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(A version of this story originally appeared in our Dodger Insider Magazine.)
by Cary Osborne
This could have been a victory lap. A chance to travel from city to city and collect rocking chairs and framed jerseys and oil paintings.
But Albert Pujols, bound for Cooperstown five years after he retires, was determined not to receive when he signed with the Dodgers on May 17 after being released by the Angels four days earlier. His focus was on giving.
Pujols wanted to show, at 41 years old, that he still had a lot to give to a championship-contending baseball club.
And the Dodgers themselves weren’t in the business of simply putting a legend on the field to create buzz, like the organization famously did when it hired Babe Ruth as its first base coach in 1938. They wanted this legend to provide them right-handed production and stability off the bench.
What has happened is Pujols has been a consistent clutch hitter for the Dodgers in a part-time role and a full-time role model for his teammates. With no promises about playing time given to Pujols when he signed with the Dodgers, the 21-year Major League veteran has made an impact like he had never done previously in his decorated career.
“He’s been a game-changer,” says manager Dave Roberts. “And we weren’t really betting on what he did in the past. To play for our club, we expect performance. So that was the bet. To know that and expect him to come in here and impact our club offensively and to see it play out as such is great.”
Now He’s Tío Albert
The look on Blake Treinen’s face was one of surprise. Two thick arms came from behind and then wrapped around his chest.
Treinen had just retired all three Giants he faced in the eighth inning on May 27, keeping the Dodgers ahead 4–3, and afterward the relief pitcher walked through the Dodger dugout slapping fives.
Pujols showed his appreciation a different way — with a bear hug.
It was just 10 days into his employment with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but Pujols was just doing something nearly as familiar to him as rounding third base after clubbing a home run.
In plain view on a baseball field in the past, Pujols had hugged a president (Barack Obama), Hall of Famers, teammates and even opponents.
He quickly got comfortable with his new teammates and started delivering hugs after every Dodger home run. Now the two acts are synonymous.
“That’s something we started, (Max) Muncy and I, giving a big hug after a home run,” Pujols says. “It comes naturally. After you get a home run or get a big base hit or whatever it is, or Walker (Buehler) throws a great game, it’s whatever comes naturally to you.”
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Pujols says he felt like he was welcomed into the Dodger family with open arms from day one. And the Dodger players have verified that by giving him the nickname “Tío Albert.”
“Albert probably cheers for his teammates more than anybody, and it seems like he’s so happy, like genuinely happy, for everyone,” says Chris Taylor. “He’s more happy for you than you are for yourself, and so knowing that and coming in and seeing him waiting for you to give you a big bear hug is a pretty cool feeling.”
Roberts has described Pujols’ value by including his actions before, during and after a game. That includes sharing the wisdom he has gathered from a lengthy career that includes two World Series titles with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006 and 2011. It also included Pujols being a beacon of positivity to his teammates.
Max Scherzer said when he arrived with the Dodgers after being traded from Washington on July 30, one of the first greetings he received was a hug from Pujols. After Trea Turner popped out in his first at-bat as a Dodger on Aug. 6, he walked through the dugout on his way to put his bat in the rack. Pujols, alone on the bench while the rest of the team was along the railing, made sure to pat Turner on the thigh as a show of encouragement.
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Pujols recognizes that he has a reputation for having an intense focus and understands how that can be intimidating. Yet he also recognizes the worth of his words and actions, especially to his youngest teammates.
“They see that part of me (but) they can approach me, whether I’m playing in a game or not, and (can) come and talk baseball or life or whatever it is, (or) parenting,” Pujols says. “I believe this is why God has put me here, and I’m enjoying every moment and being with this young talent.”
Yet the Dodgers had a hope beyond what Pujols could provide as presence in the clubhouse or dugout. They were banking on Pujols still being a presence in the batter’s box in a way he had never been in his career.
Their hope has proven right.
Always La Máquina
Before he was Tío Albert, he was “La Máquina,” — translated “The Machine.”
One of the most productive hitters in baseball history, Pujols and Hank Aaron are the only players in Major League history with at least 675 home runs, 3,000 hits, 2,000 RBI and 1,300 extra-base hits.
But the three-time MVP and 10-time All-Star was hitting .198 with a .622 OPS in 92 plate appearances when the Angels released him. The Dodgers presented a new, different opportunity to Pujols, one that came with the chance for him to reach the postseason for the first time since 2014 with the Angels.
“Doc and (Dodgers President of Baseball Operations) Andrew (Friedman) were really straight forward with me: ‘This is the role we have for you. Are you all for it?’ Obviously, I agreed on it,” Pujols says. “I was ready to go no matter what. I was excited for another opportunity (with) a great organization.”
Before signing with the Dodgers, Pujols had 41 pinch-hit plate appearances in his career. As a Dodger, he matched that number in one season. In those 41 appearances as a Dodger, Pujols was 14-for-37 (.378) with two home runs, 10 RBI and three walks. The nine hits raised the Dodgers’ win expectancy by an average of 7.7%.
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His .378 average as a pinch-hitter ranked first in the National League among players with at least 25 pinch-hitting plate appearances.
He ranked third in batting average (.303) and second in slugging percentage (.606) on the Dodgers against left-handed pitching.
As a starter, Pujols hit .227/.264/.455 in 37 games but hit nine home runs and drove in 26 RBI. It would equate to a 39-home run/114-RBI season.
Pujols ranked second on the team in batting average with runners in scoring position (.346) behind Trea Turner’s .364. Pujols’ .296 batting average and .531 slugging percentage this year against fastballs are his highest marks since 2016.
“From the moment he got here, the guy has been non-stop energy, the guy’s been non-stop smiles. He loves being out there every single day. He loves working. He loves the game of baseball,” Muncy says. “That’s starting to rub off on a lot of people. He’s been huge for us. I don’t know if there are enough words to describe how much of an impact he’s had on us. And on top of that, you look at what he’s been able to do at the plate. He can still hit. He’s got so much juice left in the bat. He goes out there and puts together a professional at-bat every single time. It’s been a lot of fun to watch.”
Pujols admits it’s been a lot of fun for him, too.
“Coming in here and having the opportunity to wear this uniform, I’m wearing it really proud every day,” Pujols says. “I try to do whatever it takes every day to help this ballclub win — whenever I’m in the field, in the lineup or in the dugout, helping the guys, just talking baseball, I’m having a great time enjoying every little moment and just (going) out there every time I can to help this ballclub win. That’s my goal. I don’t really think ahead and just focus on the moment. And I’m enjoying this moment right now.”
The gift of giving: Albert Pujols made a different kind of impact in 2021 was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.