Posted on 05/06/2021 9:40:30 PM PDT by L.A.Justice
ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) — With only a few months remaining on his contract with the team, the Los Angeles Angels have designated Albert Pujols for assignment, a move which precedes his release from the club. The team announced the move on Thursday.
"The Angels Organization proudly signed Albert Pujols in 2011, and are honored that he has worn an Angels jersey for nearly half of his Hall-of-Fame Career," the Angels said in a tweet regarding the decision.
Pujols, 41, has seen his skills diminish in recent years with Los Angeles. Though his five home runs are nothing to scoff at for this stage of the summer, the rest of his productivity was not conducive to regular playing time in the Angels lineup. He had gotten off to a sluggish start to the 2021 season, posting a .198 batting average and .622 OPS.
Rumors and reports on an upcoming retirement for the former Cardinals superstar had circulated in the spring as Pujols entered the final year of his playing contract with the Angels. Though the clamoring on social media has already begun for Pujols to return to the Cardinals to finish his Hall of Fame career where it began, it's unclear whether either side would have genuine interest in such a reunion.
From a strict baseball perspective, the Cardinals aren't hurting for a defensively-limited first baseman hitting below .200 on the year. Nobody with much baseball sense would argue it as an ideal fit on the field.
From a nostalgia perspective—from a narrative perspective—a return to St. Louis would certainly mark a fitting ending to the playing career of the greatest Cardinal this side of Stan Musial.
Like non-alcoholic beer?
CC
Oh indeed :)
‘k, thx
losing it or mebbe never that fast to begin with
Mickey Mantle was not happy about staying around too long, he ended up at .297 and should have left earlier to stay in that over .300 hitter club.
“The Cardinals aren’t hurting for a defensively-limited first baseman hitting below .200 on the year.”
We already have one.
It’s not as bad as turkey bacon.
I always thought he should’ve stayed in St. Louis. Not many players stay with one team anymore, and he’s just one in a long line. He’s had an amazing career, though, and deserves any and all accolades.
I think it is a good thing that he played until he couldn’t without a retirement tour as some guys past their prime do. When he goes into the HoF, he will have no regrets.
He stayed one year too long. Interesting that even after ten years as an Angel he is described as the former Cardinals superstar. He had a great career. I think he was hanging on to try to get to a home run milestone.
Even Hall of Famers don’t know when to retire, everyone hates to admit they are losing a step, or worse.
Then you have politicians who serve 50 years, get early stage dementia, and their wife pushes them to run for President instead of retiring gracefully.
No shame in milking as much as possible from his career and the league.
Seems to be a nice guy, but Father Time wins again.
Consider this: the easiest way for Bonds to get back into MLB's (and the writers') good graces would have been to come forward as an all-out, LeBron-style BLM activist. Easy ticket to the Hall of Fame and daily appearances on ESPN. Instead, he hasn't said one word about politics, at least that I have heard.
Bonds can be a cranky and difficult man - but he has always gone his own way.
41?
Yeah right. Try closer to 45.
His wife wanted the left coast lifestyle.
I was glad he left. Not that I give a damn anymore about baseball, but hope the Cards aren’t stupid enough to try to get him. He should try the Royals or White Sox.
When Stan Musial was 41, he batted.330, 19 homeruns and 82 RBI. It was 1962.
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