Albert Pujols plays a shot at the 2024 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
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He is one of only four players with 700 home runs – and a first-ballot Hall of Famer. So why doesn’t ‘Umshini’ get a match with the GOAT?
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GOLF: He is famous for hitting the baseball a long way. What club would you use to hit a golf ball other than Busch Stadium, where you played for the Cardinals for years?
Albert Pujols: From home plate, I can ring the 4 bell outside Busch Stadium.
G: Do you think? Out on the street?
AP: Yes, for sure. I hit my 4-iron about 215 or 225 yards. What is it – 130 yards to center? So, you add another 100 yards to that…
G: Well! What is your favorite thing about golf?
AP: For me, definitely, 100 percent, getting the chance to play with my son AJ [a former collegiate golfer at Vanguard University]. Of course he can beat me. He hits the ball a long way. He loves the game. I love the game. It’s not an easy game to pick up after retirement. But I enjoy it, you know?
G: What else do you like about it?
AP: Just playing with friends. This is a game, it doesn’t matter if you are young or old — you can still play it. And it’s fun, you know? It puts me at ease.
G: Where do you plan to put it together this year?
AP: I was invited to play [the American Century Championship] in Tahoe. So that’s great. I live in the Dominican Republic now and it’s always fun to play in the DR.
G: Yes, many beautiful places there. I heard you should play at Grove XXIII, Michael Jordan’s course in Florida. Did you see MJ while you were out?
AP: Yes. All three times I’ve been there, he’s actually played on the team in front of me or behind me.
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G: But not with you?
AP: No, not me. [Laughs] He has his usual team.
G: You’re still working on that, I think. What did you think of the drones they have flying there? The ones they use to deliver drinks and food?
AP: Actually, three times I was there, it was so windy that they couldn’t use the drones. But this place is unbelievable. Good. I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to play it to definitely go.
G: Where did you put the other one? Have you been out to Augusta National?
AP: No, not yet. One day, maybe.
G: Derek Jeter told me that with baseball, everything seemed natural to him. But with golf, nothing seems natural. Do I agree?
AP: I understand that.
G: I noticed that you don’t spend much time on the ball. You just get up and hit it.
AP: Yes, usually, the more I think about hitting, the worse I get!
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