Albert Pujols Might Be Leading Baseball’s Next Generation of Managers

Highlights

Albert Pujols interviewed with the Los Angeles Angels for their managerial opening, per The Athletic and USA TODAY Sports.

Pujols could become the first 700-home-run hitter ever to manage in the majors.

Other possible future managers include Yadier Molina, Chase Utley, and Miguel Cabrera.

Albert Pujols has done just about everything a hitter can do in baseball. He’s a three-time MVP, an 11-time All-Star, and one of only four players in history to top 700 home runs. Now, after interviewing with the Los Angeles Angels for their managerial vacancy, he’s trying to add one more line to the résumé.

According to The Athletic, Pujols met Thursday with Angels general manager Perry Minasian in St. Louis. USA TODAY Sportsfirst reported that the meeting went well but that no formal offer was made.

The Angels declined to pick up manager Ron Washington’s 2026 option, creating an opening that could bring Pujols to the field where he finished his playing career.

Pujols, 45, has been grooming himself for this.

Since retiring after the 2022 season, he’s worked as a special assistant to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, served as an MLB Network analyst, and managed Leones del Escogido to the Caribbean Series championship this past winter. He’s also slated to manage the Dominican Republic in next spring’s World Baseball Classic, unless, of course, he’s managing the Angels instead.

A Star Among Managers

If Pujols lands the job, he’d be a unicorn. No one with 700 home runs has ever managed in the major leagues. In fact, few Hall of Famers have made that leap at all.

Ted Williams managed the Washington Senators and Texas Rangers but never finished a season above .500. Frank Robinson, the first Black manager in MLB history, had a longer tenure but similar results. Joe Torre is the exception,a former MVP who became a dynasty builder in New York.

The New Model of Leadership

The timing fits a broader trend.

Baseball’s next generation of managers is already skewing younger, analytical, and often more relatable to modern clubhouses. But teams have also started looking back toward players who commanded respect in uniform.

David Ross, a backup catcher during his career, brought a World Series to the Cubs. Mark DeRosa managed Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Craig Counsell parlayed a steady playing career into one of the most respected managerial runs in the game.

The skill set, communication, adaptability, and trust translate better than raw star power, but players like Pujols may be able to bring both.

It’s easy to imagine others following his path.

Yadier Molina has already managed in Puerto Rico and drawn interest from the Cardinals. Chase Utley, now working for MLB Europe, has the same meticulous mindset that once made him the heartbeat of Philadelphia. Miguel Cabrera is apprenticing in Detroit’s front office, where his leadership is still felt in the clubhouse.

There are several managerial openings across MLB at the moment.

Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols are honored in their final series at Dodger StadiumGary A&period; Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Next Era of Dugout Stars

The appeal of a manager like Pujols extends beyond nostalgia.

He represents a bridge between eras. He’s respected by veterans, revered by younger Latin American players, and fluent in the modern demands of the sport. In an age of data-driven front offices, his credibility could buy time for a team trying to balance analytics with instinct.

Whether the Angels hand him the job or not, Pujols’ interview signals something bigger: the return of baseball’s biggest names to its most demanding seat. And if Albert Perfect Pujols ever writes out a lineup card in Anaheim, the game might just feel a little larger again.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Oct 11, 2025, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Albert Pujols Might Be Leading Baseball’s Next Generation of Managers

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