Could Astros hire Albert Pujols? Houston interviewing future Hall of Famer
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Could Astros hire Albert Pujols? Houston interviewing future Hall of Famer
Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
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3 min read
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Future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols will interview for theHouston Astros' managerial vacancy this week, a person with direct knowledge told USA TODAY Sports.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Astros have not publicly identified their managerial candidates, which also includeNew York Yankeesbench coach Brad Ausmus.
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Pujols, who interviewed last year for theLos Angeles AngelsandSan Diego Padresmanagerial vacancies, has expressed his strong desire to manage since his retirement after the 2022 season. He managed the Dominican Republic to third place in the 2026 World Baseball Classic and led Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League to the 2025 Caribbean Series championship.
"For me, I've always been serious about everything that I do in this game,"Pujols told USA TODAY Sportsin 2025, "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.''
2025: Los Angeles Dodgers.
Defeated Toronto Blue Jays 4-3
MVP: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
(John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images)
2024: Los Angeles Dodgers
Defeated New York Yankees 4-1
MVP: Freddie Freeman
(Robert Deutsch, Imagn Images)
2023: Texas Rangers
Defeated Arizona Diamondbacks 4-1
MVP: Corey Seager
(Matt Kartozian, USA TODAY Sports)
2022: Houston Astros
Defeated Philadelphia Phillies 4-2
MVP: Jeremy Pena
(Thomas Shea, USA TODAY Sports)
2021: Atlanta Braves.
Defeated Houston Astros 4-2.
MVP: Jorge Soler
(Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports)
2020: Los Angeles Dodgers
Defeated Tampa Bay Rays 4-2.
MVP: Corey Seager
(Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports)
2019: Washington Nationals
Defeated Houston Astros 4-3
MVP: Stephen Strasburg.
(Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports)
2018: Boston Red Sox
Defeated Los Angeles Dodgers 4-1
MVP: Steve Pearce.
(Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports)
2017: Houston Astros.
Defeated Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3.
MVP: George Springer.
(Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports)
2016: Chicago Cubs
Defeated Cleveland Indians 4-3.
MVP: Ben Zobrist.
(Tommy Gilligan, USA TODAY Sports)
2015: Kansas City Royals.
Defeated New York Mets 4-1
MVP: Salvador Perez.
(Jeff Curry, USA TODAY Sports)
2014: San Francisco Giants.
Defeated Kansas City Royals 4-3.
MVP: Madison Bumgarner.
(Peter Aiken, USA TODAY Sports)
2013: Boston Red Sox
Defeated St. Louis Cardinals 4-2
MVP: David Ortiz
(Bob DeChiara, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
2012: San Francisco Giants.
Defeated Detroit Tigers 4-0.
MVP: Pablo Sandoval.
(Tim Fuller, USA TODAY Sports)
2011: St. Louis Cardinals
Defeated Texas Rangers 4-3.
MVP: David Freese.
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
2010: San Francisco Giants.
Defeated Texas Rangers 4-1.
MVP: Edgar Renteria.
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
2009: New York Yankees.
Defeated Philadelphia Phillies 4-2.
MVP: Hideki Matsui.
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
2008: Philadelphia Phillies.
Defeated Tampa Bay Rays 4-1.
MVP: Cole Hamels.
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
2007: Boston Red Sox.
Defeated Colorado Rockies 4-0.
MVP: Mike Lowell.
(Jack Gruber, USA TODAY Sports)
2006: St. Louis Cardinals.
Defeated Detroit Tigers 4-1
MVP: David Eckstein.
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
2005: Chicago White Sox.
Defeated Houston Astros 4-0.
MVP: Jermaine Dye.
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
2004: Boston Red Sox.
Defeated St. Louis Cardinals 4-0.
MVP: Manny Ramirez.
(Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports)
2003: Florida Marlins.
Defeated New York Yankees 4-2.
MVP: Josh Beckett.
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
2002: Anaheim Angels
Defeated San Francisco Giants 4-3
MVP: Troy Glaus.
(Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports)
2001: Arizona Diamondbacks
Defeated New York Yankees 4-3
MVPs: Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling
(JACK GRUBER, XXX USAT)
2000: New York Yankees
Defeated New York Mets 4-1.
MVP: Derek Jeter.
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
1999: New York Yankees
Defeated Atlanta Braves 4-0.
MVP: Mariano Rivera.
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
1998: New York Yankees.
Defeated San Diego Padres 4-0.
MVP: Scott Brosius.
(Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports)
1997: Florida Marlins
Defeated Cleveland 4-3.
MVP: Livan Hernandez
(Reuters)
1996: New York Yankees
Defeated Atlanta Braves 4-2.
MVP: John Wetteland.
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
1/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2025: Los Angeles Dodgers.
Defeated Toronto Blue Jays 4-3
MVP: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
(John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images)
1/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2025: Los Angeles Dodgers.
Defeated Toronto Blue Jays 4-3
MVP: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
(John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images)
2/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2024: Los Angeles Dodgers
Defeated New York Yankees 4-1
MVP: Freddie Freeman
(Robert Deutsch, Imagn Images)
3/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2023: Texas Rangers
Defeated Arizona Diamondbacks 4-1
MVP: Corey Seager
(Matt Kartozian, USA TODAY Sports)
4/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2022: Houston Astros
Defeated Philadelphia Phillies 4-2
MVP: Jeremy Pena
(Thomas Shea, USA TODAY Sports)
5/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2021: Atlanta Braves.
Defeated Houston Astros 4-2.
