The Los Angeles Angels are looking for a new manager and one of their top contenders could be future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols, who spent 10 years with the organization as a player.
Pujols has been open about his desire to manage in the majors and is scheduled to lead the Dominican Republic team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic – after taking Dominican club Leones del Escogido to the 2025 Caribbean Series title.
“For me, I’ve always been serious about everything that I do in this game,’ Pujols told USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale during spring training. ‘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.’
Pujols is already on the Angels’ payroll with a 10-year, $10 million personal services contract and has received rave reviews from his former managers and even the Angels’ current GM, who predicts great things from the 45-year-old in the dugout.
“He’s ready,’ said Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa, who managed Pujols for 11 years in St. Louis. “And he’s going to be great.’
The Angels parted ways with manager Ron Washington the day after the regular season ended. Midway through his second year in charge, Washington took a medical leave of absence to deal with heart issues. He underwent quadruple bypass surgery in June.
Ray Montgomery, who had served as bench coach, took over managerial duties on an interim basis. The Angels went 36-38 with Washington and 36-52 under Montgomery to finish the season with a 72-90 record, 18 games behind the first-place Seattle Mariners.
“I remember the old-school managers back in the day whether it was Tom Kelly or Sparky Anderson or Tommy Lasorda or Whitey Herzog, there was a presence when they walked into the room,’ Angels GM Perry Minsasian told USA TODAY Sports in March. ‘The volume in the room would go a little lower. The shoulders of the players would go back a little more. And Albert has that presence wherever he goes.’