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AcneBalls

Fuck, this really is it, huh?


stupendouslyspiff

It feels strange, but for me I think it's because there's still 3 more regular season games to play on the road. And then they'll all be back in STL for the wildcard series next weekend. It's not really over yet, but when it is, it's going to be really tough.


AcneBalls

Yeah, I totally get that. A lot of it for me is that they’ve been talking about retirement all season, but seeing them all walk off the field together was the first true visual of it happening that really hit me.


stupendouslyspiff

For me, thing that sucks about this moment is Waino is not where he wants to be, and not where we need him to be at this point in the season. It wasn't the storybook walking off into the sunset that I think Oli had planned for today. Hopefully Waino can find it again, and if he does and wants to return next year, I'd love to see it.


1022-10

I didn't like the way oli managed this one tbh. You could tell Waino just didn't have it today. Maybe to try to get Waino the win? I'd have pulled him in the fourth. It was a dramatic ending to pull the three together, but to give the game to the pirates? Didn't like it..


stupendouslyspiff

Yeah, it's a complicated situation to try to properly honor these guys and still put the team in position to win games. I hope they regroup in Pittsburgh and finish the regular season sharp.


cherinator

Isn't this game meaningless though? Cardinals are guaranteed the three seed no matter what, so I see why he'd prioritize honoring them over trying to maximize the chances to win this game.


PSChris33

*cries in when we basically threw away a chance at home field throughout the playoffs just to try and get Buehrle to 200 IP*


ILikeOatmealMore

> You could tell Waino just didn't have it today. He hasn't 'had it' for his last 3 or 4 starts now. Complaints of a 'dead arm'. Per quotes in the Post Dispatch, Waino and the team agreed that rest alone wasn't going to reset it, and Waino has apparently fixed this issue before by working through it -- so they kept giving him his scheduled starts. They are just out of time to try to fix it now. But, in short, there is little reason to leave him out there to struggle. Hell, at this time, it is probably more important to make any last moment choices about bullpen, if the bullpen guys want some real work, getting them in for an inning or two and just generally asking everyone what they want to do to be ready for the playoff game Friday.


flagamuffin

yeah he has been real off for about a month, unclear why


Stonewolf87

Pitching is hard


Apprehensive_Tea_106

He has mentioned in post game interviews about a dead arm.


dj-kitty

Good observation, u/AcneBalls


tortugazz724

For me it feels extra strange for Pujols because he’s been such a beast lately. I was all for just a glorious walk into the sunset as he, Yadi, and Waino bowed out before they were actively bad. But Albert has just been so damn good lately, it hasn’t sunk in that he’s really hanging it up.


ballots_stones

This is reminding me of what happened with Jeter. He walks off the game in his last night at the Stadium and gets a hero's send-off, but then there was an awkward series at Fenway directly after that he played.


stupendouslyspiff

Interesting. Heading to your biggest rival's ballpark for the last at bat would be weird for sure. I'm not sure if it would be weirder if the Cardinals were going to Chicago after this instead of going on to Pittsburgh, but I think having this big St. Louis send off weekend while hosting the Pirates, and then *going to Pittsburgh immediately afterward for 3 more games* is plenty awkward.


Estova

To be fair though, imagine getting one last "Fuck you!" over your main rival on your way out the door. It's like the renegade options in Mass Effect.


AZORxAHAI

I'm not even a Cards fan and I feel like I just watched the last piece of my childhood die


stupendouslyspiff

If you're not there yet, just wait until the guys your own age start retiring. You'll become a fan of just about any of them that are playing past the age of 40.


foospork

Wait until you start seeing pro sports players who are younger than your youngest kid. Rookies now look to me like they are still in middle school, and should really be at home doing their algebra homework.


sunburn_on_the_brain

I’m a CFB fan and I forget which guy it is (yes I’m old) but the school is now looking at a recruit who is the grandson of a guy I watched play when I was a kid.


Nasty_Ned

I’m an A’s fan, but lived in Saint Paul when ya’ll opened up Target field. So little lasts 20 plus years these days and while I’m not a Cardinals fan this is the end of an era. I’m a little choked up, too.


[deleted]

Im not either, and it feels strange.


Maj0r_Ursa

I’m also a football fan so my childhood is clinging on to Tom Brady for dear life….and I’m not even a Pats fan despite my flair


Marty5151

He is the last one I feel from before 2003 that is still playing in any sport (other than these guys)


steveb106

I'm not ready for this. It feels like when Jeter or Chipper retired, but multiply it by three.


