Albert Pujols in the crosshairs for MLB manager

After leading the Leones del Escogido to Dominican Professional Baseball League and Caribbean Series titles, Albert Pujols is ready for his chance to manage in the Major Leagues.

Pujols, who arrived at Angels camp as an instructor on Sunday, said he will officially manage the Dominican Republic in next year’s World Baseball Classic and is eager for the chance to manage in the Major Leagues.

“I’ve always maintained that desire and, if the opportunity is right and they open the door for me, I’ve always said it openly: I want to have the opportunity to be a manager here in the Major Leagues,” Pujols said. “I think being in the Winter League this year gave me the experience I needed and what I needed to learn. And I think it prepared me for the big jump to being a manager in the Major Leagues.”

Pujols, 45, retired as a player after the 2022 season, reaching incredible milestones such as 703 homers, 686 doubles and 2,218 RBIs in a 22-year career that saw him be named an All-Star 11 times, win two World Series and earn three National League MVP awards. He played with the Cardinals from 2001 to 2011 and again in 2022 and with the Angels from 2012 to 2021, plus a stint with the Dodgers in 2021.

Pujols has remained active after his retirement and remains part of the Angels organization as part of a 10-year personal service contract he put together. Fellow Dominicans Vladimir Guerrero and Ervin Santana also joined Pujols as coaches on Sunday.

Pujols, who will be in camp for six days, said he learned a lot during his first foray into managing and could handle a major league club.

“I’m ready for when the opportunity comes,” Pujols said. “If there’s something that catches my eye this year or next year, why not? I think right now I’m focused on the World Baseball Classic, but if there’s a team that comes knocking on my door, I’d be willing to listen to it.”

Angels manager Ron Washington said he believes Pujols has the qualities needed to be a successful manager, especially with his knowledge of the game and the respect he inspires from others. He said he hopes the younger players in camp will use Pujols this week and absorb what he has to say.

“Albert was a student of the game,” Washington said. “During his days in St. Louis, he showed that he was always in the right spot, always did the right thing, always got the big hit, always was the cheerleader for the team. That’s why he has that pedigree. And it won’t be long before he has a job as a manager, that’s for sure.”

Angels superstar Mike Trout, who played with Pujols for 10 seasons, also said he believed Pujols would be a great manager. Pujols helped mentor Trout when he was young and said he learned a lot from him during their time together.

“I think he would be a good manager,” Trout said. “Just the way he interacts with players. I watched him during the offseason in the Dominican Republic and now he’s won some things. It would be great to play for him.”

Pujols could be tough with the media during his time as a player, though, and being a manager involves a lot of interactions with reporters. But he said he would be comfortable talking to reporters before and after games and had no problem with that while managing in the Dominican Republic.

“I talked twice a day, I talked a lot, and I don’t mind talking to the media,” Pujols said. “I just don’t answer questions when I know the media is trying to mislead the manager or the players. So I think that’s when we have a problem because if they ask me a direct question, I don’t have a problem.”

For now, Pujols said he will enjoy working with the young players at this week’s camp and is already focusing on his new role with the Dominican Republic team. He thanked Dominican Republic general manager Nelson Cruz for hiring him and is excited for another new opportunity that will give him even more experience as a manager.

“It’s another door for me and it’s an honor,” said Pujols, who played in the Classic in 2006. “I feel very proud to be able to not only represent my country as a player when I did, but now to be able to lead a great group of guys.”