How baseball star Albert Pujols makes and spends his millions: the GOAT retired in 2022, but stays active as an on-air commentator, works with Skechers – and may aspire to manage clubs
The renowned player, who many have tipped to enter the Hall of Fame, has not only maintained his presence on the field through various gigs, but is also still raking in the money through endorsements and fulfilling of contractual obligations.
Read on to find out exactly how Pujols makes and spends his cash …
Albert Pujols’ record-breaking career
With a career spanning an impressive 22 years, the 44-year-old Dominican-American earned the nickname “The Machine”, or “La Máquina” in Spanish, for his ability to break record after record. He has won three MVP awards and taken two World Series Championships with the St Louis Cardinals. He also made global headlines after he became the fourth player ever to join the 700 home run club alongside Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds. It is widely believed he will enter the Hall of Fame in 2028, which is when he becomes eligible.
How did Albert Pujols make his millions?
Pujols has an estimated net worth of US$170 million, per Celebrity Net Worth, with the major league baseball (MLB) player making most of his earnings through team contracts. Pujols, who retired in 2022, had a base salary of US$2.5 million with the St Louis Cardinals for the last year of his career, according to Bleacher Report. Back in 2012, he earned a record US$224.36 million in a multi-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, per the same publication.
His smart financial planning
Of course, that doesn’t mean he has never indulged. Pujols sold his Californian mansion for US$8.8 million earlier this year, per SF Gate. The luxury home, located in Irvine, is over 9,200 sq ft with eight bathrooms and five en suite bedrooms.
Is Albert Pujols an aspiring manager?
He may have millions in his bank account, but – at 44 years old – Pujols doesn’t appear to intend to sit back and do nothing. Per the LA Times, in March, Pujols attended a training camp with the Los Angeles Angels as a guest instructor. Although the training session was part of his US$10 million personal services contract with the team, Pujols hinted that he could imagine a future as a team manager: “I think, you know, why not? If the opportunity is right one day, I think I’ll be ready for that.”
Pujols has spread his wings since retiring, working as a special assistant to Commissioner Rob Manfred and doing on-air game analysis for the MLB Network. He is also going to manage Dominican winter league club Leones del Escogido, a gig he said he has always dreamed of. “I think of it as an opportunity to hopefully get a job up here in the big leagues someday,” he said, per Sportskeeda.
- Pujols is widely expected to enter the Hall of Fame in 2028, when he becomes eligible; with a US$170 million net worth, he came only behind Alex Rodriguez as the highest paid player in history in 2020
- Pujols sold his Californian mansion, which is over 9,200 sq ft with 8 bathrooms and 5 en suite bedrooms, for US$8.8 million earlier this year – but is more prudent with money than most