Albert Pujols admits he considered retiring midseason ‘many times,’ following early season struggles

After making history by finishing his career as one of only four players in Major League Baseball to hit 700 or more home runs, Albert Pujols admitted he almost didn’t.

During the early parts of the season, Pujols struggled to be productive, hitting only .158 and failing to hit a homerun throughout the month of June. The frustration prompted the slugger to retire mid-season.

“No, I did, I swear. There were times when I [asked] myself that, often,” Pujols told MLB.com

But Pujols is now one of only four players in history to have passed 700 home runs in his career

Along with an adjustment to the way he held the bat, Pujols praised those around him in the Cardinals organization for helping him break through his early season struggles.

“When you have good people around you and they encourage you and you realize that God has opened so many doors for you, man, that puts everything back into perspective,” Pujols told MLB.com. ‘I decided, ‘I’ll stick with it!’ I knew sooner or later it would come and turn for me, because it can’t be like all year round.’

According to team president John Mozeliak, several members of the Cardinals organization were aware that Pujols is considering suspending his cleats mid-season.

Pujols in the photo celebrating the 703rd home run of his career against the Pittsburgh Pirates this month

“We were aware that there were difficult times, but we are so happy that he managed to get through them,” said Mozeliak.

St.Louis’ manager Oliver Marmol attributed Pujols and his ability to turn his season around as the reason the Cardinals are currently in the postseason.

“It’s impossible for us to be in this position without Albert leaving,” Marmol said. ‘The evolution of’ [Pujols’ struggles and his period of thriving] was very cool. He did well [trusting his work habits] because he could have easily gone the other way and continued to doubt that the results were not there, especially to the extent that he knows he can contribute.

“But he trusted it. He has made adjustments. And now we’re talking about him carrying the offense for weeks at a time.”