How Albert Pujols SAVED His Legacy 

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If Pujols isn't a unanimous hall of famer, then no one is.

As a life long Cardinals fan in my hometown of St Louis, I was able to witness his first ten years+ of excellence first hand, I even had a corner office at 8th & Market to where during day games I would hear the homerun fireworks and then peek out of the window to see the replay of his homerun on the Jumbotron at Busch Stadium but, what totally blew me away was his 2009 season and specifically his 5 grand slams, for which I believe he had all 5 before the Allstar break, "Simply Amazing" :)

I'm from St. Louis, so my favorite memory was that insane game he had in the 2011 WS. It was his last truly great moment in his first run with the team.

Pujols did enough in his 1st 10 seasons to be a 1st ballot hall of famer, when he left the Cardinals after the 2011 season he already had over 400 homer runs, my best memory of Pujols was in game 3 of the 2011 World Series where he went 5 for 5 with 3 HRs along with a double, it's still to this day the most total bases ever recorded for a game in World Series history, in his prime he was a 1 man wrecking crew especially vs the Cubs

I was at work when that game against the dodgers was going on and me and a buddy were texting about how people would be mad about pujols hitting 700 in a game that was exclusive to apple tv. I opened gamecast only twice that night. The first time was when just before hit hit 699. And the second was right as he hit 700. I freaked out and told everyone around me about him hitting the milestone. I was the only baseball fan there but i still had to talk about it. He is by far my all time favorite athlete from any sport and will always be my favorite. He is the greatest player i have ever watched in my life. As a lifelong cards fan that season was magical and i never saw 700 even being possible with him only being a lefty specialist at first. But that HR derby changed everything. Beating schwarber brought the machine back.

as disappointed as it was with almost the entirety of his stay in Anaheim I was pleased he went on to go out stronger with the Dodgers and Cardinals. He arrived at the Angels hurt, and he stayed hurt the entire time he was there. But as disappointing as his performances routinely were he always seemed like a good guy that you want to root for

My favorite Pujols moment was when he hit a ball off Brad Lidge so hard it went to the shadow realm.

Pujols has been my favorite player since I was 10 or 11 years old, and enjoyed watching and following him even when he played for the Angels and Dodgers. My favorite memory is from the 2022 season. My best friend and I flew to St. Louis, and on that Sunday game against the Phillies, he hit his 684th homer

The fact that he was happy to be back home in St. Louis played a huge part in his comeback. He was back where the fans and team truly love him. Mental attitude is everything.

love Pujols (not a Cards fan). So glad he was able to make a comeback and join the extremely exclusive 700 club.

Was just old enough to remember things like the Lidge Homerun and the iconic plays and series he was involved in with my Redbirds since. Seeing him come back was a treat enough dude. I was optimistic (relative to people I talked to) and I barely saw him catching A-Rod. After the first half was over? Forget about it. Purely magical return!

Albert is one of my favorite players ever. I saw him homer twice to MadBum in Phoenix, 691 and 692 i believe. I will never forget that day.

2011 season. My friend Rick and I had Coca Cola scoreboard patio seats. Beautiful summer evening at Busch. Cards were down 2 runs in the 7th. Pujols cracks a 3 run shot thats lands 20 feet away from us. Awesome moment.

He stayed because he loved playing the game, thank you Albert 🫡

Probably one of my favorite memories was 2005 when he broke Brad Lidge in Houston on that “dramatic towering” homerun

Your videos are phenomenal brother

Sitting on the 3rd base side a Pittsburgh with my 2 sons and their 1st baseball game ever and seeing Albert hit number 696 was the best!!!

Beautiful video! Well produced and I love the content. Keep it up!

Liked, subscribed & added it to my Cardinal Baseball playlist!

Great breakdown in this video, brother!

Your videos are always great man. Really good content. As a cards fan Albert has always been one of my favorite players, was so happy he got to 700 with us. Wish it would have lasted one more year I get to go see them next month.

He should be unanimous and growing up as a cardinals fan (I can remember as far back as 2002) my favorite memory has to be the craziness you just showed. Second half of 2022. It's on bug unbelievable blur

Flew all the way from az to st louis to watch the cards play the giants. Unfortunately, the cards walloped my team, I did get to see pujols' pitching debut though! Crowd was electric when he took the mound.

