Albert Pujols: Angels Fire Hitting Coach Amidst Slugger's Struggles

With Albert Pujols mired in the worst slump of his career and the Los Angeles Angels sitting 12th in the American League in runs scored, it does not come as a surprise that the team fired hitting coach Mickey Hatcher on Tuesday, according to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com. 

"

The #Angels have dismissed hitting coach Mickey Hatcher.

— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) May 16, 2012"

According to Scott Miller of CBS Sports, before a series with the Minnesota Twins two weeks ago, Pujols stood up in front of his teammates to deliver a pep talk, which Hatcher told reporters about before the game. 

Pujols was none too thrilled about his words in the locker room being told to reporters for the whole world to hear. 

"

Mickey should have never told you guys that. That stuff needs to be private. He should have never told the media.

What we talked about at the meeting, not disrespecting Mickey, but that stuff should stay behind closed doors.

"

The fact that the Angels are near the bottom of the league in runs scored isn't a huge surprise, considering they have finished ninth and 10th in that category the previous two seasons. They are a team built on making contact, not working counts, drawing walks and hitting home runs. 

That was supposed to change with Pujols, but his struggles have only magnified the Angels' offensive woes. 

When a team has high expectations coming into the season and fails to play up to them right out of the gate, heads will roll. Manager Mike Scioscia isn't going anywhere, and you can't fire players. Well, you can, but the Angels aren't going to eat the albatross that is Vernon Wells' contract.

So someone has to answer for the struggles of the team. Considering that Pujols had a problem with Hatcher that went public, it was easy for the Angels front office to make this decision. 

When the choice comes down to keeping a star player who is signed for 10 years and $240 million versus a hitting coach making around six figures, the decision is easy. 

Of course, there could end up being a bigger issue here. Drew Silva of Hardball Talk points out that Hatcher is a longtime friend of Scioscia, who was not present when the firing was announced.

The Angels are obviously feeling the pressure this season. Pujols has been pressing since Opening Day, though he did have three hits on Tuesday night. His rift with Hatcher was the perfect opening for the team to hold someone accountable for the disaster that has been the first five weeks of the season.

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