St. Louis Cardinals Superlatives for the 2022 Season

May 23, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (46) is congratulated by teammates at home plate after hitting a walk-off grand slam against the Toronto Blue Jays during the tenth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (46) is congratulated by teammates at home plate after hitting a walk-off grand slam against the Toronto Blue Jays during the tenth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 22: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run in the ninth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on May 22, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 22: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run in the ninth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on May 22, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Best Story: The Return of Albert Pujols

Everyone loves a good homecoming (keeping with the high school vibes) and none has been more exciting than Albert Pujols returning to St. Louis this season.

The Machine was brought in for a purpose though: to mash lefties, and that he has done. In 29 PAs against southpaws, Pujols has raked to the tune of a 1.141 OPS. Many experts thought this was more of a cute reunion than a productive piece, but Pujols has proved those doubters wrong.

But let’s be honest, his sentimental return is what we all really care about. Every time Pujols comes to the plate, or even the mound lately, it feels like another memory that will live forever in Cardinal lore. Fans will hope and can even expect Pujols to remain an elite platoon option against lefties, but the majority of this ride is about the nostalgia and the memories.