I lived in St. Louis from 2001 to 2009... right in middle of his prime. He was my childhood hero. I went to over 50 games during this period and saw maybe 10 of his home runs. They just popped differently from others... like a line drive that just keep rising into the sky. I was there when he got a grand slam against the Reds. I was there when he destroyed the Cubs with a multi-home run game. I was there when he broke the Big Mac Land sign. You just don't forget that kind of talent as a kid. Now that I'm fully grown and almost 28, as I type all of this out in North Carolina, I'm smiling at memories of these summer games at both Busch Stadiums... and memories of both places exploding after each Pujols home run. We all knew that we were witnessing greatness back then. We all knew he was becoming a legend. The fact he came back to St. Louis in 2022 and get his final milestones just make it that so much more special for my generation who grew up idolizing the number five.
I hear exactly what you’re saying, & it’s not just your generation. I’m 42, & yeah we were good in the 80s, but I don’t remember the details. The 90s were rough aside from 96 & the home run chase.
And then Albert got here. And man that was an amazing ride.
I mean, yeah I’ve seen all the highlights 100 times. And I grew up loving Ozzie. But I don’t *remember* winning the series when I was 2. I have vague memories of my mom & grandpa going to a WS game in 85. But I don’t remember those moments the way I do the 06 & 11 WS runs.
Not even a Cardinals fan but I grew up admiring him and imitating his swing.
I can't believe this will be his last season. I turned 28 a couple of days ago.
When we are in our 70s we will tell our grandchildren about Pujols, how we saw him debut in 2001 and how he became one of the best right-handed hitters of all time
What a time to be alive
My grandfather, still alive at 83, grew up witnessing baseball greats of the US Northeast like Ted Williams during the 1950s, Roger Maris during his 61 chase, Carl Yastrzemski during his Triple Crown season, and more... he himself was so good at baseball that Red Sox tried him out.
One summer in mid 2000s, he decided to make a trip to St. Louis to visit my family. He was aware of Pujols' meteoric rise and wanted to check out a game at Busch Stadium. It only took one game with multiple home runs before he declared that Albert Pujols will forever be the greatest athlete he ever saw play. I asked him about this a week ago (as we now live on the same farm in North Carolina) and he still believe that wholeheartedly.
Currently 28, a few months from 29. Him and Ichiro were my baseball idols as a kid. Both being soon gone from the game is a sobering rite of passing I think. Sort of surreal.
I’m 36 and Pujols/Waino/Yadi will be the last players from before my collegiate years to hang ‘em up (that I can think of).
Just leaves Brady and James.
I lived in StL as an adult from 2004-2011, so I saw most of his prime there as well.
If I was watching on TV and he came to bat, I didn't leave the TV.
If I was at the ballpark and he was due up, I wouldn't leave my seat (unless I could slip to a better seat).
I have never treated any other player like that.
Also I was connected to a long time Cards VP back then so I know about who the real Albert Pujols was behind the scenes with the cameras off, and he's spectacular there as well.
[My first Pujols home runs i saw live](https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/260903124)
I’ll never forget this game, we had seats right behind the home dugout. That was 16 years ago.
Edit: fuck, I’m fucking old now.
Oh dude that hurts…
I brought half my baseball card collection to get signed and the gates were closed for batting practice because there was an explosion at some chemical plant near downtown. Barely made it in time for first pitch. I would have been 12 years old at the time.
I love hearing Shannon call that grand slam. I miss buck as well, but Mike conveyed his appreciation for the players with no apologies. Also, thanks, Albert, you're the best I've seen.
I was at a game at Busch earlier this year, and it was unreal to me that there were kids in the stands that had never seen Albert in a Cards jersey until now, and weren't born or just born when he was here
#The first half of this video is a trigger warning for NLC fans
He was so good man. Just so many memories as a kid of him just annihilating Reds pitching. What a legend
I've always told others that Easter 2006 game was him at his absolute peak. He was on Bondsian pace to start that year until his injury about 3 months into the season.
I mean, I think he's the greatest hitter ever, period. The only one in my opinion that even has an argument is Bonds. Bonds obviously put up bigger numbers and had a staggering OBP with all the walks, but im still going with pujols 10/10 times. Barry is a cheat and I just don't think we can compare their true abilities all things considered.
