The Path to 700: Albert Pujols's Farewell to St. Louis

The All-Star Break and Home Run Derby

The grueling 162-game season can be separated at multiple moments; it's sometimes divided at the All-Star Game, MLB's midsummer classic that features the game's best and brightest stars in a variety of themed events. This break that typically falls in the middle of July presents players with an opportunity to hit reset on the season and rest for the remainder of the year.

For a select few, however, the break is full of festivities. For Albert, the month of July and the All-Star Break was a rollercoaster of emotions.

After admitting that he considered retiring early following the months of May and June, Pujols sat down with manager Oliver Marmol during a series in Atlanta in early July. Pujols told his manager, someone with whom he was quite familiar, that he had a desire to retire early. Pujols believed that his departure from the team would open up opportunities for other players and allow the team to make a push for the playoffs.

Marmol had other plans for the future Hall of Famer.

When reflecting on this experience recently, Pujols spoke glowingly about Marmol's effect on his final season. "I think a lot about our relationship ... This is a guy who knows the game really well ... I respect the way (Marmol) treated me. I respect the way that we went about my last season. There was a time before the All-Star Break that I went into the office in Atlanta, and I was like 'Hey, man, I'm done. I just want to go home. I don't think I'm doing any good for the team.' He really was the guy that kind of like talked me into finishing the season," said Pujols in an interview with Tom Ackerman of KMOX recently.

Without Marmol's sage advice, fans would have never seen Albert reach the 700-home run milestone or put on a show in the Home Run Derby in 2022.

Following his conversation with Marmol, Pujols agreed to be featured in the Home Run Derby, a display of the game's biggest boppers in one location. On July 17th, the first day of the All-Star Break, Albert agreed to be a part of the Derby. “It’s pretty awesome and I’m pretty blessed to be able to do it,” Pujols said of the event. “Hopefully I can put on a good show for the fans.” In an interview with Tom Ackerman, Pujols said, "I'm just really excited to be back here, and to have the opportunity to be in the Derby once again."

He would go on to do just that.

Pujols had a tough draw in the first round against Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber, fresh off a massive contract deal with the Philadelphia Phillies that offseason, would go on to lead the National League in home runs in 2022 with 46. It would take a one-minute tiebreaker, but Pujols's 20 home runs would be enough to edge out Schwarber's 19. Prior to the tiebreaker, Pujols was recognized by dozens of current players for his performance; this collection of stars was a sight to see.

Albert lost to the eventual winner, Juan Soto, in the next round, but he sure put on a show at the Derby. He would use this experience to launch him into a second-half run that mirrored some of his best years in the 2000s.