Albert Pujols spent more than two decades building one of the most extraordinary careers in baseball history. Now, the Dominican legend is using his influence to encourage Latinos to take colorectal cancer screening seriously, while keeping his ambitions alive for a new chapter in Major League Baseball.
In an interview with this reporter, Pujols spoke about the childhood dreams that took him from the Dominican Republic to the major leagues, the discipline behind his success, his experience managing elite players, and the pride of representing his country on the international stage.
But the conversation also revealed a different side of the former slugger, one who understands that even the strongest athletes cannot rely on physical fitness or appearances to determine whether they are healthy. "It doesn't matter how you feel physically or how good you look," Pujols said. "That doesn't give you signs of cancer."
The former St. Louis Cardinals star revealed that he partnered with Cologard "out of a need to make Latinos understand the urgency of preventing health problems" and recently completed an at-home colorectal cancer screening test himself and described the process as surprisingly simple.
"I just did the same one," he said. "It's very simple. You don't have to do much. They give you the instructions you need to follow."
For Pujols, the partnership with Cologuard is an opportunity to reach people who might otherwise postpone screening, particularly in Latino communities where conversations about preventive healthcare can be difficult.
His message is straightforward: Adults at average risk should begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45, even when they feel perfectly healthy. "The cancer is no joke," he said, urging people to take screening seriously.
Pujols' concerns reflect a growing public health challenge. Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States when men and women are combined, while rising rates among younger adults have prompted renewed attention to screening.
The American Cancer Society updated its screening guidelines in May 2026, reaffirming age 45 as the recommended starting point for average-risk adults and expanding the available testing options. People with a family history or other risk factors may need screening earlier.
At-home stool DNA tests such as Cologuard offer an alternative to colonoscopy for eligible patients at average risk. They do not replace colonoscopy for higher-risk patients, and a positive result requires a follow-up colonoscopy.
From a Humble Childhood to Baseball Immortality
Long before cancer awareness became part of his public work, Pujols was a Dominican boy following his father everywhere, discovering a passion that would eventually make him one of baseball's greatest hitters.
"My first memories are with my dad," he recalled. "I started playing when I was six years old. By 12, I knew I had the talent and ability to play professionally." At 16, he moved to the United States, where he continued his education before entering professional baseball.
His journey was hardly guaranteed. Pujols credits his upbringing, his family's values and his ability to stay focused for helping him navigate the challenges that came with pursuing a professional sports career. "I come from a very humble family that gave me a very good education and very good principles," he said. "You can't control the future, but you can control certain things that happen."
Those principles carried him through a 22-season Major League career, three National League MVP awards, two World Series championships with the Cardinals and 703 career home runs. Now, at 46, he is applying that experience to a different ambition: managing a Major League Baseball team.
Latino Pride and His Dream of Managing in MLB
Pujols' experience leading the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic gave him another opportunity to represent his country while working with some of the sport's most talented players. "It was a very beautiful experience," he said. "For me, it has always been a source of pride to raise our flag and represent our country."
He also celebrated the enthusiasm generated by the tournament, particularly the passionate atmosphere created by Latin American fans.
"I think that tournament brought a lot to baseball, especially this year here in the United States," he said. "A lot of people have asked me why they have to wait another four years." His answer is that those are the tournament's rules, although he believes the competition elevated baseball's popularity. "I think it took our baseball to another level."
As for his managerial aspirations, Pujols made clear that it is still a goal and has a clear vision about how he would bring the Latino element into the MLB management style. He believes communication is among the most valuable lessons he has learned. "The important thing is having the opportunity to communicate to a player what he needs to do and how he needs to do it," he explained.
His years as a player have also taught him that different athletes respond to different approaches. He hopes to use that knowledge to guide the next generation. "If God gives me the opportunity to work with a team here in the Major Leagues, I'm going to try to do my best, just as I did as a player and now as a manager, to win a championship."
The competitive fire clearly remains, and for someone who has spent his life competing, coaching and chasing championships, slowing down does not appear to be part of the plan.
Still, Pujols hopes his latest message reaches people who may never step onto a baseball diamond. "My message to everyone 45 and older is to get screened and really take this seriously," he said.
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