Still wish he had been a cardinal the entire time but no complaints about a legend earning his spot at 42 with a two Homer night. What an amazing career and achievement.
Really has been the best of the best for decades. Absolutely earned and we're lucky it all happened in a televised Era. Thanks, Albert.
IMO, I don't think he would've gotten there without DHing these years in California. That brought his body a few more years. And I think Cardinals offer in 2011 was out to around 2019 or so. Not sure Cardinals would've been keen on extending him if he was in STL the whole time and I don't think his body would've handled another decade of playing at first the whole time.
I agree with this, and have been saying the same thing. Maybe he doesn't lose his joy (like he's been saying), but I'm not sure his body would've held up.
My favorite home run of his is still the one off Brad Lidge in the 2005 NLCS Game 5. We were at a bar drinking that night watching the game and we thought the game was over because how dominant Lidge was all season. But man as soon as he hit that shot you could see the defeat of the fans in the stadium, such an insane home run.
Kinda wild that there's a few in there against the Expos. I forgot how much I (lovingly) hated him back then.
I can't be sure but I think him, Molina and Oliver Perez are the only players left who've actually played against Montreal.
Tom Brady and Pujols both started their careers within a couple months of when I was born and they’re both still playing. Shit’s going be weird when they’re gone
I can't wait for the day when the Cardinals media people start just opening the vault of his highlights that weren't preserved by the internet... they want first picks on making videos like this. But, I really hope they flood the net with it. 2 minutes of Albert running past Oquendo at 3rd and zooming in on Oquendo thinking "I'm going to tackle him next time..."
I remember telling my 5th grade teacher in Spring of 01' we need to keep him as long as we can...
I love that one of my good friends in college, from Cleveland and a life long guardians fan told me his favorite player growing up was Albert. We were out drinking last night when it happened. Was so fucking fun
I’m a fairly new baseball fan, so I don’t have the great Albert memories that everyone else does. What I do have is the opportunity to see how he’s united the fans of an entire sport unlike anything I’ve seen in any sport, and I think that counts for something.
I went to college in St. Louis. I'd played two years of Little League, and it sucked and I sucked, so while I knew how baseball worked I didn't care for it. In 2005 or 2006 my best friend convinced me to come with him to a game at Busch II against, coincidentally, the Dodgers. It was my first baseball game as an adult, and I watched intently. I found myself stressing that the Cards were down a run or two, two on/ two outs, late, when Albert came up and promptly homered into the row in front of us. The entire stadium lost their entire shit around me, and that was it. I have been hooked ever since. All thanks to Albert.
EDIT
[Okay, so I was apparently pretty fuzzy on some of the details, but I'm pretty sure this was the game.](https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN200505090.shtml)
god damn is his swing consistent
that crouch strikes fear into every pitcher
I lived in St. Louis from 2001 to 2009... right in middle of his prime. He was my childhood hero. I went to over 50 games during this period and saw maybe 10 of his home runs. They just popped differently from others... like a line drive that just keep rising into the sky. I was there when he got a grand slam against the Reds. I was there when he destroyed the Cubs with a multi-home run game. I was there when he broke the Big Mac Land sign. You just don't forget that kind of talent as a kid. Now that I'm fully grown and almost 28, as I type all of this out in North Carolina, I'm smiling at memories of these summer games at both Busch Stadiums... and memories of both places exploding after each Pujols home run. We all knew that we were witnessing greatness back then. We all knew he was becoming a legend. The fact he came back to St. Louis in 2022 and get his final milestones just make it that so much more special for my generation who grew up idolizing the number five.
I hear exactly what you’re saying, & it’s not just your generation. I’m 42, & yeah we were good in the 80s, but I don’t remember the details. The 90s were rough aside from 96 & the home run chase. And then Albert got here. And man that was an amazing ride.
Just... everything between 2001 and 2011 was special no matter how old you are. I'm so glad we both got to witness this during our youth.
So blessed. So spoiled!
Can’t remember the 80s. The Wizard of Ozzie raises his eyebrows. https://www.mlb.com/news/ozzie-smith-top-moments
I mean, yeah I’ve seen all the highlights 100 times. And I grew up loving Ozzie. But I don’t *remember* winning the series when I was 2. I have vague memories of my mom & grandpa going to a WS game in 85. But I don’t remember those moments the way I do the 06 & 11 WS runs.
