ST. LOUIS — Let me tell you a story.
The setting was familiar, yet slightly altered. A man in red being showered with love by a sea of red.
An opposing player steps into the box at Busch Stadium for his seventh at-bat of the series. He receives his seventh standing ovation of the series, causing everyone to stop, applaud, take pics, and notice the moment.
He proceeds to hit an absolute rocket to left field for a solo home run, cutting into the Cardinals' lead. The crowd stands and applauds loudly for an opposing player.
After he reaches homeplate and goes back to the dugout, the crowd demands a curtain call from this visiting player. What? He gives it to them, even appearing a little emotional.
Why does this happen? Because that player is Albert Pujols.
After receiving the homecoming of a lifetime, Pujols satisfied the hearts and minds of St. Louis baseball fans with a blast from the past, sending a pitch from Dakota Hudson into the warm summer air of Busch. Just like old times, a sight that many here should recall like Stan Musial's batting stance, Lou Brock's lead off second base, Chris Carpenter's scowl or Yadier Molina's piercing glare from behind home plate. You recognize it like a human being recognizing the one that got away.
It's a special moment for so many because, for 11 magical seasons, Pujols touched so many baseball lovers with his heroics. All it takes is one glance at Baseball Reference to see all the BOLD marks around his statistics, or a brief flirtation with YouTube to get the visuals.
I was getting ready to leave the house for errands, and I told my son we had to wait.
"Why?"
"A legend has returned after many years out west, and we have to watch it."
"A legend?"
"Yes. A true legend."
Vinny and I watched Pujols smash one into the stands, and I could see the confused, yet intrigued, look in his eyes. After all, he was born during the amazing World Series run of 2011, or that time when Pujols hit three home runs in a single World Series game, joining Reggie and The Babe.
Pujols back in St. Louis is sports at its best. The press conference where he spoke about Darryl Kile, the hugs with Yadier Molina, and the presence on the field. More than anything, it reminds us that this is a playful game of happiness. At the core, it's a game of love. Just watch how many times Pujols smiles this weekend. He can't contain it. Neither can we.
Saturday afternoon, after a vicious thunderstorm was scared out of the city by the Pujols stare, big #5 hit one into the air, high and far, one last time in his old stomping ground. A place he used to call home, and against all odds, still does.
An opposing player hitting a big home run late in a game against the home team is not a sight many Cardinals fans would like. Today was different. It's Albert Pujols after all. We'll let this one slide.
