'Sad to see two legends go:' Legendary careers of Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina end without a ring in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS – Albert Pujols slowly dressed Saturday evening. He put on a black Roberto Clemente T-shirt, black jeans, and then slipped on a white sweatshirt with a green hood.

Ivan Herrera, a 22-year-old backup catcher, walked over to Pujols, and asked him to autograph his 700 commemorative champagne bottle. He then asked him to sign the Pujols jersey that he clutched in his hand. And profusely thanked him.

Pujols grabbed his backpack and shuffled across the St. Louis Cardinals clubhouse. He said good-bye to the staffers, public relations officials, clubhouse attendants, and the last words that he blurted out to no one in particular:

“Thank you for everything!’’

He walked out of the door for the final time.

Pujols’ glorious career was over.

Pujols had a sensational ending, hitting .323 the second half with 18 of his 24 home runs, finishing his career with 703 home runs – fourth-most of all time.

Only his final season ended prematurely.

The storybook season was supposed to end with Pujols and teammate Yadier Molina winning one final World Series championship together. Instead, it ended with a 2-0 defeat to the Philadelphia Phillies and a quick ouster in the wild-card playoffs, swept in the best-of-five series.

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Pujols, 42, sat on the bench for five, 10, no more than 15 seconds after the final out, and trudged into the Cardinals clubhouse. Manager Oliver Marmol spoke to the team, telling them it was an honor to manage them, particularly Pujols and Molina.

Marmol left the room, and the players began hugging and embracing one another, saying their good-byes, and promising to keep in touch.

All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado choked back tears, saying he still was hurting badly by the outcome, but that it was a dream playing alongside Pujols and Molina in their final seasons. Veteran starter Adam Wainwright talked about the possibility of returning for one more season, disappointed that he didn’t pitch in the postseason, but honored that Molina was his catcher for 328 games, a major-league record.

“Sad to see two legends go,’’ Wainwright said. “I don’t know if we’ll see a catcher like him again. I don’t know if we’ll see 700 again. It’s been a blessing and pleasure for me to be a teammate.’’

It was a popular refrain throughout the clubhouse, and as painful as it was seeing them walk off the field one last time without another World Series title, they’ll cherish the moment from their final at-bats.

Pujols hit a one-out single in his final at-bat in the eighth inning – his second hit of the game. Molina hit a single with two outs in the ninth inning in his last at-bat, with the sellout crowd of 48,515 serenading him with a standing ovation.

Then, it was over, with the two icons taking off their Cardinals’ uniform for the final time, trying to put in words just what it meant winning two World Series championships together.

Five years from now, they’ll be going into Cooperstown together as first-ballot Hall of Famers.

“It’s difficult knowing that I played my last game as a professional,’’ Pujols said. “I’ve been wearing a uniform for 23 years in the big leagues. I’m really proud. I enjoyed every single moment in my career. There’s nothing to regret.’’

Pujols, who received a standing ovation every time he stepped to the plate, with the fans showing their unadulterated love for him all season, gave him one final ovation when he walked off the field for a pinch-hitter Ben DeLuzio.

The crowd, wanting so badly to believe there would be at least one more game, with Pujols leaving with two runners on base and one out, but then watched their two MVP candidates, Paul Goldschmidt and Arenado strike out. These All-Star corner infielders, who led the Cardinals all season, went just one-for-15 with six strikeouts in the series.

“It sucks and hurts to lose like that, losing the game like that,’’ Arenado said. “We wanted to win for those guys. Albert, Yadi, those guys were legends. It was such an honor playing with them. We wanted to do it for them, but we just couldn’t get it done. It hurts seeing them go out this way.’’

While the Cardinals players, coaches and staff members were emotional after the game, Pujols and Molina showed little reaction. Maybe they were numb. Maybe it was too early to comprehend the finality of the moment.

“There’s nothing to be sad about,’’ Pujols said. “I tried my best. There’s nothing I should feel sorry for.

“I closed that chapter of my life, and will enjoy the next chapter of my life too. I’m sure it will be fun.’’

Pujols remained mostly stoic talking to the media for eight minutes, while Molina frequently smiled and laughed, and was much more animated than normal. He talked about playing for 19 years with one organization, what the fans meant to him, and even praying before his last at-bat to get a hit, extending the season.

“This is my home, and the fans gave me so much support over the years,’’ Molina said. “These are the best fans in baseball right here. I’m going to miss them. I’m going to miss being around my teammates. This clubhouse. I’m even going to miss you guys [reporters].’’

Molina laughed, 40, knowing he’ll have to keep dealing with the media. He will be the manager for the Puerto Rican team in the World Baseball Classic. One day, he wants to be a major-league manager, too.

For now, Pujols and Molina insist, it will take time for their retirements to sink in. It won’t be a matter of weeks, Pujols says, but months. Maybe even longer. Maybe not even until next year, Molina says.

They’ve been in the big leagues for 41 years. They’ve played 5,304 games. They’ve combined for 21 All-Star appearances, 11 Gold Glove awards, seven Silver Sluggers, and two World Series championships.

You can’t simply end your career one day, and wrap your mind around it the next.

“Being around the guys,’’ Pujols says, “I’m going to miss. The memories of being around my teammates, the fans, spring training, the crack of the bat. Those are the things your going to miss.

“But I won’t miss you guys [reporters]. I guarantee 100% on that. No, 110%.’’

Pujols and Molina will forever be known as Cardinals greats, and surely will be inducted into their Hall of Fame. They’re convinced they’re leaving the team in good hands, and that Wainwright, Goldschmidt and Arenado will fill any leadership void. Who knows, if the Cardinals are back in the postseason a year from now, they may return simply as fans, sitting in those red seats, and soaking in the atmosphere?

“We got some great talent here,’’ Molina says. “They’re going to be in this situation for many years, I guarantee that. Hopefully, they can win it all.’’

In the meantime, they plan to stick around for another day or so in St. Louis before parting. Molina will head to Puerto Rico. Pujols will return to California.

They may not be squatting behind the plate, hitting home runs into the seats, or being doused with champagne again, but their relationship will never fade.

“We may not be teammates any longer,’’ Pujols says, “but he’ll be my little brother forever. The relationships I have, those will never go away. The same with these memories.

“How can I ever forget?’’

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Albert Pujols', Yadier Molina's careers end without a ring in St. Louis