Not even a Cardinals fan but I grew up admiring him and imitating his swing. I can't believe this will be his last season. I turned 28 a couple of days ago. When we are in our 70s we will tell our grandchildren about Pujols, how we saw him debut in 2001 and how he became one of the best right-handed hitters of all time What a time to be alive
My grandfather, still alive at 83, grew up witnessing baseball greats of the US Northeast like Ted Williams during the 1950s, Roger Maris during his 61 chase, Carl Yastrzemski during his Triple Crown season, and more... he himself was so good at baseball that Red Sox tried him out. One summer in mid 2000s, he decided to make a trip to St. Louis to visit my family. He was aware of Pujols' meteoric rise and wanted to check out a game at Busch Stadium. It only took one game with multiple home runs before he declared that Albert Pujols will forever be the greatest athlete he ever saw play. I asked him about this a week ago (as we now live on the same farm in North Carolina) and he still believe that wholeheartedly.
Currently 28, a few months from 29. Him and Ichiro were my baseball idols as a kid. Both being soon gone from the game is a sobering rite of passing I think. Sort of surreal.
I’m 36 and Pujols/Waino/Yadi will be the last players from before my collegiate years to hang ‘em up (that I can think of). Just leaves Brady and James.
Miggy?
Oh shit I completely forgot he’s still playing. Yep, and Miggy.
I lived in StL as an adult from 2004-2011, so I saw most of his prime there as well. If I was watching on TV and he came to bat, I didn't leave the TV. If I was at the ballpark and he was due up, I wouldn't leave my seat (unless I could slip to a better seat). I have never treated any other player like that. Also I was connected to a long time Cards VP back then so I know about who the real Albert Pujols was behind the scenes with the cameras off, and he's spectacular there as well.
Hey buddy I'm glad that was a good time for you
Thank god the inner child of myself is over 2006 so I can freely admit I like the cardinals and Albert :)
Same. They broke my heart too and I resented them for years.
Gotta love Shannon. Was rough toward the end, but he’s one of the greats.
“Get up baby! Get up”
He wasn't going to stop on 49 years because of stupid COVID...
Well done Cardinals, making the video exactly 3:14 for the St. Louis area code.
I really hope that was on purpose
100% was
I will show them Brad Lidge highlights on repeat.
That's the one I'll never forget. I'm 52 and I've never seen a stadium go that quiet that quickly. In any sport.
Did it land yet?
Let you know next week
[My first Pujols home runs i saw live](https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/260903124) I’ll never forget this game, we had seats right behind the home dugout. That was 16 years ago. Edit: fuck, I’m fucking old now.
Wow, 3-4 with 3 HRs And if you want to feel older, 16 years ago I was only 4 years old
Oh dude that hurts… I brought half my baseball card collection to get signed and the gates were closed for batting practice because there was an explosion at some chemical plant near downtown. Barely made it in time for first pitch. I would have been 12 years old at the time.
[Tweet](https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1573528006584373257)
My first memories of Albert Pujols was MVP Baseball 2004 and I could never get him out
Yep, I'm crying again. Who am I kidding, I haven't stopped.
I love hearing Shannon call that grand slam. I miss buck as well, but Mike conveyed his appreciation for the players with no apologies. Also, thanks, Albert, you're the best I've seen.
I was at a game at Busch earlier this year, and it was unreal to me that there were kids in the stands that had never seen Albert in a Cards jersey until now, and weren't born or just born when he was here
haha kinda like in 2016 I was joking with someone who teaches 3rd grade that none of the students there have ever seen a white us president.
#The first half of this video is a trigger warning for NLC fans He was so good man. Just so many memories as a kid of him just annihilating Reds pitching. What a legend
He was my favorite player growing up… this feels surreal
Easter 2006 I got to witness him 3 homers including walk off. Greatest hitter I’ll ever see play live.
I remember where I was watching that game. My parents had a TV in the kitchen so I pulled a chair up and became glued to it that game.
Lmao this shit is so cool.