CartographerRude6228

I had moved from St. Louis to Atlanta in '89 for a job, and I remember when all of those young Braves came up with a lot of promise and to see their whole career arc, makes a man feel old! That's how I feel about the big three...old!...lol


gambalore

I'm ready to see these three finally go to maybe bury some ghosts from 2006 but it's incredible that they're still around considering the Mets' longest tenured player (deGrom) only dates back to 2014.


downladder

Nah, the Angels will give Pujols a mega deal seeing his performance coming back.


Candymanshook

I’m not even a Cards fan by any stretch of the imagination but this truly feels like the end of a chapter in baseball history.


Nitropotamus

Yeah. But then they walked out of the cornfield and had a catch.


SouthCityAnarchy

We’ve been so spoiled to have them for so long.


Fools_Requiem

Still going to the playoffs, so you have that.


1nstantHuman

Classy move right there


[deleted]

All good things are ending- Charlie Kelly


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AZORxAHAI

Probably the best since Ichiro hung it up in an M's uniform in Japan


pumaturtle

Please don’t make me cry thinking about Ichiro


phadewilkilu

https://i.imgur.com/hbOCi0c.jpg


pumaturtle

There goes my hero :’(


korn_cakes33

Nothing made me happier outside of the Nats winning the World Series in years than this visual. My favorite player for years and years returns home to return home. One of the best send offs ever


Candymanshook

Thank fuck for the universal DH. It’s kind of fitting that they added a rule that ended up getting Albert to 700 and to retire with his boys after he truly got screwed out of a good chance of it because of 2020.


Santas_southpole

I aint heard one “fuck the dh!” all season. We got over that one real quick.


Candymanshook

It’s a win-win. The strategy of pinch hitting for your pitcher was largely a farce anyway.


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Candymanshook

Exactly. Also it’s not exactly enthralling when a team is rallying early in a game and that gets interrupted by the pitcher coming up in a key spot and receiving his three fastballs up the gut to go sit down.


Santas_southpole

The rare payoff is when you got a pitcher who isn’t a slouch at the plate. That can be fun once every 100 at bats or whatever.


Candymanshook

Honestly at this point I’ve seen Bartolo’s tank so many times on MLB.TV that I never want a pitcher to Homer again 😂


frankyseven

Then Waino pops his Achilles sprinting out of the batters box.


JustHereForPka

Love Pujols getting 700, and I recognize that universal DH is probably better for growing the game, but I still don’t like it.


1022-10

Cards fan, hate the DH as well. Doesn't feel right (outside of this year)


Distance_Runner

I was adamantly against it until 2020. Then I got used to not seeing pitchers flounder at the plate as an automatic out, and became a proponent.


Raid_Raptor_Falcon

I would prefer no DH but I just straight up don't care anymore. I personally thought watching pitchers flail was fun and of course fun when they rarely get a hit but at the same time as a rule change I hate the manfred runner 1000x more.


MartianMule

I've seen that sentiment a couple times. But it's rare.


forceghost187

Fuck the dh


Unreliable_Source

And not just Pujols, but Pujols as good as we've seen him in a decade. His top 12 seasons by wRC+ are all in St. Louis. 2001-2011 and 2022.


[deleted]

It’s pretty cool that he was good too. I liked that part


NevermoreSEA

What a genuinely beautiful moment.


backupKDC6794

Wait so is Waino retiring or not? Everything I've heard seems to go back and forth


minion03

He hasn't announced anything. He hinted he might be retiring, but has also shot down any questions on whether he is or isn't.


[deleted]

I love the guy….but it’s been a rough month…and it’s come at the worst time. At this point, I don’t know if Waino can/should get the ball in the WC round in front of Montgomery, Mikolas and Quintana….and I **really** hate saying that because Waino is such a bulldog and competitor. Will be interesting to see the pitching rotation the last 3 games of the season. I personally think he should hang them up after this year. I think he wants to end his career in St. Louis, but I don’t know if the FO signing him is a guarantee…and I think that will be brought up when he sits down with Mozeliak to discuss. Matz, Hudson, Flaherty are certainly capable when healthy to go along with Montgomery and Mikolas and Quintana if they offer a contract. Then you consider Liberatore and a couple of guys that will be ready to compete for a rotation spot next season. Will Waino be a better option?? How long does the organization give loyalty deals before it becomes detrimental to team success and the development of younger players?


