Albert Pujols wants to become MLB manager in future

Albert Pujols wants to become MLB manager in future

It was announced in late February that former St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols will be managing the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Albert Pujols is returning to the World Baseball Classic in 2026, but as the Dominican Republic's manager per multiple reports 🇩🇴 pic.twitter.com/0ow797GEW1

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) February 28, 2025

But the future Hall of Famer has his eyes set on something greater: Potentially becoming an MLB manager.

“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,” he said, according to MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger. “I want to have the opportunity to be a manager here in the big leagues.

“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 is fresh off winning the Dominican Winter League and Caribbean Series title with DR’s Leones del Escogido as the team’s manager, which he took over last spring. It adds to the lengthy list of accomplishments in the 45-year-old’s career, but this time as a manager and not a player.

Pujols, who retired after the 2022 season, played 22 seasons in MLB. He slashed a career .296/.374/.544 as one of the most feared hitters of his generation. He is one of just four hitters ever to hit 700-plus home runs–joining Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth.

The three-time MVP also amassed 3,384 career hits, 2,218 RBIs with nearly as many walks (1,373) as strikeouts (1,404). He was an All-Star in nine of his first 10 seasons with the Cardinals, slashing .331/.426/.624 (1.050 OPS; 172 OPS) while averaging 41 homers and 123 RBIs per season.

Dodgers have accumulated over $1 billion in deferred payments through 2046

It remains to be seen which MLB managerial jobs will open up next winter. You could immediately look to the Cardinals potentially, with Oliver Marmol being on the hot seat (once again) entering 2025. That would be a very cool full-circle moment for Pujols if that gig became available. But there’s still a lot that can happen between now and then.

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