Albert Pujols says he's excited to have a chance to play on the Dodgers and believes the team is good enough to repeat as World Series champions.
Dodgers first baseman Albert Pujols, left, speaks with right fielder Mookie Betts before making his Dodgers debut on May 17.“Everybody wants to play well around him, if that makes sense, because he carries himself the way he does and the stature that he has in the game,” Kershaw said. “So, I think everybody might feel like they want to do something around him, if that makes sense.”
Pujols and Kershaw reside in the stratosphere, future first-ballot Hall of Famers who will be remembered as one of the best, if not the best, of their generation in their respective departments. Pujols is 10-time All-Star and three-time National League MVP with 668 career home runs and 3,259 career hits. Kershaw, 33, is an eight-time All-Star, former NL MVP and three-time Cy Young Award winner.
The first hit Kershaw gave up in the majors was a double by Pujols in his debut in 2008. Off the field, they share a religious and charitable connection. They’ve contributed to the same organizations and directed help to the Dominican Republic, Pujols’ homeland. Pujols said he and Kershaw exchanged a few texts a season during their careers. He’d send Kershaw words of encouragement after his crushing postseason downfalls.