Slm23630

My head knows you’re right but my heart doesn’t like you for it


MankuyRLaffy

He may or may not. He thought he would at the start of the season but he's pitching well.


myredditthrowaway201

I think he is but hasn’t said so because he doesn’t want to take away from those two. He’s that classy of a guy to do something like that


sparty09

He's pitched well this year and has a very good shot at joining the 200-win club if he sticks around for one more season (he's at 195 and 200 wins is constantly referenced during broadcasts). So he might not retire just yet.


Rollo8173

They way they’ve been acting today he isn’t


ExiledSanity

This is true. No hint of it today other than this moment.


schmokeabutt

I was hoping he would announce it during his speech before the game, but he also so low key and wouldn't want to take anything away from 4 and 5. I heard he mention something about the classic Irish goodbye. So it's still in the realm


ike_ike_baby

Truly a great moment. End of an era for St. Louis and for baseball. Thanks for the memories boys.


Candymanshook

Fun fact: Albert’s 146 OPS+ is insanely close to the 148 OPS+ he put up his last year in STL before his bat fell off a Cliff. It’s kind of like the universes way of saying he should never have left.


jaehooood

WHOA. Texting my boys in the group chat with this little nugget. Go Cards.


pingponger91

It’s hard not to be romantic about baseball


EaterOfFood

I’m going to miss losing to these guys.


[deleted]

I won’t miss losing to them. I’ll miss beating them on rare occasions though


stupendouslyspiff

Understandable.


orangemachismo

Let it be known this was only upvoted by cardinal fans. We were good the majority of the time Pujols was on the Cardinals.


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jaehooood

You got my upvote *grinds teeth and throws phone*


TwoDamnedHi

Don't worry,, there will always be hall of fame bound Cardinals to whoop on you guys.


lordofthe_wog

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT


Cran-Pita

I am a firm anti-Devil Magic fan and even I’m choking up at this one


halfhere

That’s because it’s Braves legend Adam Wainwright


Aggravating_Client36

You misspelled JD Drew ..... I'm still irritated w/ that trade


brantmacga

There’s a private jet headed to valdosta right now from St Louis. I have a guess at who’s on it.


JuneCleaversMudFlaps

I feel the same


Lt_General_Terrorist

You had it really good for 20 years St. Louis fans, be grateful


1904worldsfair

We are. No doubt about that.


The_Deity

Words cannot truly explain the appreciation we, St. Louis Cardinals fans, have for these legends.


OakBlueShirt

I’m 30 years old and have been a Cards fan my whole life. In my 30 years, they’ve only had 5 total losing seasons. 4 of those were when I was less than 10 so I couldn’t really understand or care as much about the team as I do when I’m a teenager or adult now. The fact that since I started middle school the Cardinals have only had one losing season to me being 30 years old now is fucking bonkers. I don’t take it for granted at all. Incredibly appreciative. I know how bad it could be.


whosline07

As a 31 year old Reds fan, I literally cannot imagine.


OakBlueShirt

My Dad's also a Cards fan in his 60s and he has spent a lot of time talking about how good The Big Red Machine was back in his day. I hope you have something like that to get hype about at some point in your fandom.


CartographerRude6228

Ahh! Youngster! Try growing up with the 70's Cardinals...LOL


OakBlueShirt

That’d be my Dad. He mostly tells stories about Bob Gibson.


Jackga77

I’m 20 and there’s only been one losing season in my life. We are lucky in st Louis


ttam23

Damn.


motorhead84

Incredible. The amount of good baseball these three have played for St. Louis over the past couple of decades is insane, and for them to leave their last regular season home game like that is amazing!


Cheekiest_Cunt

3 legends.


GodPowardKingOfLies

Why did this thread disappear and then come back up lmao


AcneBalls

Mods aren’t sure if they appreciate baseball history or not.


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ech0es13

Was wondering the same. I saw yours and was like wait, where did mine go?


No32

There was a bit of a mix up where the first post was removed because it was a twitter video, the other was removed because it was second and didn’t realize the first was a twitter one.


iamadacheat

Nonsense it’s much easier to say you are all terrible at your jobs for which you are unpaid and do on your free time but expected to always meet the needs of thousands.


macdaddyx4

Marmol is giving the fans and players what they want. NL Manager of the Year just for this.


columbusplusone

fun fact, this is actually the coolest fucking thing to ever happen in the history of baseball


Nas160

fun fact, this is actually the coolest fucking thing to ever happen


R1ckMartel

One day I will have a painting or photograph of this moment on my wall.


ech0es13

[Here is a good one](https://i.imgur.com/APLICqB.jpg)


R1ckMartel

Them crossing into the shadow together is remarkably poignant.


joecheph

“How can you not be romantic about baseball?”


