The St. Louis Cardinals have two of the best infielders in the game in first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and third baseman Nolan Arenado. But even those two stars hold deference for Albert Pujols.
Despite being the new addition this season, the Cardinals icon has rubbed off on his younger counterparts already after signing a one-year, $2.5 million deal to return to the team he once ruled.
Both Goldschmidt and Arenado were vocal on how Albert Pujols has impacted them early in a recent sitdown with Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
“Just having his presence around has made us better,” Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt said. “He’s one of the greatest hitters of all time and we are all learning from him.
“Watching him work and his focused mindset and competitiveness raises the level of everyone. He has also shared his knowledge and wisdom in the batting cage, meetings, and during the game. He’s a guy my whole career I’ve tried to imitate on and off the field and it’s great to get the opportunity to play with him this year. I really can’t say enough good things about him. I love him.”
The Cardinals are 7-3 to start the season, thanks in part to a resurgent Albert Pujols. The three-time MVP has hit .389 through 21 plate appearances thus far. But it's the day-to-day treatment that's had Arenado admiring what Pujols as part of the new-age Cardinals
Third baseman Nolan Arenado, another accomplished Cardinals veteran and early MVP candidate, offered a similar assessment, saying of Pujols, “He has been leading our meetings, speaking up, checking us, making sure we are ready to go, reminding us of certain things before we step on the field. It’s been really great.”
Albert Pujols is turning heads in a Cardinals uniform. Some things never change.
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