Pujols on being Major League manager: 'It won't be long'

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Fresh off leading Leones del Escogido to both the Dominican Professional Baseball League and the Caribbean Series titles, Albert Pujols is ready for his chance to manage in the Majors.

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

“I’ve always held on to 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 big leagues,” Pujols said. “I think being in Winter League this year, it just gave me the experience that I needed and to learn. And I think it prepared me for the big jump to manage in the big leagues.”

Pujols, 45, retired as a player after the 2022 season, reaching incredible milestones such as 703 homers, 686 doubles and 2,218 RBIs over a 22-year career that saw him get named an All-Star 11 times, win two World Series and win three NL MVP Awards. He played with the Cardinals from 2001-2011 and again in '22 and the Angels from 2012-21 in addition to a stint with the Dodgers in '21.

He has stayed active in retirement and remains part of the Angels’ organization as part of a 10-year personal service contract he signed. Fellow Dominican Republic natives Vladimir Guerrero and Ervin Santana also joined Pujols as instructors 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 running a big league club.

“I’m [ready] whenever the opportunity comes,” Pujols said. “If there’s something knocking this year or next year. I mean, why not? I think right now I’m focusing on the World Baseball Classic, but if there's any ballclub knocking on the door, I'd be open to hear that.”

Angels manager Ron Washington said he believes Pujols has the qualities it takes to be a successful skipper, especially because of his knowledge of the game and the respect he commands from others. He said he hopes the younger players in camp utilize Pujols this week and soak up what he has to say.

“Albert was a student of the game,” Washington said. “His days in St. Louis, he proved that he always was in the right place, always doing the right thing, always came up with 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 managing job, that's for sure.”

Angels superstar Mike Trout, who played with Pujols for 10 seasons, also said he thinks Pujols would make a great manager. Pujols helped mentor Trout as a youngster and he 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.”

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

“I talked twice a day, did a lot of talking 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 trick the manager or the players. So I think that's when we have a problem because if you come straight forward with a question, I don't have any problems.”

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

“It’s another door for me and it's an honor,” said Pujols, who played in the Classic in ‘06. “I feel really proud to be able not just to be able to represent my country as a player when I did it, but now to be able to lead a great group of guys.”