Already the unofficial winner of comeback of the year for his return to St. Louis and captivating surge toward 700 career home runs, Albert Pujols received Major League Baseball’s official honor Tuesday night.
The Cardinals’ designated hitter received the National League’s Comeback Player of the Year Award to cap his final season in the majors.
Houston’s Justin Verlander won the American League award.
Other players to receive support in the National League included Cardinals' closer Ryan Helsley, who returned from knee and arm injuries; Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., who returned from knee surgery; and Philadelphia pitcher Mark Appel, the first overall pick in 2013 who stepped away from baseball from 2018-2020 and finally reached the majors for the first time with six games in 2022.