Albert Pujols returning to Cardinals, says he will retire after 2022 MLB season

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Legendary first baseman and likely Hall of Famer Albert Pujols on Monday announced he will retire following the 2022 MLB season, telling reporters, "This is it."

Pujols will finish his career where he started, as he agreed to a one-year $2.5 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, reuniting the franchise with one of its most decorated players of all time. He will wear uniform No. 5, which the team never reissued following its 2011 World Series championship season.

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"We are pleased and excited to have Albert return to the Cardinals for the upcoming season," said Cardinals Chairman Bill DeWitt, Jr., in a statement. "This reunion with Albert is a wonderful opportunity for not only him and the Cardinals, but also for our great fans, the St. Louis community, our players and staff, and everyone connected to the St. Louis Cardinals organization. We look forward to seeing Albert in the ‘Birds on the Bat’ once again, and wearing his familiar uniform number 5." 

St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols hits a solo home run during the ninth inning of Game 3 of baseball's World Series against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, in this, Oct. 22, 2011, file photo.  (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

The signing will give Pujols, 42, an apparent retirement tour with the team that drafted him in 1999 and for where he played his first 11 years in the MLB. 

"Seldom does one get to share in watching or being a part of ‘living’ history," said Cardinals’ President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak. "From the day we called Albert’s name in the draft room back in 1999, to now, as we set our sights on 2022, this