Albert Pujols walked off the field Friday night as a World Series champion for the second time in his career, but did the three-time NL MVP also do so for the final time as a member of the Cardinals?  Read more after the jump.
Pujols is set to become a free agent in the coming days, and while most expect him to remain with the only team for which he has played, he wasn’t making any such declarations after St. Louis’ Game 7 win.
Asked whether he considered that this might be his last game as a Cardinal, Pujols said, “I don’t think that’s a question right now that you should ask. Just enjoy the moment, man.”
Lance Berkman said he walked up to Pujols during the celebration and told him, “Come back and let’s do this again,” but Pujols wasn’t concerned with anything other than the champagne celebration going on inside the Cardinals clubhouse.
“I’m going to pray about it and whatever decision I make, hopefully it will be the best decision for my family, the fans and for everybody,” Pujols said. “Right now, I’m just going to celebrate with the guys. To talk about my contract right now, that’s the last thing I’m thinking about.”
General manager John Mozeliak was soaking in the celebration after putting together the 11th World Series champion in franchise history, but he knows he’ll be busy as free agency begins next week.
I’m trying to enjoy the moment, but I know there’s going to be more work to do, Mozeliak said. I would say I have about a 72-hour window to enjoy this, then I’ll be right back at it Monday.