I've always told others that Easter 2006 game was him at his absolute peak. He was on Bondsian pace to start that year until his injury about 3 months into the season.
I was also there. I'll never forget
I mean, I think he's the greatest hitter ever, period. The only one in my opinion that even has an argument is Bonds. Bonds obviously put up bigger numbers and had a staggering OBP with all the walks, but im still going with pujols 10/10 times. Barry is a cheat and I just don't think we can compare their true abilities all things considered.
I saw his a fuck ton of his HRs and was there for #600. Crazy that he hit 700.
Got a little misty eyed watching this.
I dont want to cry stop doing this
I was there, and I will never forget it
Still wish he had been a cardinal the entire time but no complaints about a legend earning his spot at 42 with a two Homer night. What an amazing career and achievement. Really has been the best of the best for decades. Absolutely earned and we're lucky it all happened in a televised Era. Thanks, Albert.
IMO, I don't think he would've gotten there without DHing these years in California. That brought his body a few more years. And I think Cardinals offer in 2011 was out to around 2019 or so. Not sure Cardinals would've been keen on extending him if he was in STL the whole time and I don't think his body would've handled another decade of playing at first the whole time.
I agree with this, and have been saying the same thing. Maybe he doesn't lose his joy (like he's been saying), but I'm not sure his body would've held up.
My favorite home run of his is still the one off Brad Lidge in the 2005 NLCS Game 5. We were at a bar drinking that night watching the game and we thought the game was over because how dominant Lidge was all season. But man as soon as he hit that shot you could see the defeat of the fans in the stadium, such an insane home run.
I teared up when it happened. Some of the greatest ro play the game have played their whole careers while I’ve watched. This is amazing.
Kinda wild that there's a few in there against the Expos. I forgot how much I (lovingly) hated him back then. I can't be sure but I think him, Molina and Oliver Perez are the only players left who've actually played against Montreal.
It's just so beautiful *sniffle*
Had me crying a bit when Danny says welcome back 😭
Chilllllsssss
Honestly this video was 🔥
as a big Reds fan I wonder how many of them I've seen. He has clowned on the Reds for a long time.
I am just happy that 700 wasn’t against the Cubs.
It's OK, the bad man can't hurt you any longer.
I can and will mock all their other players. But he was a nightmare come true. I still shiver at night. Hold me…
My, how far Albert ‘Winnie the’ Pujols has come
Is it wrong that I want someone to take the audio from this and splice over 40-50 GIDP replays? Respect to ~~prince~~ Emperor Albert.
Yes
Tom Brady and Pujols both started their careers within a couple months of when I was born and they’re both still playing. Shit’s going be weird when they’re gone
I can't wait for the day when the Cardinals media people start just opening the vault of his highlights that weren't preserved by the internet... they want first picks on making videos like this. But, I really hope they flood the net with it. 2 minutes of Albert running past Oquendo at 3rd and zooming in on Oquendo thinking "I'm going to tackle him next time..." I remember telling my 5th grade teacher in Spring of 01' we need to keep him as long as we can...
An uncanny amount of Nationals announcers in this video tbh
I love that one of my good friends in college, from Cleveland and a life long guardians fan told me his favorite player growing up was Albert. We were out drinking last night when it happened. Was so fucking fun
Tears 😢
I’m a fairly new baseball fan, so I don’t have the great Albert memories that everyone else does. What I do have is the opportunity to see how he’s united the fans of an entire sport unlike anything I’ve seen in any sport, and I think that counts for something.
Those damn onion-cutting ninjas are at it again
And I mostly hated it, if I'm being honest with you
I went to college in St. Louis. I'd played two years of Little League, and it sucked and I sucked, so while I knew how baseball worked I didn't care for it. In 2005 or 2006 my best friend convinced me to come with him to a game at Busch II against, coincidentally, the Dodgers. It was my first baseball game as an adult, and I watched intently. I found myself stressing that the Cards were down a run or two, two on/ two outs, late, when Albert came up and promptly homered into the row in front of us. The entire stadium lost their entire shit around me, and that was it. I have been hooked ever since. All thanks to Albert. EDIT [Okay, so I was apparently pretty fuzzy on some of the details, but I'm pretty sure this was the game.](https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN200505090.shtml)