Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Pujols gets curtain call at Busch Stadium after HR

Written by 
Published in Baseball
Saturday, 22 June 2019 14:56

ST. LOUIS -- The last time the Angels' Albert Pujols homered at Busch Stadium, it was a championship season. When he did it Saturday, it wasn't the World Series, but it sure felt like it.

Pujols, 39, homered in the seventh inning off Cardinals starter Dakota Hudson, setting off another celebration in a weekend that's been full of them, all for a visiting player who left St. Louis nearly eight years ago.

"Trying to walk around the bases and get to the plate, and trying to get in the dugout and hold everything in," Pujols said. "Man, that was hard.

"It's gonna be up there for me -- for my career, for my family, my wife Deidre and my five kids and my friends and family that are here in town. It's just a moment that I will treasure forever."

It was Pujols' first long ball at Busch since he left the Cardinals after helping the franchise to its 11th World Series crown in 2011. Pujols returned to the ballpark in Friday's game, kicking off two days of standing ovations, tips of the cap and, after the homer, a curtain call.

Angels manager Brad Ausmus was asked if he had ever seen a curtain call for a player on the road team in a big league game.

"No," Ausmus said, after thinking it over. "I don't believe I have."

The Cardinals won the game 4-2, which made it easier for Pujols' old friends to enjoy the reunion.

"What a special moment for him, the whole stadium and really Cardinal Nation," Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. "Listen, he's an icon, a living legend. Very few of them have a chance to come back and perform."

Hudson said he was fine with the crowd's reaction.

"It's no disruption; the guy deserves that ovation," the pitcher said. "He's done a lot for this organization, and I think he's a staple as a Cardinal player."

It was Pujols' 111th career home run at Busch, the third venue in St. Louis to bear that name. That's 23 more than second-place Matt Holliday. It was his first time going deep in St. Louis since Sept. 22, 2011, a regular-season game against the Mets. Pujols homered five times during the Cardinals' championship run that season, but all came on the road.

Pujols' homer also set a record for dingers in interleague play, breaking the mark he shared with Hall of Famer Jim Thome (65). Pujols moved into a tie with Alex Rodriguez for the most career RBIs in interleague play with 216.

There was little doubt Pujols would make a curtain call as he rounded the bases amid a roar unheard for a player visiting the home venue of a fan base that likes to refer to itself as the best in baseball. He bounded up the steps almost immediately after returning to the dugout, setting off another round of raucous cheers.

"I came out right away," Pujols said, laughing. "I knew they were gonna wait for that. It's just a special moment."

Before that, as Pujols touched home plate, he performed his ritual of touching his chest and pointing to the sky with both hands. Standing nearby was catcher Yadier Molina, one of Pujols' former Cardinals teammates and one of his best friends. As Pujols crossed the plate, Molina literally brought him back to earth: He scooped up some dirt and threw it at Pujols.

But in this week of mass adoration in the Gateway City, Molina was only kidding around. After fessing up to the dirt toss, Molina said, "I'm happy for him."

Based on appearances at Busch Stadium on Saturday afternoon, so was the rest of St. Louis.

"Too bad we lost the game," Pujols said. "But we were able to do something special for the fans. It's been amazing."

Read 458 times

Soccer

Sources: Police question player amid rape claims

Sources: Police question player amid rape claims

EmailPrintA Premier League footballer accused of rape has been questioned by police for a second tim...

Vinícius is a star at Real Madrid, but why not for Brazil?

Vinícius is a star at Real Madrid, but why not for Brazil?

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAdditional reporting by Gustavo Hofman.Vinícius Júnior didn't win t...

Laporte open to joining injury-hit Real Madrid

Laporte open to joining injury-hit Real Madrid

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAl Nassr defender Aymeric Laporte has said he would listen to an ap...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Standings: Biggest surprises and underperformers of the season so far

Standings: Biggest surprises and underperformers of the season so far

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe 2024-25 NBA season is just a few weeks old, and teams are alrea...

At 39, LeBron oldest with 3 straight triple-doubles

At 39, LeBron oldest with 3 straight triple-doubles

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- LeBron James recorded the 40th 30-point triple-doubl...

Baseball

Williams' Medal of Freedom, MVP up for auction

Williams' Medal of Freedom, MVP up for auction

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBOSTON -- Ted Williams' Presidential Medal of Freedom, which was pr...

Guardians, AL Central champions, tweak staff

Guardians, AL Central champions, tweak staff

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- Guardians manager Stephen Vogt made some tweaks to Cle...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated