Message Is Clear: Cardinals Fans Want Pujols Back

(ST. LOUIS) -- Hundreds of thousands of fans jammed downtown St. Louis Sunday to honor the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.

Sunday also officially marked the fact that Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols is now a free agent.  But the message was clear from fans: they'd like him to stay.  Along the streets Pujols drew loud cheers and had a long standing ovation at Busch Stadium. 

When asked on the podium if he'd like to be back for another celebration next season, he smiled and said, "Hey, why not?" 

Pujols spent 11 seasons with St. Louis and isn't sure if the Cardinals, a mid-market franchise, will be able to -- or will be willing to -- give him a long-term, lucrative contract.  He hit 455 homers and was part of two World Series teams during the first 11 seasons of his career.

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