Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols takes batting practice before a baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and the Angels in San Francisco, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Albert Pujols’ career with the Angels ended abruptly in a shocking development on Thursday morning.
The Angels announced they had designated Pujols for assignment, essentially releasing the future Hall of Famer.
Pujols has struggled to a .198 average and a .622 OPS this season. He has hit five homers.
Pujols, 41, is in the final year of a 10-year, $240-million deal, including $30 million in salary this year. The Angels will be responsible for paying for the entire remaining amount of his salary, less the major league minimum, if another team picks him up.
“The Angels Organization proudly signed Albert Pujols in 2011, and are honored that he has worn an Angels jersey for nearly half of his Hall-of-Fame Career,” owner Arte Moreno said in a statement. “Albert’s historical accomplishments, both on and off the field, serve as an inspiration to athletes everywhere, and his actions define what it means to be a true Superstar. Since his Rookie of the Year Season in 2001, Albert and his wife Deidre have generously given their time and resources to countless charities throughout the world. We are thankful to the entire Pujols Family.”
Pujols’ contract includes a 10-year personal services contract that begins after he retires.
Pujols said last week, when he was hitting .224, that he was satisfied with the way he was swinging the bat.
“My swing is always there,” he said. “If you look at the batting average, you can be discouraged if you see .224, .226, but I think I could be hitting .350 if I had better luck. I’m swinging the bat really well since Day 1 of spring training.”
If this is the end of Pujols’ career, he finishes with numbers that will make him a lock for election to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. He hit .298 with 667 homers and 2,112 RBIs. He is fifth on the all-time home run list and second on the RBI list.
Pujols is one of just three players with 3,000 hits and 600 homers, joining Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Alex Rodriguez.
He will certainly be remembered more for his days with the St. Louis Cardinals than with the Angels. He hit .328 with a 1.037 OPS in 11 years in St. Louis, including three MVP awards and two World Series titles. With the Angels, Pujols hit .256 with a .758 OPS.
He hit his 500th and 600th homers with the Angels, and he also collected his 3,000th hit and 2,000th RBI in an Angels uniform.
Although his numbers declined significantly shortly after he joined the Angels, over the past few years they had leveled off and he was able to provide some production.
It was clear that his playing time would be significantly reduced this year because of the presence of Shohei Ohtani at DH and Jared Walsh at first base. Pujols continued to play because Dexter Fowler’s season-ending knee injury pushed Walsh to right field, but in recent days the Angels determined they were better off with Walsh at first and someone else — Juan Lagares or Taylor Ward — in the outfield.
More to come on this story.
Los Angeles Angels infielder Albert Pujols poses for a portrait during Spring Training Photo Day at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates in the dugout after scoring in the eighth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Wednesday, August 14, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels hits an RBI single against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fourth inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Wednesday, August 14, 2019. Pujols’ single, career hit No. 3,167, made him the all-time hits leader among players born outside the United States, passing Adrian Beltre. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Angels’ Albert Pujols and Mike Trout chat on the dugout steps during the Angels’ 5-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols waves his helmet to fans after hitting a single against the Seattle Mariners in the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 4, 2018, in Seattle. The hit was his 3,000th of his career. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Los Angeles Angels walk out to congratulate Albert Pujols (5) after he hit a single against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 4, 2018, in Seattle. The hit is Pujols’ 3,000th of his career. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols singles against the Seattle Mariners in the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 4, 2018, in Seattle. The hit was his 3,000th career hit. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Angels announced they had designated Pujols for assignment, releasing the future Hall of Famer. Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols, left, hugs owner Arte Moreno before a opening day baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., on Friday, April 6, 2012. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Angels announced they had designated Pujols for assignment, releasing the future Hall of Famer. St. Louis Cardinals vs Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium July 21. 2006, (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Angels announced they had designated Pujols for assignment, releasing the future Hall of Famer.Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols waits his turn during batting practice before a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., on Friday, April 6, 2012. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Angels announced they had designated Pujols for assignment, releasing the future Hall of Famer. Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno, left waves to fans with Albert Pujols during a press conference in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Angels announced they had designated Pujols for assignment, releasing the future Hall of Famer. Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols wearing his new jersey smiles during a press conference in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Angels announced they had designated Pujols for assignment, releasing the future Hall of Famer. Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols first official at bat as an Angel he lined out to Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (not pictured) in the first inning of a opening day baseball game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., on Friday, April 6, 2012. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Angels announced they had designated Pujols for assignment, releasing the future Hall of Famer. Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols (5) along with Mike Trout (27) during the National Anthem prior to a Major League Baseball game on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Angels announced they had designated Pujols for assignment, releasing the future Hall of Famer. Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno, left waves to fans with Albert Pujols during a press conference in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Angels announced they had designated Pujols for assignment, releasing the future Hall of Famer. Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout, left, along with Albert Pujols prior to a Major League baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, Calif., on Tuesday, April 5, 2016.(Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Angels announced they had designated Pujols for assignment, releasing the future Hall of Famer. Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols wearing his new jersey signs autographs for fans after a press conference in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Angels announced they had designated Pujols for assignment, releasing the future Hall of Famer. Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels during a MLB baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Boston Red Sox at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Angels announced they had designated Pujols for assignment, releasing the future Hall of Famer. Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols smiles after walking with the bases loaded in the third inning of a spring baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., on Monday, April 2, 2012. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Angels announced they had designated Pujols for assignment, releasing the future Hall of Famer. Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols prior to a Major League baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Angels announced they had designated Pujols for assignment, releasing the future Hall of Famer. Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols wearing his new jersey looks toward the stadium after a press conference in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Angels announced they had designated Pujols for assignment, releasing the future Hall of Famer. Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols would hit a RBI double in the third inning of a Major League baseball game against the Seattle Mariners on Opening Night at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, Calif., on Monday, March 31, 2014.
(Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
