The third baseman of the San Diego Padres, Manny Machado, had some comments regarding what is happening this season with his colleague Albert Pujols, or rather what is not happening.
Manny Machado, who claimed to be a fan of Pujols and considers him “the best player of his time”, believes that the player has not had the treatment he deserves in the MLB in what is his last season in the Major Leagues after an illustrious career that saw him play for 22 years.
I’ll tell you something. It’s s*** that teams aren’t giving him a farewell tour. I’ll tell you that right now. Why? Albert has been the best player in our generation to ever play this game, and to see him doing the things he’s doing— I mean, it’s just unbelievable.
Manny Machado to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
The player also praised the St. Louis Cardinals for giving Albert Pujols the chance to play one final year and retire from the team that saw him become an MLB legend, since his departures from the Angels and the Los Angeles Dodgers hadn’t had enough impact for a legend like his.
It’s pretty special that St. Louis gave him the opportunity to come back and finish his career as a Cardinal.
Manny Machado
Manny Machado also confirmed that the San Diego Padres will have a September tribute planned for both Pujols and teammate Yadier Molina, who will also retire at the end of the season after a 19-year career.
Albert Pujols is a living legend on the Cardinals
Manny Machado may be a controversial guy, but you have to agree with him when he is right : Albert Pujols made history in St. Louis and will be remembered as one of the organization’s greatest legends.
Albert Pujols debuted with the Cardinals in 2001 and remained with the organization until 2011. During those ten years he was called to the All-Star Game eight times, was crowned World Series champion twice, was MVP of the League National three times, Rookie of the Year in 2001, won two Gold Gloves, six Silver Sluggers, and was the batting leader in the National League in 2003, homeruns leader in 2009 and 2010 and RBI leader in 2010.
In addition to that, Albert Pujols is currently the fifth player who has hit the most homeruns in the MLB with 683 to date and he is, along with Miguel Cabrera, the only active player who belongs to the 3,000 hit club with 3,319.
The New York Mets and San Francisco Giants have already had recognitions for Pujols and Yadier Molina earlier in the season, and they surely won’t be the only teams to do so between now and the end of the MLB season.