Albert Pujols begins managerial career with Leones del Escogido

Santo Domingo.- Former Major League Baseball star Albert Pujols has embarked on a new chapter in his career, starting as the manager of the Leones del Escogido in the Dominican professional baseball league. Speaking at the first day of training at the New York Yankees’ academy in Boca Chica, Pujols stated that his goal is to achieve the same level of success as a manager that he did during his 23-year playing career in the MLB. While uncertain about the length of his managerial career, he hopes to inspire other retired players to take on similar roles.

Pujols, who retired in 2022 with a Hall of Fame-worthy career that includes 703 home runs and 2,219 RBIs, emphasized that his focus is on mentoring the young talent on the team. He aims to guide the players in developing their skills and help the Leones win their first championship since the 2015-16 season. Pujols also acknowledged that taking this opportunity might encourage other players to consider management roles without fearing for their legacies.

The former slugger drew motivation from his experiences playing under iconic MLB managers like Tony La Russa, Mike Scioscia, and Dave Roberts. He highlighted the leadership shown by team veterans Junior Lake and Zoilo Almonte during the first day of training, noting that their presence set a positive tone for the season. Although he doesn’t promise immediate results, Pujols is committed to equipping his team with the right tools to break the Leones’ championship drought and secure their 17th title.