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Albert Pujols tried the experience of directing during the World Baseball Classic, and it seems that he has caught the fever.
The St. Louis Cardinals legend might have settled down well after hitting 703 home runs in his illustrious career, but he loves the game and continues to be around it.
But he wants to delve deeper into this, and given recent managerial layoffs across Major League Baseball, Pujols said he’s waiting for the right opportunity.
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Manager Albert Pujols of the Dominican Republic team participates in a practice session for the 2026 World Baseball Classic at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, on March 12, 2026. (Gene Wang/Media Capture/Getty Images)
“My name is in the hat,” Pujols told Pak Gazette Digital. “I mean, listen, I’m not going to force it. I think when the opportunity presents itself, I was never the player to force things. I let things come to me and I prepared myself.
“My dad used to tell me, control what you can control. Don’t try to control things that are out of your control. So I’m waiting for an opportunity. If it happens, great, I’ll be ready. If it doesn’t happen, then I’m very excited and happy with the career I have.”
Pujols knows, however, that being an MLB manager is a thankless job.
“When you win, the team wins. When you lose, the coach loses,” he joked.
Albert Pujols looks on after hitting his 700th career home run during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles on September 23, 2022. (Ashley Landis/AP)
But other parts of management, Pujols said, “have changed a lot,” particularly with the front office increasing its voice in daily lineups.
“I played in three periods: ’01 to ’10, ’10 to ’20, and then ’20 to ’22. So, I saw everything. I’ve seen this very strange game, but I think at the end of the day, I think communication, whether it’s with the front office, as a manager, your communication with your general manager is very important, because that will transfer to the players,” he said.
If Pujols’ first managerial job is anything like his time in the World Baseball Classic, he would be very happy.
“Having all that talent that we had, representing our country in the World Baseball Classic, it wasn’t about teaching this guy how to play. These guys were professionals. They knew how to play,” Pujols said. “It was more about their responsibility and little things that I can help them with and, you know, writing that lineup and trying to be there and make decisions and make the best lineup to win games.”
Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals gestures toward the sky after hitting a solo home run during the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, on Oct. 2, 2022. (Scott Kane/Getty Images)
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The Boston Red Sox fired Alex Cora and days later, the Philadelphia Phillies relieved Rob Thomson of his duties. New York Mets fans have been clamoring for Carlos Mendoza to be fired, but he remains in his job.
