Pujols ready for some baseball as an Angel

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 just as the morning sun crept above the horizon, and more than a week earlier than required, Pujols reported to training camp Monday with the Los Angeles Angels, who will pay the three-time N.L. MVP $240 million over the next 10 years to be the face of their franchise – and to hopefully bring them several World Series titles.

“I’m just really excited to be here; it feels good to be outside,” Pujols said during a news conference held at a nearby luxury hotel. “I’ve been training for three months, hitting in a cage in St. Louis, and it feels good to be here for some spring baseball.”

Pujols stopped in the equipment room and shook a few hands before heading to the clubhouse, where his locker is flanked by veterans Bobby Abreu and Torii Hunter.

“The guys are awesome,” Pujols said. “They well-received me as soon as I walked in there.”