The Angels are reportedly considering a familiar face for their managerial opening, with MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reporting on Wednesday that Albert Pujols will be among those to interview for the job. The Angels have not confirmed the news.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported that Pujols is believed to be Angels owner Arte Moreno’s leading choice to be the team’s next manager. The development comes a day after Los Angeles announced it would not pick up incumbent manager Ron Washington’s contract option for 2026, making the Angels one of eight teams with managerial vacancies for next season.
Pujols, the former three-time MVP and 11-time All-Star, retired after the 2022 season. During a 22-year MLB career that will most certainly earn him a place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Pujols collected 3,384 hits and 703 homers.
After an illustrious run with the Cardinals from 2001-11, when Pujols won his three MVP Awards and a pair of World Series titles in 2006 and ‘11, he signed a then-record-breaking 10-year, $240 million contract with the Angels. In his 10 seasons with the Angels, Pujols hit 222 home runs, including his 500th and 600th home runs, and recorded his 3,000th hit with the club.
Angels superstar Mike Trout, who was Pujols’ teammate for 10 seasons, said back in March he could envision Pujols as a big league skipper. Pujols helped mentor Trout as a youngster and Trout said he learned a lot from him during their time together.
“I think he’d be a good manager,” Trout said. “Just the way he interacts with players. I watched him over the offseason down in the Dominican and he won a few things now. It would be pretty cool to play for him.”
