ST. PETERSBURG — While he is extremely flattered by the steady stream of players who come up to him during batting practice for a quick chat or to say, “hello,” Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols said there’s a definitive down side to being idolized by so many young players throughout Major League Baseball.
“It means a lot, but they are all asking for a jersey or a bat,” Pujols said with a sly smile, referring to his added cost of having to provide those items to others. “I’m always like, ‘Sure, no problem.’”
Pujols, 42 and MLB’s oldest player, is planning to retire after this season, his 22nd at the big league level. He ranks ninth all-time in hits (3,320), fifth in home runs (683), fourth in extra-base hits (1,373) and eighth in games played (3,002). Pujols was in the lineup on Thursday as the Cardinals’ DH to face the Rays and pitcher Shane McClanahan. Pujols and 39-year-old catcher Yadier Molina, who is also planning to retire, were scheduled to be honored by the Rays during the game.
“I grew up watching those guys — [Adam Wainwright], Yadi and Pujols,” McClanahan said. “It’s gonna be a lot of fun facing them. It’s kind of like 10-year-old me is like, ‘Oh my God, like, this is pretty cool.’”
Pujols actually finds all the tributes from opposing teams and the flowery praise from young players incredibly flattering.
“They are just showing their respect, and it means a lot to me,” said Pujols, a two-time World Series champion and a three-time MVP. “They’re doing it just like I did before for players like [Derek] Jeter and David Ortiz. Those were guys who were in the league way before me, and when I played against them, it was really special. My first All-Star Game, seeing Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr., it was pretty special. If you are a fan of this game — whether you are a fan or a player — you love that. I’m enjoying this but also staying focused on what I need to do to help this ballclub win every day.”
Tampa Bay superstar shortstop Wander Franco didn’t play in the series because of a strained right quad, but he still spoke glowingly of his admiration for Pujols. In fact, Franco said he wears No. 5 as a tribute. Pujols said he knew of Franco’s enormous promise long before he reached the MLB level because of his friendship with former Angels teammate, Erick Aybar — Franco’s uncle.
“I know [Franco] because I played with his uncle, Erick Aybar, and he would always speak about [Franco], and the day when [Franco] signed his contract, I got a text from [Aybar],” Pujols said. “Everything that he does on the field is really electric, and he has a big future in this league.
“It’s pretty special [that Franco wears his No. 5], but it just means I’ve been playing this game for a long time and it’s time to go, so that’s why I’m [retiring] this year,” he said with a big laugh. “It means a lot to be an example — not just for the Dominican players, but hopefully also for the American guys, too. I’ve tried to just always do my job, never take anything for granted and enjoy this game. I’m blessed to be wearing this uniform.”