Let’s imagine this scenario: Pujols fulfills his 10-year playing contract with the Angels and retires from baseball in 2022. Barring unforeseen, bombshell circumstances, he would have to be considered a sure-fire first-ballot Hall of Famer at that time.
So, Pujols would then become eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2027 – five years after his retirement, but only halfway through his 10-year personal services commitment to Los Angeles.
It’s possible that by that time Pujols might consider himself an Angel more than he does a Cardinal, but as we most recently saw with Andre Dawson being inducted as a Montreal Expo and not a Chicago Cub, players have no say over what team’s cap appears on their Hall of Fame bust. The Hall decides that. So, based on his St. Louis feats, it’s a safe bet that Pujols will be enshrined as a Cardinal.
But, due to his contractual obligations, he won’t be able to really be a Cardinal at Cooperstown during Hall of Fame Induction Weekend.
It’s unlikely Pujols could don any Cardinals gear for photographs. He wouldn’t be able to sign autographs as a Cardinal. And he wouldn’t be able to appear in any capacity that represents the city of St. Louis or his former franchise.