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

Life After Baseball

Retirement has treated Albert quite well according to him. In an interview with Bob Nightengale of USA Today in February of 2023, Albert made this very clear.

"People keep asking me if I miss it," said Pujols. "I don't miss a freakin' thing about it. I really don't. I've been playing baseball for 38 years of my life. Seriously, I don't miss it, dude. It was fun. I had a great career, but I am burned out." Clearly, Albert doesn't regret his decision to step away from the field following the 2022 season.

Pujols may have hung his cleats up, but he wasn't able to step away from the game itself. On June 5th, Albert was named a special assistant to Major League Baseball's commissioner, Rob Manfred. In this role, Albert would consult with the league regarding player relations and the league's relationship with his home country of the Dominican Republic.

Pujols has long been an advocate for the game, and he could now help it grow in his homeland thanks to his new role in the MLB offices. In addition to being a special assistant, Albert joined MLB Network as an on-air analyst

Albert has maintained his local St. Louis connections despite being seen on a more national scale. He still does magnificent work with his foundation, The Pujols Family Foundation. This organization hosts events throughout the year, and Albert ensures that St. Louis is represented with these fundraisers.

Perhaps the most memorable moment of Albert's post-playing career came at the end of the 2023 season. Adam Wainwright stayed one more year in baseball after Pujols and Yadier Molina retired, and the Cardinals wanted to recognize the man who had pitched for them for 17 seasons. To honor Wainwright, the organization had a retirement ceremony for him on the team's final game on October 1st.

In perhaps the greatest surprise of the season, Cardinal legends Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina came walking out of the dugout to honor their former teammate and best friend. Both players would eventually speak to Wainwright's career, and Pujols spoke glowingly about his former teammate as a person.

"I'm so blessed to be here and to celebrate with you this special moment," said Pujols. "We can talk about what you've done in the postseason. We can talk about all the accomplishments on the field. What might impress me the most and touched me the most is the person that you are. You are a great father, a great husband, and a great brother in Christ, and for me, that's what I appreciate the most about you."

Albert's speech at Wainwright's retirement ceremony was his final appearance in an event associated with the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He would continue his work off the field, but his connections to St. Louis weren't as evident anymore following that ceremony.

The hope for Albert Pujols to return to St. Louis remains strong amongst Cardinal fans. He will receive a statue outside of Busch Stadium someday, his number will be retired, and he will go down in St. Louis lore as one of the best to don the Birds on the Bat. His final year was memorable, and he will be remembered fondly for generations to come.