Angels introduce Pujols, Wilson

ANAHEIM, California (AP) ― Every time Albert Pujols got close to the metal crowd-control barriers, fans shrieked and shoved forward for autographs and high-fives. With his new red cap shielding his eyes from the brilliant Southern California sun, Pujols soaked in the cheers and the rays on his first day in his new home.

Baseball’s most feared slugger has arrived in Southern California, and his staggering new paychecks aren’t the only reason he left St. Louis for the Los Angeles Angels.

Pujols and left-hander C.J. Wilson made their first public appearances with their new team Saturday at a raucous pep rally under the two giant hats outside Angel Stadium. Thousands of fans showed up to celebrate the Angels’ audacious signing of two elite free agents in their primes for a combined $331.5 million, forever changing the club’s identity and expectations.

Pujols pulled on his new white No. 5 jersey to adoring chants of “We got Albert!”

“It was really emotional,” Pujols said of his decision-making process, which moved quickly over 36 hours earlier this week. “But when you feel there’s somebody out there that wants you really bad and was doing everything he could to bring you to the ballclub, it’s pretty special.”

That somebody would be Arte Moreno, the Angels owner who landed the biggest free agent on the market with the second-biggest contract in baseball history, surpassed only by Alex Rodriguez’s reworked deal with the Yankees. Moreno’s offer of $254 million over 10 years was enough to persuade a three-time MVP who had spent his entire 11-year career in St. Louis to leave the Cardinals shortly after winning his second World Series title.

Braun has positive test

NEW YORK (AP) ― National League MVP Ryan Braun has tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance, a case still under appeal to an arbitrator under Major League Baseball’s drug program, a person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press.

The person spoke Saturday night on condition of anonymity because the appeal is still ongoing. The positive test was first reported by ESPN.

If Braun’s appeal is denied, the Milwaukee Brewers star would be subject to a 50-game suspension.

Braun tested positive for elevated testosterone, ESPN said, adding that a later test determined the testosterone was synthetic.

If suspended, Braun would be eligible to return for Milwaukee’s May 31 game at the Los Angeles Dodgers, barring any postponements. He would miss the first 57 days of the major league season, losing about $1.87 million of his $6 million salary.