Albert Pujols was almost gifted an unforgettable All-Star Game sendoff

St. Louis Cardinals great Albert Pujols nearly had an unforgettable MLB All-Star Game sendoff, but just missed his chance.

Pujols is an all-time great, but at 42 years old, he’s not the player he used to be.

Nonetheless, when he was added to the National League roster as a commissioner’s choice by Rob Manfred, baseball fans wondered if he would show one last flash of greatness.

That almost came on Tuesday night.

Paul Blackburn of the Oakland Athletics threw Pujols several inside fastballs with the hope he might be able to turn on one — or at least give it a moderate ride. This was all thanks to catcher Alejandro Kirk, who insisted on a pitch the duo know Pujols could hit.

Close, but no cigar.

As great as Pujols is, Blackburn wasn’t about to gift him a free home run. He’d still have to earn it.

MLB All-Star experience an unforgettable one for Albert Pujols

Pujols may not have gotten his sendoff, but he was able to participate in the Home Run Derby, and even defeated Kyle Schwarber in the first round in a memorable 8-1 upset. Pujols was mobbed by his All-Star friends in a celebration he said will always remain one of his favorite baseball memories.

Albert even passed on some advice to his younger NL teammates, leaving some to wonder if he could be a coach after his playing days are over.

“We got to talk, get a few [pieces of] advice and swing tips,” Willson Contreras said. “I wish he could play forever, but that’s impossible. One thing I know for sure is that those kinds of personalities, you want them to hang out around baseball because they’re going to help a lot of young players and help the game grow.”

Something tells me Pujols won’t shy away from that responsibility when the time comes.