In Photos: Albert Pujols' wife Nicole shares heartwarming 'friendsgiving' moments with Cardinals icon and close friends
For Albert Pujols, November usually marks the first full month of rest after a long season. Indeed, for 22 years, this was exactly how the MLB icon operated. However, since his retirement, the time for family and friends has been expanded.
Recently, Pujols' wife, Nicole, took to Instagram to share some images of herself and her husband entertaining in their home over Thanksgiving. In the collection of pictures, Nicole could be seen posing with her husband, as well as her sister and close friends. An ornate table set-up was also depicted, likely in anticipation of a hearty meal, Nicole captioned the array with the term 'friendsgiving.'
The daughter of former Dominican president Lionel Fernandez, Nicole has been dating Albert Pujols since late 2022 and tied the marital knot in September 2023. Previously, Pujols was married to Deidre from 2000 until 2022, siring five children together before divorcing 22 years later.
A longtime member of the St. Louis Cardinals, Pujols is regarded as one of that organization's most impactful stars. After making his MLB debut as a 21-year-old in 2001, the Dominican hit .329/.403/.610 with 37 home runs and 130 RBIs to win the NL Rookie of the Year.
Over the next decade, fans in St. Louis would come to fall in love with Pujols. However, after playing crucial roles in delivering the World Series to St. Louis in both 2006 and 2011. When his contract was up for renewal after the 2011 season, Pujols shocked the Red Bird fanbase with his decision to sign a 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels worth $254 million.
After a decade playing for the Angels and Dodgers, Albert Pujols returned to St. Louis under a one-year deal for the 2022 season. On September 23, Pujols hit his 700th career home run off of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Phil Bickford, becoming just the fourth MLB star to accomplish such a feat.
Albert Pujols tries his hand at managing in his native DR over the winter
This winter, Pujols is the manager of the Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Winter League. In addition to giving him more time to spend with loved ones in his homeland, it also gives him the chance to face old friends, such as Yadier Molina, who manages the Águilas Cibaeñas of the winter league. A true student of the game, do not be surprised if this managerial jaunt paves the way to an MLB dugout in the coming years.