Im a st.louis kid growing up during his reign of terror in the 2000s as Micheal Jordan is too Chicago, Albert pujols is to st.louis. anyway I remember in 2008? (Not positive about the year) It was past my bed time and my dad was letting me stay up late to watch the end of cubs v cardinals game that had dragged into the 11th inning Albert comes to the bag and some random cubs pitcher throws a nasty breaking pitch looking to go the 12th. It didn't matter. Pujols took this thing 400ft over the ivy to walk off the redbirds at Wrigley something I'll never forget

I grew up hearing Albert Pujols coming to Anaheim. I was very young when he first did. People say all the time that his contract was one of the worst ever made for the team and in the whole MLB. To me, I didn't think so one bit. Years later, when he reached 500 home runs, I told my father that he would reach 700 home runs. He laughed as the others did for his age, speed, and every negative thing people have said. I told him that Albert is a one of kind player you will want to see in your lifetime. It was always fun to see Albert play in Anaheim. But what was his value to the team? Even if he made 500 home runs, many still thought he was pretty bad. To be honest he was not the best. However, he did much more than that for the Angel's. He helped with the teams great atmosphere, loved to teach players or give advice for the years he was there, and deffently gave the best advice to Mike Trout that will be his successor to some of the best playing of baseball in history. Albert getting dropped by Angel's with no proper good bye was upsetting, but I knew one team would pick him up if he hadn't wanted to finish. He was deffently better than random players on the field. I had no clue who would give a chance than the Cardinals themselves, but the Dodgers did, I was so happy even though they are our freeway rivals, I knew they could do something more amazing with him since they are elite team that have fixed up players before. After, that impressive Dodgers run I could see the Cardinals picking him up. The Cardinals were very hesitant for good reasons for a run, but knew it was the right thing to do since everyone wanted a final season at least there. Many players still today on the Cardinals don't want him to retire yet. A top catcher who may of went to the Angel's went to the Cardinals since he was amazed with Albert's carrier there that he would know that he would love that team for many years to follow his legacy he had built there. To me I love this ending season of Albert that he had deserved. Albert will still be helping the Angel's for years to come to help upcoming players since it was part of his contract agreement. I think the Angel's prepared very well with that part of the deal to help with the upcoming amazing prospects and other players who join. To me I would love Albert to stay until he broke the all time home run record since he would very much be able too, but I am satisfied with this last year good bye. I will see next year if he stays away for comes back, time will tell for an amazing legend. Thank you Albert for the years of greatness. The next major point of baseball this season is if Ohtani stays. Either way, this Angel season will be the craziest. It so crazy that spring training for the Angel's and the World Baseball Classic will be taken the most serious to everyone before th year starts since there is so much to gain and lose with Ohtani chance of leaving or team more lost than ever before. Thanks for anyone reading this and hope you stay safe and have wonderful day. Thanks also to the creator for another amazing video.

My favorite baseball player and Cardinal of all time

For some reason It did not show a recommended video when you mentioned it at the end of this one. Thanks for this breakdown, great content, very well done imo. Excited for your future uploads my friend!

I think one of the best stories about Pujols' 2022 seasons came from other Cardinals players talking about how he was one of the first guys in the gym every day and was always hitting the weights hard. He talked about the shortening of his swing path via keeping his bat forward and not dropping the bat back, and of course the tradeoff there is he's making up for his loss of bat speed due to age by giving up some of the power in his swing due to the shorter path. He could only make that choice because he trusted in his strength to be great enough to still carry the ball despite the shorter path, and that strength was only there because even in his 40s he was hitting the gym like a young player in arb still trying to prove themselves. It honestly adds a beautiful sentiment to his accomplishment, because he only got to where he did due to his incredible work ethic.

Great analysis. I watched Pujols throughout his time with the Cardinals. Later, I could barely stand to watch him with the Angels because the decline was so painful. But the 2nd half of last season was astounding, a season people will talk about for a very long time. Very few 42-year-old players have ever been that good on their way out of the game. Simply put, the Cardinals without Pujols would have finished 2nd or even 3rd in the NL Central last year. He was that big a force.

Nice touch having Cardinals at home vs Angels in the background. My Favorite team is the Cardinals, Albert Pujols is my favorite player. Hard to watch this video of him struggling but I am a numbers guy so I liked the analytics. I was born in 1997 I have so many memories of him from when I started watching baseball till he left after WS in 2011. I don't like LA, Kronkie suck. I am happy LAD picked him up with the plan you talked about. I am so happy he came back to STL. I think he is a for sure HOF! His last season was like his first 11 seasons here, best first 10 seasons of a career. Great Video! Go Cardinals! Go Angels.

It's amazing what some people can do at the age of 44. Kinda sucks that the Cards couldn't beat the Phillies and give Pujols a shot at another title.

Glad to see your channel growing man. Love your videos.

