Cardinals: Inside Albert Pujols’ playoff clinching speech

On Tuesday, the St. Louis Cardinals clinched a postseason berth, and Hall of Fame slugger Albert Pujols gave a heartfelt speech to his teammates.

This season could not have gone better for Albert Pujols. Not only did he eclipse 700 home runs, becoming the fourth player in baseball history to do so, but the St. Louis Cardinals have dominated this season — and on Tuesday, clinched a postseason berth.

It continues what has been a magical run for Pujols, Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright in what will be their last season’s playing together. Throughout the season, it’s been clear that each player — especially Pujols — has savored it more than in years past. And when the Cardinals clinched, Pujols gave a speech to his teammates as champagne was poured and beers were cracked.

After manager Oli Marmol addressed both Pujols and Molina, Pujols told his teammates: “What an honor. To come back here, to finish my career being in the playoffs, this is just one step guys. Just remember this moment. This is what we want to do and hopefully win the championship and bring it to the city of St. Louis. Enjoy it. Enjoy the night that we deserve. This is just one step. There is no better sacrifice than winning a championship. Just stay focused on that. We have one week left in the season. Just stay focused, finish strong. This is what we play for. … Let’s win a championship here, guys.”

With Pujols, Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt and a lineup full of sluggers, as well as a drastically improved pitching staff, the Cardinals are positioned for a potential surprise run. Doing so will take dethroning the Atlanta Braves and taking down the Los Angeles Dodgers, which will be no small tasks.

But the Cardinals are in the dance — and with Pujols, they have the leadership to pull it off. But they also have the talent throughout the entire roster to be a postseason matchup nightmare.