NEW YORK -- Albert Pujols is currently on his last trip to New York as a player, having announced in Spring Training that he would retire as an active player after the 2022 season.

Prior to Wednesday night's game -- when he made some history in the Cardinals' 11-4 loss to the Mets -- the 10-time All-Star talked about his biggest memories in the Big Apple. The biggest one, of course, was being part of the 2006 Cardinals, who defeated the Mets in seven games at Shea Stadium for the National League pennant. Catcher Yadier Molina hit the game-winning homer in the top of the ninth inning to help St. Louis advanced to the World Series.

“It was two great teams. We saw Adam Wainwright strikeout out Carlos Beltran [to help] us advance to the World Series. It was pretty awesome,” Pujols said. “There are memories you are going to take with you, especially being here in the last year here in [New York City]. I hope I will be here many more times [after retirement].”

Pujols has spent most of the season as a bat off the bench and he has accepted the role. Entering Wednesday’s action, the Cards legend was hitting .239 with two home runs and six RBIs. He loves pushing his teammates to do well and he is like an extra coach in the dugout. For example, Pujols receives a lot of questions from first baseman Juan Yepez and Pujols is willing to answer all of them. Pujols recalled that when he was a rookie in 2001, he asked a lot of questions to veterans like Placido Polanco and Edgar Renteria.

"At the end of the day, the earlier they can learn, the better it’s going to be by the end of their career, I’m glad to talk to [Yepez],” Pujols said. “… It takes me back to 22 years ago, asking questions. He wants to get better. He knows he belongs here. He has the talent and ability to be here. One thing I told him last night is, ‘Never feel comfortable. Continue to work.’”

Pujols credited the Dodgers -- a team he spent time with last season -- for helping him come up with a routine while coming off the bench.

“It’s been fun,” he said. “It’s been great just being around the young guys -- just getting to know them six, seven weeks into the season, how to approach them, what they like and what they don’t like.”

After his playing career is over, Pujols is not sure what he wants to do. He does have a personal service contract with the Angels, the team he played for from 2012-21. He would like to travel during the summer and take his family on a nice summer vacation, something he has not done during his playing career.

“I can’t control the future. For me, I’m letting God open doors, whether it’s in baseball or something else,” he said.