Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara, better known as Albert Pujols, is a Dominican American professional baseball first baseman for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Major League Baseball. He previously played for the St. Louis Cardinals, where he received three National LeagueMVP awardsand was a nine-time MLB All-Star. He was also an All-Star with the Angels in 2015...
NationalityDominican
ProfessionBaseball Player
Date of Birth16 January 1980
CitySanto Domingo, Dominican Republic
CountryDominica
I know they're going through a tough time. It's terrible to see a great player like that going down, but that's going to happen in your career.
I know the talent that he's got, and it's about time for him to start swinging the bat, because he has some opportunity. I think he has done a great job for us the last couple years we've had him. When we've put him out there to play defense, pinch-run or pinch-hit, anything, he's always done a great job for us.
I'm just taking advantage of what they're giving me. I don't try to do too much. I just try to get on base. Scott and Jimmy (Edmonds) are swinging the bat pretty well right now. I try to get on base so I can score as much as I can.
I'm pretty sure he's going to shoot for No. 1, ... Knowing him, it's going to be real tough for him to walk out of this game. He's a future Hall of Famer.
Can we pull a miracle? What do you think? Of course we can.
I probably shouldn't bring it down to that level like I did last week, but I showed today that that's not the way I play the game. At the same time, I need to respect my teammates. Because I don't want any of my guys to get hurt from me doing something stupid like that.
Hopefully everybody starts swinging the bats better. Our bats are not where we want them right now. Half of the team is not hitting that good, but we're finding ways to win some games -- and that's the most important thing.
I figure if he's going to use me, he's going to use me when he needs me. And that's what he did. In a key situation, for a game-winning RBI or to tie the game, or something like that. that's it. I just wanted to make sure I was ready.
If I hurt myself, it's part of the game. I get paid to play. I don't get paid to sit out.
It might be surprising to you guys, ... but it doesn't surprise us at all. Our pitching has been outstanding. Our bullpen does its job. Our position players are doing what they need to do. When that happens, you can't be shocked.
It's not like you're going to be gone for two months.
St. Louis still is going to be a special place for me, whether I'm playing 3,000 miles away or 5,000 miles away.
It's just an honor to get this award. I want thank all the players. It shows a lot of respect that the players have for me. There were so many players that had a great year.
It's a long season; just another home run; just another win.