Albert Pujols won't try to be 'Superman' for Angels

[Sportsguy9695]

Albert Pujols, coming off the worst season of his 13-year major league career, is feeling better and will not try to be "Superman" for the Los Angeles Angels this season.

"I want to stay healthy and play every day," Pujols told reporters Sunday. "The numbers are going to be there at the end because I know how to hit."

Pujols had a .258 batting average with 17 home runs and 64 RBIs last season -- all career lows for the three-time National League MVP. He appeared in only 99 games, also a career low, as he dealt with a partially torn plantar fascia in his left foot.

He said he enters the year with the mindset that he doesn't have to play at first base every day and with a willingness to be the designated hitter -- or sit out -- whenever manager Mike Scioscia wants to rest him.

"I know I'll be ready for Opening Day," Pujols said. "I've been doing it for 14 years. I know not to try to do too much."

Pujols, who will bat third, between Mike Trout and Josh Hamilton, is not focusing on his numbers and hasn't projected how many games he would play at first base.

"I think if there's a day I need to DH, I'll DH," Pujols said. "If I need a day off, I'll take a day off. I wish I'd have done that more earlier in my career, because the last couple of years I'm trying to be Superman and trying to play 162 games. It's cost me the last couple of years.

Source: ESPN

 

[HammerDown]

"The numbers are going to be there at the end because I know how to hit."

The only numbers Pujols cares about are that the correct amount of zeroes are on his weekly paycheck.

It's cost me the last couple of years.

Wrong. It's cost his team.

 

[mrwallace2ku]

You'll see this guy come back to his #'s soon. Switching leagues/pitchers and moving your family around the country takes it toll on a player. Even a great one.

AP will be just fine this year.

 

[HammerDown]

You'll see this guy come back to his #'s soon. Switching leagues/pitchers and moving your family around the country takes it toll on a player. Even a great one.

AP will be just fine this year.

If his trainer can get his dosages dialed in, he can hit .275 again. I just want him to hang on long enough to get every cent of Arte Moreno's money he has coming. And Hamilton too.

 

[mrwallace2ku]

lolz...

 

[HammerDown]

Pujols will threaten the Mendoza Line this year if his trainer can't get the dosages worked out.

 

[redseat]

However, with that contract he should be though

 

[Bmurph]

If his trainer can get his dosages dialed in, he can hit .275 again. I just want him to hang on long enough to get every cent of Arte Moreno's money he has coming. And Hamilton too.

Pujols contract based on age and years and how much longer he can actually be productive will definitely put his contract in the conversation of the worst ever

 

[HammerDown]

Pujols contract based on age and years and how much longer he can actually be productive will definitely put his contract in the conversation of the worst ever

...and in my opinion is just more evidence that he's using and everyone (read: Arte Moreno and everyone upstairs for the Angels) knows.

 

[Bmurph]

...and in my opinion is just more evidence that he's using and everyone (read: Arte Moreno and everyone upstairs for the Angels) knows.

Which probably just proves that the league only targets the players they really want to catch or suspend

 

[HammerDown]

 

[HammerDown]

€ crickets

 

[ANGELAKERAMS]

Yes Hammer

This board is DEAD.

Angels with 2nd best record in MLB, Trout just became youngest to win All-Star MVP and we got nothing here.

It's sad.

 

[GenJac]

Pujols was a .300 or better hitter in St Louis. With $20 million + per year in Anaheim he is a dead dog!

 

[GenJac]

Uh oh. Looks like a certain someone is continuing to break down rapidly.