Houston Astros Interview Albert Pujols for Manager Role Amid Fan Backlash and Debate

The Houston Astros have interviewed Albert Pujols as a candidate for their vacant managerial position.

Pujols is a first-ballot Hall of Famer and one of the greatest right-handed hitters in baseball history.

He played 22 seasons in the major leagues, most famously with the St. Louis Cardinals.

He also spent parts of two seasons with the Los Angeles Angels and finished his career with a brief return to St. Louis in 2022.

During his prime, Pujols was a fierce postseason rival of the Astros.

He faced Houston in the 2004, 2005 and 2013 National League playoffs while with the Cardinals.

His career postseason numbers against the Astros include a .333 batting average and three home runs.

That history is one reason the interview has triggered backlash and debate among Astros fans.

Some fans have voiced frustration on social media and sports radio, arguing that hiring a longtime opponent sends the wrong message.

Others question whether Pujols has the experience needed to manage a team with World Series expectations.

Pujols has never coached or managed at any level, professional or collegiate.

He retired as a player after the 2022 season and has since worked as a special assistant to the commissioner of Major League Baseball.

He also served as a guest instructor during spring training for the Cardinals in 2023.

But he has never run a dugout, called a bullpen, or set a lineup in a competitive game.

That lack of experience is a key point of criticism.

The Astros are coming off a 2025 season in which they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

They fired manager Joe Espada after three seasons, following a 78-84 record in 2025.

Espada had replaced Dusty Baker, who led the team to a World Series title in 2022.

The organization is now searching for a manager who can return the team to contention.

General manager Dana Brown has said the team wants a leader who commands respect in the clubhouse.

Pujols’s resume as a player certainly gives him that kind of stature.

He finished his career with 703 home runs, third on the all-time list behind Barry Bonds and Hank Aaron.

He won three National League MVP awards, two Gold Gloves, and two World Series rings.

His 2001 Rookie of the Year season is still considered one of the best debut campaigns ever.

But translating that success into managing is not automatic.

Many Hall of Fame players have struggled as managers, including Ted Williams and Frank Robinson.

Others, like Joe Torre and Ryne Sandberg, had mixed results.

The Astros front office is aware of that risk.

They have also interviewed other candidates, including bench coach Joe Sestak and former major league manager Buck Showalter.

Showalter has nearly 30 years of managerial experience and three Manager of the Year awards.

Sestak has been with the Astros organization since 2020 and knows the current roster well.

Pujols, by contrast, would be a wild card.

Supporters of the interview argue that Pujols brings a unique perspective.

He played against the Astros during their sign-stealing scandal era and has spoken publicly about the integrity of the game.

He could command immediate respect from players who grew up watching him.

And his relationship with the Cardinals organization might help Houston in trade or free-agent negotiations involving St. Louis players.

But critics say the Astros cannot afford an on-the-job training experiment.

The American League West is competitive, with the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics all improving.

Houston’s core of Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker is still strong, but the window may be closing.

The team needs a manager who can handle in-game strategy, bullpen management and media pressure from day one.

Pujols has never faced those responsibilities.

He has not publicly commented on the interview process.