It’s Albert Pujols weekend on MLB Network

If you turn on MLB Network this weekend, there’s an excellent chance you’ll see Albert Pujols. a The future Hall of Famer will be showcased over the next three days, with 10 classic games in his career re-airing on the network.

Pujols will also be on an episode of Play Ball with Harold Reynolds (Saturday, 7 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. PT). In that episode, Pujols was asked if Mike Trout will finish with more career home runs than him.

“Well, for sure. I think at the pace that he’s going, for sure,” Pujols said. “The key with Trout is that if he can stay healthy, he’s not only going to pass me but he’s gonna pass many guys in front of me too that I’m chasing. So, I think it all depends on God willing that he stays healthy.”

Pujols currently ranks sixth all-time with 656 home runs, four behind Willie Mays. Trout is at 285 home runs through his age-27 season. Pujols through his age-27 year (2007) had 282 homers.

Three of the Pujols games re-aired came with the Angels, all with milestones, and all airing on Monday:

• 9 a.m. PT: Angels at Mariners, May 4, 2018 — Pujols collects his 3,000th hit two years ago to the day, the 32nd person to join the 3,000-hit club.
• 11:30 a.m.: Angels at Cardinals, June 22, 2019 — Pujols in his first series back in St. Louis since signing with the Angels as a free agent, homers against Dakota Hudson.
• 9 p.m.: Twins at Angels, June 3, 2017 — Pujols joins the 600-homer club.

Links

• Pujols hasn’t yet made a decision whether he will retire once his Angels contract ends after the 2021 season, telling Alden Gonzalez of ESPN, “Just because you have one year left on your contract doesn’t mean it’s your last year. It could be, but it could not be. God hasn’t put that in my heart yet.”
• MLB.com selected the best batting eye for every team in the AL West, and, no surprise, the Angels’ selection was none other than Trout.
• Major league umpires reached a deal with MLB that will pay umpires 50 percent of their May salary, and a pro-rated salary should a 2020 season be played, per Ben Walker at the Associated Press. Part of the reported agreement gives MLB the right to opt not to use video replays for the 2020 season.
• Dan Szymborski at FanGraphs looked at how shortened seasons affect projection systems.