Big names report to camp
TEMPE, Ariz. — Decked out in Angels’ gear from head to toe, Albert Pujols looked like the same slugger whose swing in St. Louis became as symbolic as the Gateway Arch.
With a halo-topped “A’’ logo on his cap, Pujols, his massive chest and arms filling out every corner of his red shirt, sat behind a microphone and excitedly announced the start of a new stage of his career. “Here I am,” he said. And here he goes. Arriving more than a week earlier than required, Pujols reported to training camp Monday with the Los Angeles Angels, who will pay the three-time NL MVP $240 million over the next 10 years to be the face of their franchise — and to hopefully bring them several World Series titles.
Although only the Angels’ pitchers and catchers had to be at camp this early, Pujols, 32, wanted to be there from Day One as well. He felt it was important to begin bonding with his new teammates, some of whom were caught staring at him from across the clubhouse.
It didn’t take long for Pujols to feel like he was part of the club.
During manager Mike Scioscia’s first team meeting, Pujols’ cellphone rang, earning the superstar his first petty fine, which according to a team official, will require him to buy his skipper lunch.
“I can’t go back and feel sorry,” Pujols said of his decision to leave St. Louis. “It’s time to move forward. It’s like another chapter in my life and it’s time to open a new one. I don’t want to go look over my shoulder and regret the decisions I made. It was the best for me and my family.”
Tigers: Miguel Cabrera began smacking line drives all over a practice diamond at the Detroit Tigers’ spring training complex. Then Prince Fielder — who arrived at camp Monday — stepped up and cracked a soaring shot toward right field.
Fielder and Cabrera both came to camp early, along with a handful of other position players.
“Does it mean you’re going to win more games? No,” manager Jim Leyland said. “But it makes you happy that guys want to be down here with the guys.”
Fielder agreed to a $214 million, nine-year contract with Detroit in the offseason.
Athletics: Manny Ramirez is expected to join the team by the end of the week after agreeing to a minor league contract. The 12time All-star is due to serve a 50game suspension for his second positive drug test before he can play. Barring rainouts, his first game could be May 30 — on his 40th birthday.
Yankees: A day after trading A.J. Burnett, the team used some of the salary they saved to add Raul Ibanez as their left-handed designated hitter. Ibanez agreed to a $1.1 million, one-year contract. Ibanez, 39, hit .245 last year with 20 homers and 84 RBIS with the Phillies.
Also, closer Mariano Rivera hinted 2012 could be his final year in the major leagues, saying he won’t announce his long-term plans until after the season.
LOCAL RESULTS