MVP: Jorge Soler
(Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports)
6/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2020: Los Angeles Dodgers
Defeated Tampa Bay Rays 4-2.
MVP: Corey Seager
(Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports)
7/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2019: Washington Nationals
Defeated Houston Astros 4-3
MVP: Stephen Strasburg.
(Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports)
8/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2018: Boston Red Sox
Defeated Los Angeles Dodgers 4-1
MVP: Steve Pearce.
(Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports)
9/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2017: Houston Astros.
Defeated Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3.
MVP: George Springer.
(Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports)
10/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2016: Chicago Cubs
Defeated Cleveland Indians 4-3.
MVP: Ben Zobrist.
(Tommy Gilligan, USA TODAY Sports)
11/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2015: Kansas City Royals.
Defeated New York Mets 4-1
MVP: Salvador Perez.
(Jeff Curry, USA TODAY Sports)
12/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2014: San Francisco Giants.
Defeated Kansas City Royals 4-3.
MVP: Madison Bumgarner.
(Peter Aiken, USA TODAY Sports)
13/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2013: Boston Red Sox
Defeated St. Louis Cardinals 4-2
MVP: David Ortiz
(Bob DeChiara, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
14/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2012: San Francisco Giants.
Defeated Detroit Tigers 4-0.
MVP: Pablo Sandoval.
(Tim Fuller, USA TODAY Sports)
15/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2011: St. Louis Cardinals
Defeated Texas Rangers 4-3.
MVP: David Freese.
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
16/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2010: San Francisco Giants.
Defeated Texas Rangers 4-1.
MVP: Edgar Renteria.
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
17/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2009: New York Yankees.
Defeated Philadelphia Phillies 4-2.
MVP: Hideki Matsui.
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
18/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2008: Philadelphia Phillies.
Defeated Tampa Bay Rays 4-1.
MVP: Cole Hamels.
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
19/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2007: Boston Red Sox.
Defeated Colorado Rockies 4-0.
MVP: Mike Lowell.
(Jack Gruber, USA TODAY Sports)
20/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2006: St. Louis Cardinals.
Defeated Detroit Tigers 4-1
MVP: David Eckstein.
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
21/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2005: Chicago White Sox.
Defeated Houston Astros 4-0.
MVP: Jermaine Dye.
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
22/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2004: Boston Red Sox.
Defeated St. Louis Cardinals 4-0.
MVP: Manny Ramirez.
(Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports)
23/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2003: Florida Marlins.
Defeated New York Yankees 4-2.
MVP: Josh Beckett.
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
24/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2002: Anaheim Angels
Defeated San Francisco Giants 4-3
MVP: Troy Glaus.
(Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports)
25/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2001: Arizona Diamondbacks
Defeated New York Yankees 4-3
MVPs: Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling
(JACK GRUBER, XXX USAT)
26/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
2000: New York Yankees
Defeated New York Mets 4-1.
MVP: Derek Jeter.
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
27/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
1999: New York Yankees
Defeated Atlanta Braves 4-0.
MVP: Mariano Rivera.
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
28/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
1998: New York Yankees.
Defeated San Diego Padres 4-0.
MVP: Scott Brosius.
(Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports)
29/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
1997: Florida Marlins
Defeated Cleveland 4-3.
MVP: Livan Hernandez
(Reuters)
30/30
World Series champions through the years: See MLB's winners since 1996
1996: New York Yankees
Defeated Atlanta Braves 4-2.
MVP: John Wetteland.
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
If Pujols lands the job, it would reunite him with new Astros general manager Randy Flores, his former St. Louis Cardinals teammate, when they won the 2006 World Series together. Pujols, who becomes eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2028, would be the first 700-homer hitter to manage in the major leagues.
Flores would not confirm or deny that Pujols will be interviewed, but said Monday during his introductory press conference that he hopes to have an immediate resolution to fill their managerial opening.
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"I think there are rules on tampering that don't permit me to talk directly about employees from other organizations," Flores said Monday. "I will say that I will lean on network, experience and expertise to help this club move forward."
Pujols technically is still employed by the Angels. He is four years into a 10-year, $10 million personal services contract that was part of his 10-year, $240 million contract as a player.
"He's ready," Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa, who managed Pujols 11 years in St. Louis, said last year. "And he's going to be great. You talk about integrity. You talk about his IQ. You talk about his discipline. I call him APP, Albert Perfect Pujols. When a guy has that much to offer, and has so much love for the game, the game benefits when he wants to stay active and share."
Albert Pujols managed the Dominican Republic in the 2026 WBC.
The Astros and Angels are the only two teams that have a current managerial vacancy with the Seattle Mariners hiring Jason Kanzler on Monday, despite having no managerial experience at any level.
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"I'd love the opportunity to give back to the game of baseball," Pujols said. "I know I don't have the experience as a manager, but 23 years in this game, you go through a lot. I'm talking about experience from baseball, being on the field and in the locker room. It's not going from a university to try to be a manager and not having any baseball experience. Old-school mentality can help young mentality.
"I've learned from some of the best managers in the game. I believe with my experience, and the way I can communicate with players, I can have success."
Before moving to the American League West in 2013, the Astros were NL Central rivals with Pujols' Cardinals. The teams met in the NL Championship Series in 2004 and 2005, with Pujols winning MVP in 2004 after batting .500 (14-for-28) with 4 HR and 9 RBIs in the seven-game series. The Cardinals lost in six games in 2005, but Pujols hit a legendary winning home run in the ninth inning of Game 5, which delayed Houston's first World Series trip.
Pujols' 1,265 career at-bats against the Astros are his most against any team in the regular season.
