ANAHEIM, Calif. • One of David Freese’s fans who couldn’t attend his homecoming this past weekend at Busch Stadium still watched from afar and was moved by the standing ovation the former Cardinal received from the St. Louis crowd.

It’s a moment he, Albert Pujols, can’t be sure he’ll get.

The schedule continues to work against him.

“To tell you the truth, it is what it is, but I would love to get back to St. Louis, to play a game there,” said Pujols, a three-time MVP who signed with the Los Angeles Angels after the 2011 season. “I was excited to see Freese. That was special. I thought that 2016 was going to be the chance. It didn’t work. I always tell people I came there a little boy and I left there a grown man. It would be pretty emotional, too. I’m a pretty emotional guy. …”

He paused.

“It would be fun,” he added. “It would be important when that moment comes ...” He took a deep breath.

“I don’t have to think about it until that moment comes.”