Albert Pujols Irked by ‘El Hombre’ Billboards Angels Are Using to Market New Star

The new marriage between Albert Pujols and the Los Angeles Angels is one that should produce positive results for both parties for years to come. However, it appears that they have already hit a minor bump in the road.

ESPN.com reports that Pujols is a little irked by billboards that have been posted in Southern California that refer to the slugger as “El Hombre,” or “The Man” in Spanish.

The reason that Pujols is upset by the reference is that it compares him to Cardinals legend Stan Musial, someone Pujols has an immense amount of respect for. Pujols is uncomfortable with sharing the Spanish version of the same nickname that was given to the Hall of Famer during his playing days.

“Like I say, I haven’t talked to them, but I prefer not to use [El Hombre],” Pujols said Wednesday, according to ESPN.com. 

During his time in St. Louis, Pujols also asked Cardinals fans to refrain from using the nickname out of respect to Musial.

“I still have the same respect for him as I had, not just for what he’s done in baseball but for what he did for his country,” Pujols said. “That’s something you have to appreciate.”