The Houston Astros are set to interview Albert Pujols about being their next manager. Pujols' legendary playing career speaks for itself, but can he translate that greatness to the dugout?

Podcaster Tyler Stafford isn't entirely sure, per Crush City Territory. Essentially, Stafford said Pujols may be “too good” at the game, which could hurt him. In other words, explaining the game well isn't the same as playing well.

“My only concern with Albert Pujols is that he is too good at baseball,” Stafford said. “I think that sometimes when you're too good naturally, it's difficult to explain to mortals what you're doing. ”

Stafford then cited other legendary players, such as Barry Bonds, who took coaching positions, but it didn't pan out.

“We saw Barry Bonds take a hitting coach job with the Marlins, and they struggled. There's not a ton of really good managers who are also the best player in baseball. Now part of that is because there's just not a lot of guys who are the best players in baseball who also want to become managers. Maybe Albert Pujols really wants to manage for the next 30 years and knows how to do it. Of course managers differ from hitting coach, you're not in the weeds as much. Your more kind of setting the tone of the locker room and the people in there.

Albert Pujols’ first coaching tip? “Just hit 700 home runs…” 😂 @tylercstafford wonders if Pujols is too naturally gifted to manage the Astros, arguing “it is difficult to explain to mortals what you’re doing.” pic.twitter.com/Qbb8Lzd5wD

— Crush City Territory (@CrushCityShow) November 6, 2026

Article Continues Below

A handful of great players became great managers. John McGraw, Roger Hornsby, Lou Boudreau, Frank Robinson, Dusty Baker, and Joe Torre are among them.

The Astros fired manager Joe Espada after the Chicago White Sox eliminated them in the AL Wild Card series. Pujols finished his playing career with 3,384 hits, 703 home runs, and 2,218 RBIs.