Albert Pujols is being linked to prominent MLB manager opening

Albert Pujols might end up managing the same team that he famously torched in the 2005 NLCS.

The retired former MLB slugger Pujols is a candidate for the Houston Astros manager job, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported on Monday. Morosi notes that ex-Astros catcher Brad Ausmus (who is currently a bench coach for the New York Yankees) is also a candidate for the job.

Houston is looking for a new manager after firing Joe Espada last month. They also recently hired Randy Flores to serve as their new GM, and Flores notably used to be teammates with Pujols on the St. Louis Cardinals.

Now 46 years old, the three-time MVP Pujols is looking to break into MLB managing after retiring as a player in 2022. Pujols recently interviewed for jobs with the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Angels (his former team) but reportedly made a major demand during those negotiations.

Back in that 2005 NLCS series between the Cardinals and the Astros (who were still in the NL at that time), Pujols famously hit a go-ahead ninth-inning home run off Houston closer Brad Lidge to give St. Louis a dramatic Game 5 victory. The Astros still went on to win that series in six games though but lost in the World Series to the Chicago White Sox.

Now some 22 years later, Pujols could end up managing those very same Astros. Pujols also actually gave a notable boost to Houston during their recent World Series victory in 2022.