Albert Pujols has spent two decades playing baseball at the highest level, compiling three MVP Awards and 10 All-Star appearances. But after joining the Los Angeles Dodgers to finish out this past season, he now joins the Marvel universe during free agency.
Pujols, who intends to play again in 2022, appeared in an ad for the new Marvel “Eternals” movie, which released in theaters on Nov. 5.
The future Hall of Famer is joined in the campaign by two other legends in their respective sports, Hall of Fame NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and WNBA point guard Sue Bird.
In the ad that was posted to Instagram, Pujols and Bird are urged to retire by Manning, who argues they are drawing too much attention to their status as Eternals:
“Eternals” introduces some of the most powerful characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and each character is an immortal being with unique powers.
Pujols debuted in 2001, Bird has played since 2002, and Manning was in the NFL from 1998-2015. So all three could be considered some of the immortals of their respective sports.
The 41-year-old Pujols is 21 home runs away from 700 in his career, so he will hope to use some of his powers to reach that mark next season.
Pujols becomes the latest Dodger to make an appearance in digital media. Mookie Betts previously appeared in an ad for Call of Duty: Warzone to help promote one of the biggest updates in the franchise’s history.
Betts can be seen hitting a grenade with a shotgun baseball bat, shielding himself and former L.A. Lakers guard Dennis Schroder in the process.
Cody Bellinger also made his own appearance in media off the field, becoming the character Otta Sluggasson in the video game Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
Bellinger provided the motion capture, voice acting and face modeling for the characters, which players can encounter on their journey through the game.
In the reveal, Sluggasson is shown swinging a spiked club reminiscent of a baseball bat to Eivor, the protagonist character. Sluggasson can also be seen preparing to go to bat over a home plate-like stump.
Pujols celebrates walk-off single
As Pujols prepares to play for next season, he has been participating in the Dominican Winter League for the first time in his career.
Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League (LIDOM) acquired his rights from the Gigantes del Cibao in exchange for Melky Mesa and former Dodgers relief pitcher Edward Paredes.
In his debut for Leones del Escogido, Pujols delivered a walk-off single and was seen dancing with the team in the clubhouse after the game.
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