‘I don’t miss a freakin’ thing’: Albert Pujols enjoying retirement after 22-year MLB career

not even during his torrid streak, the playoffs, or a single moment in the off-season, did he have second thoughts. the 700-home run club. 

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“I think everybody in baseball was pulling for him,” says Angels three-time MVP Mike Trout. “What he did was pretty special. You might never see it again.’’ 

probably going to see [Shohei] Ohtani get $500 million. He’s going to blow everyone out with that deal.’’ 

Pujols, whose job title is Angels special assistant, says he’ll be in camp until Sunday, travel to the Angels’ Dominican Republic complex, and really do anything the Angels need. 

He’s just not going to manage. Or coach. Or work in the front office. Or be on a schedule. 

“I played so freakin’ long,’’ Pujols says, “right now I just want to enjoy my retirement. I’m going to wait the next one, or two, or three years before I decide to do anything. I don’t have a schedule I need to follow. I’m on my own schedule. 

“I worked so hard in this game to have a successful career, and now I’m going to get to do things in life I never had a chance to do.’’ 

NBA All-Star MVP Jayson Tatum was one of his biggest fans.  

“I had no idea he was from St. Louis,’’ Pujols said, “so that was really cool. Man, 55 points, that’s crazy.’’ 

Will Albert Pujols help coach the Dominican team in the WBC?

Pujols will also be traveling to spend time with his former teammate and best friend, Yadier Molina, who’s managing the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Molina asked him if he would be his bench coach. 

“I’m like, ‘No, dude,’’’ Pujols says. “‘I’m retired.’ Yadi is unreal. Our playoffs are over, and he’s managing winter ball in Venezuela three days later. Like, ‘Dude, are you bored out of your mind. Didn’t you have enough baseball?’ Relax. Enjoy your life. Do something.’’’ 

Pujols shakes his head, and keeps laughing. 

Let everyone else have the daily grind, he’s got places to go, people to meet, sights to see. 

The summer of Albert Pujols

Pujols is scheduled to play in the Corales Puntacana PGA Pro-Am in the Dominican Republic in March, PGA tournaments in Dallas and Lake Tahoe later this summer, and a Peyton Manning celebrity golf tournament, too. 

He always wanted to see the Masters, so, yes, he plans to be in Augusta, Georgia, in April. 

He also went to Paris and London in December, but will expand his European vacation this summer, visiting France and Monaco in June. 

And there are several Formula 1 events, including one in Monaco, he wants to check out, too. 

Albert Pujols’ life after baseball

“There are guys that don’t prepare for life after baseball,’’ Pujols says. “All they know is baseball. They struggle. And they struggle bad. 

“I’ve got other things I want to do in life.’’ 

But in time, give him a few years, you may want to circle back with Pujols. 

He just might be ready to join a team near you. 

“Who knows,’’ Pujols says, “obviously I think I have enough to offer. If the opportunity is right, whether its managing or something else, you never know. 

“I’m going to leave every door open, and if the opportunity comes, and it’s the right place, maybe I’ll do it. 

“I love this game, but when you do something for so long, you need to take time, and if you don’t take time, you’re going to regret it.’’ 

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