Astros To Interview Albert Pujols, Morgan Ensberg For Managerial Job

Key Points:

• The Houston Astros are set to interview two new managerial candidates this week: Cardinals legend Albert Pujols and former Astro Morgan Ensberg, both of whom have connections to new Astros GM Randy Flores.
• Pujols and Flores played together for five seasons in St. Louis, while Ensberg and Flores were college teammates at USC; the Astros are also interviewing Rangers’ bench coach Luis Urueta and Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus.
• Pujols, who has prior managerial experience with the Dominican Republic national team and was a strong contender for the Angels’ manager position last winter, was a notable rival to the Astros as a player, hitting 62 home runs against them.
• Ensberg spent much of his playing career with Houston and transitioned quickly into coaching, managing at various minor league levels including the Rays’ Double-A and Triple-A affiliates over recent years.
• The Astros’ managerial search reflects a mix of experienced former players with strong ties to the organization and seasoned coaches from other MLB systems.