MVP awards, two World Series rings, and a career that started with as the National League Rookie of the Year in 2001, we are talking about none other than Albert Pujols. At 41 years old, Pujols was released by the Angels on Thursday afternoon in the final year of his 10-year contract with Los Angeles.
Of course we all know Pujols spent 11 years in the Majors with the Cardinals, helping guide them to titles in 2006 and 2011. Pujols had an OPS over 1.000 in nine of his 11 seasons in St. Louis and averaged 40 home runs per season as a Cardinal. The news of Pujols’ release has got social media stirred up... especially in St. Louis.
What should the @Cardinals do about Albert Pujols?
— KMOXSports (@KMOXSports) May 6, 2021
More details: https://t.co/lfIujyoiR0#stlcards
I have no clue how it would work, and it probably wouldn’t roster-wise — but I’d be ok with #STLFLY signing Albert for one last hurrah this season.
— (@drewmaniac) May 6, 2021
For the romantic part of baseball. https://t.co/8kXj4mIava
With Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright also in the final years of their respective contracts, it makes sense why fans would love to see Pujols back in St. Louis, even if there isn’t really a ‘fit’. Word is that Pujols didn’t want to stay with the Angels if he wasn’t going to get consistent playing time. So, even with the countless memories that Pujols has had in St. Louis, would he really want to come back if he doesn’t have a starting spot here?
Pujols joining a different midwest team might actually make sense. It would reunite Pujols with another key piece of those Cardinal teams from more than a decade ago..
The White Sox feel like the perfect landing spot for Albert Pujols, who played for Tony La Russa from 2001-11 in St. Louis. Luis Robert's injury has opened a spot for a bat in Chicago.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) May 6, 2021
Rob Rains of the Stl Sports Page had another idea — with Pujols joining a different AL Central squad:
To me, the best spot for Albert Pujols to land is in Kansas City ... would end his career 10 minutes from where he grew up and he would sell tickets there too.
— Rob Rains (@RobRains) May 6, 2021