Welcome back: Pujols, 42, returns to Cardinals on 1-year deal

With a wave of his hand and a tip of the cap, Albert Pujols walked back into the world of the St. Louis Cardinals for one final season.

"This is it for me," the 42-year-old Pujols said Monday. "This is my last run."

It was quite a scene as Pujols rejoined the Redbirds.

Wearing a big smile and his familiar red No. 5 jersey, he emerged from beyond the right field wall at Roger Dean Stadium between the first and second innings of a game against Houston.

Cardinals pitchers, catchers and coaches sitting on chairs far down the line stood to acknowledge the three-time NL MVP, as did the fans in the stands. Pujols strolled to the St. Louis dugout on the first base side, where he was greeted with hearty hugs and high-fives.

All these years later, the slugger who helped the Cardinals win two World Series championship was home.

The Cardinals and Pujols agreed to a $2.5 million US, one-year contract, giving him a chance to end his career in the place where it started.

"Seldom does one get to share in watching or being a part of `living' history," Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak said. "From the day we called Albert's name in the draft room back in 1999, to now, as we set our sights on 2022, this reunion just makes sense in so many ways."

"We are all looking forward to reuniting Albert with his Cardinals family, and for the fan in all of us, including myself, this feels like looking through the pages of a favourite scrapbook or baseball card album and seeing those images and memories jump off the pages."

Pujols spent part of Monday video conferencing with 39-year-old Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, his teammate during eight seasons in St. Louis.

Pujols played the first 11 years of his career in St. Louis, teaming with Molina to lead the Cardinals to the 2006 and 2011 World Series titles.

"We've only got one thing in mind — winning another championship," Molina said.

Strong against left-handed pitching

Prior to Monday's Graprefruit League game, Cardinals center fielder Harrison Bader posted a photo on social media of what appeared to be a No. 5 Pujols jersey hanging in a Cardinals' locker.

Pujols doesn't swing nearly as fearsome a bat as he did during his St. Louis hey-day, but the Cardinals decided they have a spot for a designated hitter who can hit left-handed pitching.

That's one thing Pujols still does well.

Pujols needs 21 homers to become the fourth career major leaguer to hit 700 in a career.

"Adding someone like that is crazy important," first-year manager Oliver Marmol said. "What he does with that clubhouse outside of his skill set is unbelievable."

The deal brings Pujols back to where he became one of the game's most powerful and dangerous all-around hitters. The NL Rookie of the Year in 2001 hit at least .300 with at least 30 homers and 100 RBIs in each of his first 10 seasons in St. Louis.

A wildly popular player in St. Louis, Pujols played his last game for the Cardinals on Oct. 28, 2011, a Game 7 win over Texas in the World Series.

With use of the designated hitter extending to the National League, the Cardinals found a fit with Pujols as opening day on April 7 against Pittsburgh at Busch Stadium approached.

"This reunion with Albert is a wonderful opportunity for not only him and the Cardinals, but also for our great fans, the St. Louis community, our players and staff, and everyone connected to the St. Louis Cardinals organization," Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said in a statement.

"We look forward to seeing Albert in the `Birds on the Bat' once again, and wearing his familiar uniform No. 5," he said.