Albert Pujols officially retired from Major League Baseball after the 2022 season, filing his retirement papers on October 31, 2022.

When Did Albert Pujols Retire?

Quick Scoop

Albert Pujols closed out his legendary MLB career at the end of the 2022 season with the St. Louis Cardinals, the team where he first became a star. He made it clear before and during that season that 2022 would be his final year playing professional baseball.

Key Dates

  • He announced 2022 would be his last season when he signed a one-year deal to return to the Cardinals in March 2022.
  • He played his final games in the 2022 postseason with St. Louis.
  • He officially filed his retirement papers on October 31, 2022, formally ending his MLB playing career.

In simple terms: Pujols retired after the 2022 MLB season , with his retirement made officially paperwork‑official on October 31, 2022.

A Little Context & Story Feel

Pujols’ retirement had a kind of storybook arc: he came back to St. Louis in 2022, the city where he became a superstar, for one last run. Fans treated that season like a farewell tour, especially as he chased and passed the 700 home run mark late in the year.

He had already said before the season started that this would be it, regardless of how well he played, which removed any “will he, won’t he” drama as the year went on. By the time the Cardinals’ season ended, everyone understood they were watching the final swings of one of the greatest right- handed hitters ever.

Career Finish Line Highlights

  • Final season : 2022 with the St. Louis Cardinals.
  • Official retirement date (paperwork) : October 31, 2022.
  • Career home runs : 703, making him one of only a few players to surpass 700.
  • MLB seasons played : 22 seasons (2001–2022).

These final numbers locked in his status as a future Hall of Famer the moment he stepped away.

Mini Forum-Style Angle & “Trending” Note

On forums and social media, discussions around “when did Albert Pujols retire” often split into two small camps:

  • People who remember the emotional end of the 2022 season and think of his retirement as that final playoff exit.
  • People who focus on the exact official date, pointing out that he formally retired when he filed his papers on October 31, 2022.

Even now, he pops back into the news whenever people debate all-time great hitters or Hall of Fame “locks,” keeping the topic of his retirement and final season fresh in baseball conversations.

TL;DR: Albert Pujols retired after the 2022 MLB season, and his retirement became official when he filed the paperwork on October 31, 2022.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.