What I love about the Albert Pujols reunion

There's something unprecedented about this season

The hardest work for a sportswriter is suppressing your childhood desire for the game as you cover a team’s comings and goings. The Albert Pujols reunion has a special spice to it.

Days after writing that I was technically Switzerland on the matter (aka I could take either resolution), the Cardinals brought Pujols home. Around the same time the Oscars were being remembered for the slap heard around the world, Jose Alberto Pujols will wear Cardinal red.

Here’s my favorite part of the ordeal. The improbability of it all, and the manner in which the whole thing played out. From not being a fit for the Birds in the middle of the 2021 season to being urged on by new manager Oliver Marmol and longtime Pujols best friend Yadier Molina, it was a mini roller coaster.

The fan discussion was polarizing. Half of Cardinal Nation referred to it as a poor idea, while the other half obliged the absurdity yet accepted the romantic part of it.

No matter how you slice it, it’s unlikely. 21 years ago, Pujols made his debut. 11 years ago, after winning his second World Series title with the team, he departed for the Angels. After a brief pitstop in Chavez Ravine last summer, he’ll be under the lights at Busch Stadium wearing that sexy home jersey. The white layout, pair of redbirds on the bat, and the illustrious #5 on the back.