Did Albert Pujols’ wife announce his retirement on social media?
She did. But then immediately backtracked. Pujols, who is 41, is a 10-time All-Star, three-time NL MVP, and has two World Series titles with the Cardinals. Pujols’ wife posted on her Instagram account “Today is the first day of the last season of one of the most remarkable careers in sports!” Which certainly seems like a retirement announcement for sure! Shortly thereafter, she amended that statement with “based on his contract.”
Then at approximately 4:30pm CT she clarified completely:
“THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF PUJOLS RETIREMENT IM SIMPLY SENDING MY HUSBAND WITH BLESSINGS INTO 2021 SEASON 😇🙏🏻!! Today is the first day of the last season (based on his contract) of one of the most remarkable careers in sports! I’m talking about my husband @albertpujols who since the time he was a child would eat, sleep, and breath this sport. I have had the privilege to walk out 23 years of this baseball journey and it is with such a full heart that I speak a blessing over him as he finishes this good race! I’ve never known anyone more dedicated, disciplined and consistent than Albert. He has loved the game, he has hurt for the game, and he made sacrifices for this game as if it was his own child. He has grown from just a zealous young man into a confident leader who so many look up to. We by no means are perfect and he is definitely not a machine as so many have called him but he has given all he had to make sure we all had a victory to experience with him on the field. Albert says he doesn’t want to be known for what he did on the field but rather who he was off the field...today I will celebrate both! God isn’t finished with you yet my love and as you finish out this season I know, already prepared for you is another journey full of goodness waiting on a the other side. Thank you for 21 years of incredible baseball thrills! Finish strong like the Angel you are and I know you will wow us all this 2021 season as usual! 700 we are coming after you 🙌🔥🎉#700homeruns #lastseason #baseball #mlb #baseballplayer #albertpujols #angelsbaseball”
After the 2020 season, Pujols’ 10-year, $240M contract with the Angels comes to an end. It will be his 21st season in the majors. He is also number 5 on the MLB all-time home runs list. Regardless of his wife’s exploits on Instagram today, Pujols remains non-committal about a return to baseball in 2022. With 662 career home runs, he is considered one of the greatest hitters of our time, parlaying power and consistency at the plate into a 21 year career.
If this really is the end, it’s time to watch some Angels baseball. We may never see another one like him in our lifetime. If not, enjoy the rest of the ride!
