With Albert Pujols making his return to St. Louis after spending a decade on the West Coast, here are some of his most memorable opening day and Cardinals moments with the club.
2001
In what seems like a premonition, two years after being drafted during the 2001 Spring Training, former St. Louis first baseman and St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer Mark McGwire went to bat for the up and coming Pujols.
McGwire reportedly told then Manager Tony La Russa that if he didn't promote Pujols, "it might be one of the worst moves you make in your career."
La Russa said the story was false, claiming that Pujols made the roster because Bobby Bonilla was injured, but either way, the rest was history.
While the game wasn't one to remember, with the Cardinals losing to the Colorado Rockies 8-0, Pujols made his debut, recording his first career hit — with thousands more to come — against Mike Hampton.
He also became the first MLB player born in the 1980s to play a game in the majors and, funny enough, now the last.
Pujols' first season would be a memorable one with the first baseman as he would win Rookie of the Year, a Silver Slugger Award, and be named an All-Star.
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2006
After losing in the 2005 National League Championship Series to the Houston Astros, the Cardinals opened their 2006 campaign against the Phillies.
Coming off an NL MVP season, Pujols opened the season with a vengeance hitting two home runs — what would be the start of four home runs in four consecutive plate appearances — and recording two walks and three runs.
The Cardinals went on to beat the Phillies 13 to 5 as they started the season in what would end up being the team's first World Series campaign since 1982.
Pujols didn't do so bad that year either, finishing with 49 Home runs and 119 runs while hitting .331 and slugging .671.
2009
The future Hall of Famer was himself on Opening Day 2009, recording three hits and a double in a loss to the Pirates.
However, 18 games later, on April 25, 2009, Pujols would record his 1,000th RBI in an 8-2 trouncing of the Cubs.
Pujols recorded the RBI in classic Pujols fashion, hitting a 441-foot grand slam.
The 2009 campaign was the last MVP season the first baseman has had, as he also ended up being named an all-star that year, taking home the Fielding Bible Award, the Hank Aaron Award, a Silver Slugger Award, and the NL home run title.
2004
Fresh off a hot start to his career Pujols signed a massive $100 million contract in the 2004 offseason that would keep him with the club for seven more years.
The contract would be the last he signed with the club, until 2022, and Pujols started the season against the Brewers, going 1 for 4 with a double and two RBIs.
2004 was the Cardinal's first year back to the World Series since they lost to the Twins in 1987, and this year didn't have a better outcome.
The Cardinals lost to the Red Sox in what would be the ending of the Curse of the Bambino.
While it wasn't a great end to the season, it would be Pujols' first trip to the big stage and not his last, as he would go back and leave with a championship two years later.
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2011
In what would end up being the last season of his first tenure with the Cardinals, Pujols started the year hitless against the Padres in a 5-3 loss.
However, Pujols' slow start to the season was not a sign of things to come for the team as the slugger put up solid numbers and ended the year with a particular trophy in hand.
Pujols put up 37 home runs and 99 RBIs in his last World Series appearance and victory. However, Pujols would end up turning down a contract offer from St. Louis in the offseason and instead take a deal with the Angels.
2022
The return of an all-time great will kick off the season today at 3:15 p.m. when the Cardinals take on the Pirates.
Pujols returns to Busch Stadium in what he says will be his last season in the MLB. The future Hall of Famer will look to add to his already historic numbers of 3,301 hits, 679 home runs, and 2,150 RBIs.
With a new manager and stacked team, the Cardinals will look to send Pujols out on top like few greats do, with a championship ring on his finger.
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