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Albert Pujols, Dodgers getting last laugh on crosstown rival Angels

By Kevin Henry

Oct 21, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Albert Pujols (55) reacts after being walked in the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves during game five of the 2021 NLCS at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Albert Pujols (55) reacts after being walked in the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves during game five of the 2021 NLCS at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to Google Maps, just 31.4 miles separates the home stadiums of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels. This season, however, has once again proven that there are miles between the franchises not only on the map, but also in the ability to build a team for postseason success.

Why Albert Pujols is letting the Los Angeles Dodgers have another moment of Southern California superiority over the Los Angeles Angels

When the Los Angeles Angels designated the 41-year-old Pujols for assignment on May 13, it didn’t take the future Hall of Famer any time at all to find a new home … and he didn’t have to move far at all. On May 17, the Los Angeles Dodgers inked Pujols to a free agent contract for the rest of the season.

And here’s the beauty of the contract if you’re wearing Dodger blue. The Angels paid Pujols $30 million this season while the Dodgers paid him a prorated league minimum salary. Pujols played in 24 games for the Angels this season while seeing action in 85 contests with the Dodgers.

Yes, the Angels paid for Pujols to play for their crosstown rivals more than themselves in 2021.

While the Angels missed the playoffs and haven’t been to the postseason since bowing out of the 2014 American League Division Series in a sweep at the hands of the Kansas City Royals, Pujols helped the Dodgers reach the National League Championship Series for the fifth time in the last six seasons.

Pujols has made an impact during the 2021 Dodgers run as well, hitting 12 home runs and driving in 38 while slashing .254/.299/.460 playing primarily against left-handed pitching. In the postseason, heading into Game 6 of the NLCS against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night, Pujols was 5-for-15 at the plate, including a pinch-hit laser of a single in Game 4 against Atlanta.

Next. Yes, Dave Roberts is absolutely reading your tweets. dark

While no one knows what lies ahead for Pujols, one thing is clear: He made an impact for a Los Angeles team in 2021. It just wasn’t the one we were all expecting when the season began.

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