Reports: Angels interview Albert Pujols for managerial job

Albert Pujols interviewed for the Los Angeles Angels' vacant managerial job on Friday, according to multiple media reports. The former slugger's meeting with general manager Perry Minasian reportedly occurred in St. Louis. According to The Athletic, Pujols and Minasian held "preliminary discussions" about a contract, though the sides did not come to an agreement. Should the talks fizzle, ex-Angels outfielder Torii Hunter would be considered for the job, per The Athletic. Pujols' managerial experience consists of leading Leones Del Escogido to the Dominican Winter League title in 2024. The Angels' job came open when the team parted ways with its incumbent manager and its interim manager after the season ended. Ron Washington, in his second season as the club's skipper, went on medical leave in June and subsequently had quadruple bypass heart surgery. Ray Montgomery led the Angels on an interim basis the rest of the campaign, and the team finished 72-90. Washington, who was credited with all of the 2025 season's results, had a 135-189 mark in two years on the job. Pujols' playing career largely consisted of two acts: a Hall of Fame-worthy 11-year stint with the St. Louis Cardinals (2001-11), then a mostly mediocre 10-year run with the Angels (2012-21). He also had a career-ending coda consisting of a brief stay with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2021) and a farewell year with the Cardinals (2022). A three-time Most Valuable Player, 11-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, Pujols was part of World Series championship teams with St. Louis in 2006 and 2011. His 703 home runs rank fourth on the all-time list, and he is second with 2,218 RBIs. –Field Level Media

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