Humble beginnings… Albert Pujols was not Stephen Stasburg. Strasburg is the all-world pitcher who was the first player picked in the 2009 MLB draft, someone seen as a sure-fire success in the major leagues, who the Washington Nationals are currently doing their best to not bring him up as quickly as is humanly possible (but will likely fail in that endeavor). Pujols, meanwhile, was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 13th round of the 1999 MLB draft, and was, according to Baseball America, seen as the #42 prospect leading up to the 2001 season. So far, one of the most consistent players ever… He soon made the Cardinals (and the rest of baseball) wonder why they waited that long to draft him. He won the Rookie of the Year award in 2001 with one of the most impressive rookie seasons ever. Including that season, he’s never hit less than 32 home runs, driven in less than 116 runs or had a batting average lower than .314 in a season. If he continues to hit like he has and plays for another decade, he’ll likely go down as one of the greatest hitters ever, if not the greatest ever. Stresses faith, family and others… The Pujols Family Foundation‘s mission is “to live and share our commitment to faith, family and others.” He and his wife, Deidre, launched it in 2005, and it aims to help both those families and children living with Down syndrome (their daughter Isabella was born with the condition) and impoverished children in the Dominican Republic (where he was born).
By the Numbers:
- The Pujols Family Foundation’s 1st annual Winter Wonderland in 2009, which included ice sculptures, an ice maze and winter games, raised nearly $3,000 for the foundation.
- With the 371st home run he hit on April 12 of this season, he passed Eddie Matthews and now has the most home runs ever in the first 10 years of a career.
- The foundation put on its 3rd annual Autumn Prom last October, with about 350 youths and adults with Down syndrome and their dates in attendance.
- He’s won the National League Most Valuable Player award three different times.
- Pujols also won the 2008 MLB Roberto Clemente Award, given to the player who “combines a dedication to giving back to the community with outstanding skills on the baseball field.”
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Photo by DaylightMoon73 via Flickr.