TEMPE, Ariz. – After recently concluding a 22-year Hall of Fame career that saw him become the fourth player in American and National League history to hit 700 career home runs, Albert Pujols has reinstated to the Angels organization as a special club assistant.
The Dominican arrived at Angels camp Tuesday and met with the media Wednesday to discuss his role with the team. He claimed it was always his intention to honor the 10-year personal services contract he signed as part of his original 10-year, $254 million contract with the Angels, even after the team released him during the 2021 season.
“It was just part of the business. So are the things. There’s nothing stopping me from doing anything,” Pujols said. “I am very happy to be here again. (About) what happened two years ago, I don’t hold grudges. It’s part of the business.”
Pujols, who played for the Angels from 2012-21, says he plans to serve as a special instructor in spring training this week and will also go to the Dominican Republic during the season to help with the club’s prospects there. He says he’s willing to do what general manager Perry Minasian wants and is excited to help the organization, though he envisions himself more as a mentor to the players than an executive in front office.
“Whatever Perry and the organization need, I’m here to help,” Pujols said. “I’m just trying to help him, but my job is not to be in management. It’s more about working with the young guys in any way that I can.”
Pujols, 43, said he never wavered in his decision to retire after 22 seasons with the Cardinals, Dodgers and Angels. Last season he hit 700 home runs with St. Louis, retiring with 703 career home runs. The Dominican also noted that the Cardinals did not speak with him about a role with the organization after his retirement, as they were aware that he planned to fulfill his contract with the Angels.
Pujols also said he’s enjoying retirement — he attended the Super Bowl and participated in the NBA Celebrity Game this month – and that he’s not ready to work as a full-time coach. He didn’t rule out becoming an instructor in the future but said he himself is now focused on his special assistant role, which gives him more flexibility after a long career that began as a minor leaguer in 2000.
“I was blessed to play for 23 years as a professional, and if I had to do it again I would, but I’m very happy with my life right now,” Pujols said. “My work is the same as that of many veterans who helped me at the beginning. It’s my duty to help these guys get better and become the superstars they want to be.”