Albert Pujols hits a solo home run against the Rangers on June 11.
(Associated Press)
The mere mention of Albert Pujols, the slugger who was discarded by the Angels in early May before rejuvenating his Hall-of-Fame career with the Dodgers, brings a huge grin to the face of Dodgers third-base coach Dino Ebel.
“He’s having a blast,” said Ebel, who spent seven seasons (2012-2018) with Pujols as an Angels coach before going to the Dodgers. “He’s got a new lease on life.”
The end of an illustrious 21-year career appeared to be near when Pujols, batting .198 with a .622 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, five homers and 12 RBIs in 24 games in the final year of a 10-year, $240-million deal, was designated for assignment by the Angels on May 6.
As impressive as his resumé is, —there didn’t appear to be much demand for a slow-footed 41-year-old with diminished power and limited range at first base, the only position he plays.
But the Dodgers, in need of reinforcements for their injury plagued lineup and a right-handed bat to combat the left-handed starters who have often befuddled them, threw Pujols a lifeline, signing him on May 17.
Pujols has rewarded his new employer by hitting .263 (20 for 76) with an .826 OPS, six homers and 16 RBIs in 26 games, including a three-run homer off Arizona left-hander Alex Young in Sunday’s 9-8 win over the Diamondbacks. His .526 slugging percentage is higher than any he posted in nine-plus seasons in Anaheim.
“I thank God for opening this door and for the Dodgers for giving give me another opportunity and for believing in me,” Pujols said before Monday night’s game against the San Diego Padres in Petco Park.
“That’s something that is really critical for me, having somebody that trusts me and knows I can still play this game. When you have that from your manager, your front office, your coaches, it’s pretty awesome.”
Albert Pujols celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run.
(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
The Dodgers were 22-18 when they signed Pujols. They entered Monday night with a 22-9 record with Pujols. Though Pujols has been more of a platoon player and pinch-hitter, he has hit .381 (16 for 42) against left-handers.
His five homers against left-handers were the fifth-most in the major leagues against lefties since May 17, behind Kansas City’s Salvador Perez (seven) and Oakland’s Matt Olson, Cleveland’s Cesar Hernandez and Detroit’s Jonathan Schoop (six each).
Pujols also may lead the major leagues in hugs, high-fives, ear-to-ear grins, pats on the back, taps of the helmet—which the Dodgers do to salute each other after big hits—since he arrived in Los Angeles, a stark contrast to the scowl he often played with in St. Louis and Anaheim.
“This is the most fun I’ve had in a while,” Pujols said. “I think it’s just the chemistry, the opportunity, being around veteran guys who have the same mindset that I have about winning, and I think it’s just a great mix of guys.
“It reminded me of my times back in St. Louis. As soon as I walked into the clubhouse, from day one, I could sense the vibe, the energy. … The way the guys welcomed me allowed me to relax and enjoy it. I feel like I belong here. I feel like I’ve been here since opening day.”
Pujols insisted he enjoyed his time with the Angels this year—“any time I wear a uniform, man, I enjoy it and have fun,” he said—despite the sour way his tenure in Anaheim ended.
The Angels were 13-13 with Pujols and have gone 23-23 without him, but Pujols’ departure ensured that two-way star Shohei Ohtani, who is tied for the major league lead with 23 homers, would remain the primary designated hitter and hot-hitting and slick-fielding Jared Walsh (.290, .931 OPS, 18 homers, 51 RBIs) would remain the primary first baseman.
“I know in my time there, we were not playing as well,” Pujols said. “I know the fans and the organization were disappointed because we weren’t in first place or playing better.”
It has been a totally different story some 35 miles up the 5 Freeway, where Pujols has regained his power stroke in the batter’s box and seems as giddy as a 23-year-old rookie on the field, in the dugout and in the clubhouse.
“I just think his mind is clear,” Ebel said. “He was let go with Anaheim, obviously. But coming here, with a chance to win every night with veteran players … he came into the locker room, the culture is great.
“So I think the players embraced him, he embraced the players and he’s having fun. He comes to the park every day early. He’s got a smile on his face.”