TEMPE, Ariz. — In past years, when Albert Pujols came as a guest instructor to Angels camp, he was in the more immediate aftermath of his playing career. One of the greatest all-time players, he was still a novice to the game’s teaching element.
This time, however, he arrived as his coaching career has taken off, and he’s hoping to take the next steps of leveraging his legendary playing career into the role of a big league skipper.
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More immediately, Pujols confirmed reports that he will manage the Dominican Republic, his home country, in the World Baseball Classic next year. The move comes after Pujols won a Dominican Winter League championship this year, leading Escogido to a title over Licey.
“I feel really proud, not just to be able to represent my country as a player, when I did it,” Pujols said of his WBC duties. “But now to be able to lead a great group of guys, I’m really excited. I’m really pumped up.”
Pujols, 45, has said he views these managerial opportunities as a chance to grow, with the ultimate goal of becoming a big league manager some time in the not-too-distant future. He left open the possibility of taking over the reins as a skipper somewhere, as soon as 2026.
He already has a host of responsibilities, in addition to his winter ball and WBC gigs. He’s also a special assistant to Commissioner Rob Manfred, an MLB Network analyst, and is paid $1 million annually by the Angels as part of his 10-year personal services contract.
A big league managerial role would likely supersede all of that for Pujols.
“If the opportunity is right and they open the door for me, I always say openly that I want an opportunity here in the big leagues,” he said. “I think being in Winter League and doing it this year, it gave me the experience that I needed. I think it prepared me for the big job.”
Pujols retired from playing after the 2022 season, which he spent back with the Cardinals. He hit 703 home runs and won two World Series rings during his 22-year legendary run. He’ll be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2028, but clearly hopes to be leading a club well before that.
Angels manager Ron Washington lauded Pujols as a great presence in camp, given his experience and accomplishments. “It won’t be long before he has a managing job, that’s for sure.”
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“Time will tell, whenever the opportunity comes,” Pujols said. “If there is some team knocking this year or next year, then why not? Right now, I have a job, which is focusing on the World Baseball Classic. But if there is any club knocking on the door, I would be open to hear that.”
Pujols believes Angels can be World Series contenders
Pujols arrived in Tempe on Sunday to spend several days at Angels big league camp before going to work with the organization’s minor leaguers in Scottsdale. He said he also spends some time every year at their complex in the Dominican.
The soon-to-be Hall of Famer spent 10 seasons with the Angels, where he made the playoffs just once and did not win a postseason game.
When asked how close he felt the organization was to putting a winning product on the field, Pujols lauded his former club.
“I think they put a winning product (on the field) every year,” he said. “I think the problem is injuries. When you’ve got the guys that you’re counting on getting hurt, it’s hard to replace those guys. The biggest things is that, I think if the organization is able to keep guys healthy, guys being on the field and produce, I think we have a pretty good chance to win a championship.”
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(Photo: Jonathan Moore / Getty Images)
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