Cardinals Fans Finally Accepting Albert Pujols' Fate is Best Story of MLB Season So Far

Albert Pujols' performance in his highly anticipated return to St. Louis was underwhelming to say the least, going 1-for-2 with an infield single and a walk.

However, the ovation he received from the St. Louis crowd was anything but underwhelming. They showed unmeasurable love for the future Hall-of-Fame slugger.

Pujols' career is littered with success in St. Louis and it's heartwarming to see the Cardinals' faithful embrace their former first baseman like they did Friday night.

In 11 seasons with the Cardinals, Pujols slashed .328/.420/.617 with 445 home runs and 1,329 RBI. Pujols was a model of consistency for the team, as he hit under .300 only once in his Cardinals' career, and that 2011 season saw him hit .299. He won two World Series and three MVP awards with the team, and his 445 home runs are second in Cardinals franchise history.

Since bolting for the Angels in 2011, things haven't been as rosy. In eight seasons with Los Angeles, Pujols is slashing .258/.315/.452 with 200 home runs and 693 RBI. The production hasn't matched the 10-year, $240 million contract he signed in 2011, but its good to see the animosity from Cardinals' fans has died down since his departure eight seasons ago.

Pujols, now 39 years old, only has a few years of baseball left, and the ovation he received in his return to St. Louis was just the icing on the cake of a Hall-of-Fame career.