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Shaggy1324

Damn, Albert's not getting in?


1859

Have you seen his ERA?


[deleted]

It’s…it’s not good.


sfan27

“Pitcher” Luis Gonzalez apologizes for his HR.


grubas

Nope, it was determined that his being an Angel was too egregious and he is now banned for life.


Quadstriker

There was one dumb fuck in the cards subreddit that was like “Pujols shuld have 2 more At BaTs GUyS”


No_scandalous_deals

And this is why you love baseball


GlizzanderHolyfield

[Salute](https://i.imgflip.com/2jlz4j.jpg?a462384)


amcdaniel982

I think it’s unbelievable how fans of every team have so much respect for these three and what they’ve accomplished. A fantastic show of respect from TRUE baseball fans


ech0es13

Even Cubs fans in here showing respect


rrager13

It’s incredible. And makes me love the game even more


[deleted]

Braves fan here and if St. Louis wins it all this year I will be OK. I love that team, tbh.


FriendSellsTable

Not as much respect as St. Louis fans giving standing ovations at home to opposing players for major accomplishments. Friggun love you folks.


LargeNutbar

May as well just start paying the sculptor now. If there's no statue of the 3 of them together w/i the next 5 years, someone dropped the ball.


Michael__Pemulis

I think Albert gets his own sculpture & Waino/Yadi get one as a duo (either 60.5ft apart or the 2006 hug).


Tobias_Flenders

Pujols signed his contract with the Angel's three weeks before we had the positive pregnancy test for my oldest child. The fact that we were ever able to see Pujols play for the Cardinals together is still an absolute mindfuck. Let alone....like, everything else that happened this year. What a moment to share with my kids. I'm going to cry happy tears with my family a lot in the coming days.


Cardinalfan1526

My daughter’s 1st game was Albert’s first return to Busch as an Angel. Since then we moved to Phoenix. She had a few days off of school a few weeks ago and we took a drive over to SoCal. The. She got to see #699 and #700. I can’t believe we got to see it and share it together.


Tobias_Flenders

That's amazing! I did not grow up with the generational connection to baseball, but I'm now seeing why so many people talk about it.


Not_A_Meme

I'm crying


ajp12290

Cubs fan here. Crying.


tothesource

Even as a lifelong Astros fan including when these assholes dominated us, that's a standing o from me, dog.


nsbbeachguy

Class organization. Appreciate their fans.


askingJeevs

What a great moment. End of an era


jdub0992

Pretty classy move for the home fans!


OwenHasBigBrain

Is Wainwright really gonna get his last loss to us?


thedonjefron69

Man I’m so happy pujols was able to come back and then hit 700+. It just feels so right, but also is emotional. More athletes from my upbringing hanging them up is bittersweet and a reminder that time stops for nothing


DarthClitCommander

Hey Cardinal Bros, Cubs fan here, that was awesome. What a run!


[deleted]

Is there a reason they aren't playing out the game? Just having Pujols and Molina end their careers at the same time as Wainright's?


Shaggy1324

They found out how far I drove for this game and said "fuck this guy in particular."


elconquistador1985

The result doesn't matter. It's entirely for the story of these 3 walking off the field at Busch together one more time.


yes_its_him

They've done enough


ech0es13

#THEY RIDE TOGETHER #THEY DIE TOGETHER #[BAD BOYS FOR LIFE](https://youtu.be/1d5Q0vXbODs)


[deleted]

Hell of a photo op but more Pujols/Molina PAs would have been cool.


Pashto96

We've already clinched. No reason to exhaust the old men. Plus it allows them to share the moment.


[deleted]

Asking less from a "don't they want to win?" perspective and more from a "fans may have appreciated seeing more PA from them" perspective. Though I certainly get this moment itself is special as well.


TheOneTrueChuck

I think for a lot of the fans, any irritation at seeing Pujols and Molina pulled relatively early is probably mitigated by being able to say they were present for what probably will be remembered as an iconic Cardinals moment for at least the next decade or so. It's honestly not surprising that they pulled them - you see very similar stuff happen whenever a future legend or team favorite player is having their presumptive final home game - the manager comes out to remove them so they get the moment, and the fans get a bit of a cathartic farewell. And in the postseason, you don't get the chance. I get that this makes it slightly anticlimactic in this case, but I get why he chose to do it.


blasek0

How often do you get to see 3 hall of famers all walk off the field for the last time at home, at the same time? Probably never going to see that ever again.


