(670 The Score) As the Cubs put it, “We can’t say we’ll miss you” – but we do respect you.
Ahead of a series finale Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field, the Cubs honored a pair of Cardinals icons in first baseman/designated hitter Albert Pujols and catcher Yadier Molina. Both players plan to retire at the end of the 2022 season, and this marked the Cardinals’ final road trip to Wrigley Field this year.
With that in mind, the Cubs held a short pregame ceremony to honor Pujols and Molina. The Cubs gifted Pujols (No. 5) and Molina (No. 4) with their respective numbers off the Wrigley Field scoreboard and made donations to the players’ charities.
“To two fierce competitors, Roberto Clemente Award winners with accolades to spare,” the Cubs wrote on Twitter. “We can't say we'll miss you. You tormented us for two decades to earn this honor. We know you'll remember Wrigley Field fondly. Congratulations on your careers, Albert and Yadi.”
Pujols, 42, had played 196 career games against the Cubs entering Thursday, when he wasn’t in the starting lineup. He has hit 58 of his 693 career homers against them. Of those 58 homers against the Cubs, 30 had come at Wrigley Field across 100 games. Pujols was hitting .292 with a .995 OPS in his career against the Cubs. He’s a three-time MVP and an 11-time All-Star.
Molina, 40, had played 245 career games against the Cubs entering Thursday, when he also wasn’t in the starting lineup. He has hit .283 with a .750 OPS in his career against the Cubs. Molina is a 10-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove winner.
Since 2001, when Pujols was called up by St. Louis to the big leagues, the Cardinals have won nine NL Central crowns across 21 seasons. They took a 5.5-game lead in the division into play Thursday.
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