Great video. As a Dodgers fan, Albert's renaissance made me so happy.

Favorite El Hombre moment would be his moonshot against Brad Lidge. I’ve never seen a more psychologically devastating moment play out in live sports where a dominant athlete loses all of his confidence because of a single moment. You could say the same thing happened to Rick Ankiel but that was self induced. Also fortunately for Brad Lidge there would be redemption later down the road, but that moment solidified Pujols place as the greatest hitter in baseball at that time.

First time seeing your video. Really enjoyed and learned in this piece on Pujols. Can you do an explanation video about stats... WAR, etc. Lots of us older fans don't know this stuff. Thanks.

I hate that part of his revival was him being good on the dodgers, but his last year in st lous was great to see especially for an all time great

The Dodgers brought back his joy in playing baseball as well, winning is fun

3:31 lol the fake Los Angeles team

You have a great analysis here, but I disagree that Pujols' legacy depended in any way on what he did in his declining years. We remember Mickey Mantle for his glory years, Joe DiMaggio for around 10 years, Sandy Koufax for a five-year stretch, etc. Willie Mays fell short of 700 home runs and that hasn't affected his legacy. It was wonderful to see Pujols go out with a final blaze of glory, but his legacy had been long secured when he was baseball's best player, by far, for a decade.

As an Astros fan a part of me was supposed to hate Pujols because of how he destroyed us in the mid 2000’s, but I can’t help but respect the man. Dude was legit one of the best players ever and I’m glad I got to see him play live a couple of times.

I remember seeing him in the Arizona Fall League long ago, he will always be one of my favorite players

Thinking about it, if the Angels were anything of a competent franchise and had embraced any lick of analytics, I believe Pujols had a real good chance of breaking the HR record. Like with what he said; if he hadn't played every day so his body could be fine, had better matchups, and they encouraged Pujols to work on his weaknesses, Pujols would be even greater that what he is now.

How the MLB served Albert those juiced tennis balls during the second half

He was a beast…as a freshman rookie!

I really enjoy these videos.

Long awaited

The dodgers organization has a track record of turning bad, mediocre players into good or even great ballplayers. That’s one of the reasons why I like the dodgers organization. They do such a good job training and devolving young and old talent

Amazing video, super informative, makes me wonder if I need to switch my degree to sports management/science in order to compete with your knowledge

Damn! I found you at only 5k subscribers! I feel like I’m investing in Apple in 1999. Loved the video and your analysis. Keep up the good work man, you just earned a subscriber!!!

I think he can still play baseball ❤️

one my fav memories was 2009 against the Nats he hit a walk off HR (i think #41) and did this awesome bat flip

He was a beast in St. Louis the first time around. Then he just stayed in the game too long, imo. He didn’t have to chase seven hundred to be a considered for the hall.

My fave position player ever.

Nice work on the video my man, and to see one of the greats stay with it and admit he had to do a change is awesome. I’m truly hero for Albert to get to 700, thru shear determination and a lil luck he did it and it’s great to see

Would love to see this same thing with Miggy this year since it's most likely his last, he's been in the same boat as Pujols being an often injured badly aging slugger whose prime is well past him I know it won't happen though and it still breaks my heart seeing how far he's fallen since 2016

Great video I'm 41 & don't really know analytics. However I played thru college and am a huge baseball fan. Puljols fan. I thought Puljols 22 was more exciting then 99 & I I'm a die hard Yankees fan. I really enjoyed the video.

He should have never left St. Louis, that uniform was magical. He would have threatened 755 homeruns

Here Before The fame❤

My fav

Imo, The problem was he was playing in the Wrong League (Aka the AL) The AL is notorious for having not only major big league hitters, but monster aces and Bullpens who knew how to pitch around him. I say he's more comfortable with NL pitching than AL Pitching. And notice how he has more hits against left handers than right handers. There are a lot of Right Handed Pitching in the AL

I appreciate the video and the breakdown. But I think you give too much credit/blame to the teams he was and not enough credit to Pujols himself.

I know this video is about Albert Pujols, but I feel bad for Mike Trout when he signed that big contract with the angels I knew it was about the money not win a championship

You gotta give props to the 3 homerun game in the world series if your asking!

Hey The Diamond! Would love to collab on some content with ya! Let me know if you would be interested 🙏🏼

The juiced baseballs really helped too

Love Pujols, and great video. However not the greatest retirement tour ever… that honor is currently held by David Ortiz

I dont forgive MLB for not allowing the local call to be on the broadcast. That was the most wonky idea, put in on Apple.