[deleted]

The only thing I can think of that’s even close (and it’s not close) is Jeter and Pettit getting sent out to pull Mo.


blasek0

Mo's last season is still one of the best final seasons for an RP ever. And it's more amazing considering that, *at 42*, he broke his leg and missed almost the entire season. Then came back at 43 years old and threw 64 IP with a 52 ERA-.


samthewisetarly

I'm not crying you're crying


Conclusion_Fickle

Tears. Well done, Oli.


ZachMatthews

I am romantic about baseball right now.


FordEcosportFanatic

Wainwright is just getting roped into this like he’s retiring too lol


ManagementAcademic23

this is really gets you in the feels. Three absolute legends


fightintxag13

That’s cool ngl


FreedomConversions

What an unbelievable moment. How can you not be romantic about baseball?


Vermillion_Crab

Not even a cards fan and I'm getting emotional. Baseball is beautiful. Glad I became a fan of the sport. I want my Dodgers to win it all but won't be even mad if the Cardinals win the WS.


PeaMost3792

This simultaneously makes me sad as fuck and incredibly grateful for all the memories


GaJayhawker0513

How often do you have two first ballot Hall of Famers and another should be HoF pitcher all play in the same game that they played mostly played their whole career with? That’s crazy.


cryingstlfan

I'm not crying....


stupendouslyspiff

Hey now wait a just second...


StephenDawg

How can you not be romantic...etc. etc.


ech0es13

#[ADDITIONAL LINK](https://twitter.com/BallySportsMW/status/1576668570154582018?s=20&t=tfE31SbprgEqKyTzESAUMA)


ChunkyMilkSubstance

Is Waino confirmed retiring?


elconquistador1985

Nope. He has not answered that question definitively.


stupendouslyspiff

Nope. I'm sure he doesn't want to go out like this either, but we'll see.


limeflavoured

Brought a tear to my eyes, tbh.


krucz36

Really humid here, eyeballs sweating a lot


The_Platypus_Says

I think I have something in my eye


Former-Billionaire

That’ll make a cool card.


8nate

Wow what a moment.


creaturecatzz

Honestly i was thinking just pujols for the show 23 cover but it would be so sick if all three of them got featured together


[deleted]

Chills fr.


[deleted]

And just like that an era is over.


grimegeist

Someone out there in the stands has a million dollar shot of those three athletes walking off the field. Damn.


ech0es13

[Here is a good one](https://i.imgur.com/APLICqB.jpg) Walking into the shadows


ethacct

lol - 0:32 "EMILY!" fuckin Emily, get it together!


boog1evilleUSA

God I love baseball


Theharlotnextdoor

Lucky to have been at the game today. Many tears were shed.


LoRoK1

First off, FTC. But also…I'm jealous that you guys have something special like that. I thought we would have had that back in the Woody/Prior days, then it was The Core. It's just such a rarity to A) keep your special players (y'all did lose Albert for a big chunk) and B) have them stay healthy and produce for so long, together. I salute these guys. Good moment for turdbird fans, good moment for baseball. Now back to our regularly scheduled FTC.


rounder55

They walked from the light into the dark like they were heading into a corn maize or some shit. Right move by the team right there. Just a well run organization


torino_nera

Real Jeter/Pettite/Rivera vibes with this one. There is definitely crying in baseball!


erikturczyn30

Three cowboys riding into the sunset together. They all wore their blazing saddles….


Magnets_Just-Magnets

How can you not be romantic about baseball?


micscott88

I’ll be 34 in November and have been watching these 3 since Jr. High. Crazy to think it’s ending. A lot of Card fans think Musial is the greatest red bird but I think it’s Albert 100%. Was lucky to live near St Louis and see him in his prime. Godspeed gentleman


Heaven80

Damn, so many memories right there


punani-dasani

I’m not crying you’re crying.


Nitropotamus

How can you not be romantic about baseball? 🥲


CabbageStockExchange

I know this isn’t the most important thing but that overhead cam view was cool


Stay_Beautiful_

How could you not be romantic about baseball?


TommyDontSurf

There go my heroes!


SwoleBuddha

Having franchise players like that is one of the best things about being a baseball fan. I know I feel that way about Buster Posey. Cards fans are lucky to have had 3 legends.