Albert Pujols on remainder of contract: 'I'm not going to embarrass myself'

Angels first baseman Albert Pujols has eight years and $212 million left on his contract beyond this season. (Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) Though Albert
Albert Pujols on remainder of contract: 'I'm not going to embarrass myself'
Albert Pujols on remainder of contract: 'I'm not going to embarrass myself' /

Angels first baseman Albert Pujols has eight years and $212 million left on his contract beyond this season. (Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

Though Albert Pujols' production is already in decline, the Los Angeles Angels are set to pay their first baseman $212 million beyond this season.

By the time his 10-year, $240-million contract expires in 2021, Pujols will be 41 years old.

But the future Hall of Famer said on Saturday that fans should not expect him to become dead weight, as Yankees fans have witnessed with Alex Rodriguez's 10-year, $275-million deal.

After hitting two home runs to bring the Angels' record to 2-3, Pujols made telling comments about his future plans.

From the Los Angeles Times' Mike DiGiovanna:

"God has given me ability and talent, but the day I feel like I can't compete any more on this level, I'm not going to embarrass myself," Pujols said. "I'm going to walk off. Whether that's next year, two years from now, only God knows."

Pujols didn't mean to say he plans to retire in a year or two — he still has a passion to compete and to prove people he can still play, much like he did last season, when he rebounded from a horrendous start.

"It seems like when people doubt me, I always have that chip on my shoulder to prove them wrong," Pujols said. "I've been doing that since the day I became a professional."


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