Albert Pujols interviews with Angels. Could he be best player to manage?
Albert Pujols, the future first ballot Hall of Famer, interviewed for the Los Angeles Angels’ managerial vacancy on Thursday, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team didn’t plan to announce interviews.
The meeting went well between Pujols and Angels general manager Perry Minasian, with Pujols reiterating his desire for the job, but no offer was formally made, according to a person with direct knowledge of the talks.
“For me, I’ve always been serious about everything that I do in this game,’ Pujols told USA TODAY Sports in March, “and now I’m serious about managing. This game has done so much for me, and now, I want to give back.
“I’m ready.’
The Angels’ managerial job became vacant when the Angels did not pick up Ron Washington’s 2026 option.
If he becomes a manager, Pujols, an 11-time All-Star, three-time MVP and two-time World Series champion who hit 703 homers, would become the first 700-homer hitter to ever manage in the major leagues. Pujols, 45, retired after the 2022 season. He became a special assistant to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, worked as an analyst for the MLB Network, and has been a guest instructor each spring with the Angels, honoring his 10-year, $10 million personal services contract.
Pujols, who recently married Nicole Fernandez, the daughter of former Dominican president Leonel Fernandez, managed Leones del Escogido to the Caribbean Series championship this past winter. He is scheduled to manage the Dominican Republic next spring in the World Baseball Classic, but would abandon the post if he lands the Angels job.
“He’s ready,’ said Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa, who managed Pujols 11 years in St. Louis. “And he’s going to be great.
“You talk about integrity. You talk about his IQ. You talk about his discipline. I call him ‘APP: Albert Perfect Pujols.’ When a guy has that much to offer and has so much love for the game, the game benefits when he wants to stay active and share.’
Certainly, there are plenty of star players who have become Hall of Fame-caliber managers. Joe Torre was a nine-time All-Star and batting champion, leading the Yankees to four World Series. Dusty Baker was a two-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove winner, leading five different teams to the postseason with three pennants and a World Series title. Lou Piniella was an All-Star and two-time World Series champion, and led three different teams to the playoffs and won a World Series championship.
“The key is not whether you’re a great player or not, but whether you have that love for the game,’ La Russa said. “Torre, Dusty, they love the game. And Albert loves the game. He always had the mental side commitment, and was inquisitive, always talking about the game. … So, if you have somebody with the kind of greatness like Albert, and is still motivated to stay close to the game, it’s a win-win for all of us.’’
San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt, who has known Pujols since 2005 during their time together in St. Louis, said: “I truly believe he’s doing to be a tremendous asset to any organization. A lot about managing is caring about people, and Albert does that. He has such attention to detail. He’s very clear in his messaging, a very principled guy with a great reputation. Really, he’s almost out of central casting for a manager.’
Now, he could be the greatest player to ever be a major-league manager, with Minasian predicting this spring that Pujols would be successful no matter where he manages.
“I always felt his baseball acumen is second-to-none,’ Minasian said. “His desire to win is second-to-none. And his ability to connect with all different kind of players, and make players believe in themselves is a hell of an attribute.
“Just the person, take the baseball part of it out, is impressive. The honesty. The belief. Everything. I think he can do whatever he wants in this game.’’
In the words of Angels great Mike Trout: “I think he’s going to be a great, great manager.’
Pujols, who’s looking forward to pursuing opportunity, believes in his heart he’ll be successful, too.
“I’d love the opportunity to give back to the game of baseball,’’ Pujols said. “I know I don’t have the experience as a manager, but 23 years in this game, you go through a lot. I’m talking about experience from baseball, being on the field and in the locker room. It’s not going from a university to try to be a manager and not having any baseball experience. Old-school mentality can help young mentality.
“I’ve learned from some of the best managers in the game. I believe with my experience, and the way I can communicate with players, I can have success. …
“If they give me the opportunity, I can promise you that I’m going to do my best to prepare the team to win a World Series. Is that a guarantee? No. But I can guarantee that I will prepare the guys to play the game just like I did with that mentality and toughness.’’
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This story has been updated with new information.