I was able to witness him hit 697 in Pittsburgh to pass A-Rod. Will be something I will never forget. He will be a first ballot HOF'er. I don't think he will get a unanimous vote. I see a few writers taking his decline with the Angels into account. Even though he was the greatest first baseman of his generation and one of the greatest Right handed hitters.

Outside of his 2022 season, my favorite memory of Pujols is probably when he hit a home run so far off Brad Lidge that it left the solar system.

Do I think Albert will be a Hall if Famer? Yes. First ballot? It’s very possible. Unanimous? Probably not.

As an Astros fan who used to be hate seeing him destroy him, I love Pujols. He is easily the greatest player of my adulthood

Can you talk about Ty Cobb as he is one of the most misunderstood player of all time and one the least talked about. He is kinda like barry bonds in the way he was stigmatised as although he is labelled as a racist he was in fact a major supporter of intergration of the major leagues, attending many negro ledge games and publicly speaking out against it

First ballot HoF right there, maybe along side with Yadi. Class act for Cards to give him one last chance.

I actually wish he'd unretire...The Cardinals still dont have an established DH role player...Its split between many players in fact Albert was a parttime player in 2022 and believe it or not, but he hasnt put on weight...I hope the Cardinals see how bad 2023 was and just say F it and go back to what they know works instead of this analytical nonsense destroying our franchise making us move on from how they used to win...He is 13 homers away from passing Babe Ruth for 3rd all time and 6 homers away from passing Stan Musial for most Cardinal homers ever.. I wouldve watched more STL cards games and attended more if Albert was still playing and it wouldnt have mattered if the wins/losses didnt change...I wouldve watched just to see if he did something...The Cardinals fans who were in high school when he left STL will never forget that experienced ever...The joy on others such as Cubs fans when he left and they've won a title since he left...You would've thought the Cardinals wouldve figured it out by now but not yet...

Albert should be a unanimous HoF pick, but baseball writers comprise the usual ration of soreheads who will find something to bitch about. He is one of the greatest of all time.

Not to take away from him or Judge, but they juiced the balls for STL/NYY games. In the 2nd half. They still had to hit it, but not all of those dingers would have went as far if they werent juiced. Judge and Pujols desrve the shine. I love how bball media reported on this one day then swept it under the rug the next. Idc but if the league will do this for ratings, why keep the steriods users out of the hall. MLB has constantly looked the other way, fought the wrong battles and picked some of the worst hills to die on. A little consistency would do wonders for the sport.

I get it you wanted to make this video whether you knew what you were talking about or not. The Angels had other options Mark Trumbo, and CJ Cron were both dealt away to make room for Puljos. They had other options.

What is your favorite memory of Albert Pujols? Do you think he will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer? Let us know down below!

How did he pull this off? He put the proper uniform back on

3:28 bro the Angels tried to bring Pujols off the bench and he didn’t want to do that for them 🤣 also, his job is literally to play baseball, why would the angels pay all that money to just keep him on the bench? 🤦🏽‍♂️😭

Leaving the Angels

Anyone who does not vote Pujols as a unanimous hall of famer should lose their right to vote

If being the probable last person in history to hit 700 home runs doesn’t get you first ballet I don’t know what will 😂

Analytics and statcast have ruined baseball. Also, every Cardinals fan is probably gonna name the Brad Lodge home run as their favorite Pujols moment

He should have never ever left St. Louis.

ill be honest, i think his career would have been far more successful had he not left St Louis

The craziest part of the story is that Jeff Albert the cardinals hitting coach that brought pujols back to his 2011 form got ran out of town by the cardinals fan base. As a cardinals fan cardinals fans are some of the dumbest sports fans out there.

The Angels are just so horrible. What could Trout be on a real team? Ohtani? Would Pujols have 800+ home runs if he'd gone to any other team than the Angels when he left the Cardinals?

You have good content but you need to lighten up brother You are way too intense to be talking about MLB JS Feedback for you 😁✌️

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How is Max muncy one of the best hitters in baseball? LOL

JUICED BALLS MLB HELPED HIM AND JUDGE 🤣

Fake la team would be the Brooklyn dodgers

Anybody else think he roided up after getting booted by the Angels? Looked slimmer and wasn’t missing any pitches. Kind of suspicious, could see the MLB letting that slide by just so he can get his records knowing he was going to retire.

My favorite memory is him keeping his steroid use quiet.

Albert Pujols should have the next biggest asterisk next to bonds. I'm convinced the balls were juiced up for Angel games. Makes more sense than a resurgent Albert.

this turned me gay

Look stop with this bs he never

Anyone who thinks Albert pujols won’t be a first ballot hall of famer is smoking crack