Watch Albert Pujols congratulate Paul Goldschmidt on NL MVP award (Video)

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt received a congratulatory message from teammate Albert Pujols after winning the 2022 NL MVP award.

MLB awards week reached its conclusion on Thursday night, where the league, media, and fans will find out who are the MVPs of the American and National Leagues. When it comes to the NL, the St. Louis Cardinals had two out of the three finalists for the award — first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and third baseman Nolan Arenado.

The winner of the NL MVP was none other than Goldschmidt, the first of his career after finishing as the runner-up in 2013 and 2015. The award was presented to him by none other than his teammate and recently retired Albert Pujols.

Albert Pujols presents NL MVP award to teammate Paul Goldschmidt

“This is the first one of many more hopefully to come. Well deserved,” said Pujols. “What an honor to play with you this year. What I love about you is the way you conduct yourself off the field and the field, the great teammate that you are and what an honor just to say that I played the final year in St. Louis and played with, I would say, one of the best first basemen in the game right now.”

The Cardinals’ batting order was dangerous this season, as Goldschmidt was one of the best hitters in the NL, alongside Arenado. Then in the final half of the season, Pujols went on a torrid hot streak, eventually reaching the 700 home run club before the end of his career. The team clinched the NL Central title, but lost in the Wild Card Series to the Philadelphia Phillies.

After their postseason run ended, Pujols’ retirement became official.

This regular season, Goldschmidt led the league with a .578 slugging percentage, a .981 OPS, and 180 OPS+. He recorded a .317 batting average, 35 home runs, 115 RBI, and 178 hits.

Goldschmidt received 22-of-30 first-place votes and eight second-place votes tor receive 380 points.

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado received seven first-place votes and 291 points. Arenado got the final first-place vote and finished third-place with 232 points.

What a way for Goldschmidt to receive his very first MVP award — presented by teammate and the legendary Pujols.