Posted on 09/04/2006 9:04:02 AM PDT by Charles Henrickson
Love the quote from the Pittsburgh pitcher: "That's like Superman playing baseball."
I'll post some photos in a little bit.
St. Louis Cardinals Albert Pujols stands with "Down Syndrome Association starting line up" first baseman Brendan Hodges before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, Sept. 3, 2006 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Pujols is the events honorary chairman.
It seems to me that in this day of drugged up athletes and bad boy athletes, the story of Pujols has gone under-reported. He is truly one for the ages.
Here's why:
1) He doesn't play in New York or Boston, thus ESPN is not interested.
2) He's a good guy. No scandals, trash talk, etc.
True and I seem to recall he's a fairly religious guy which is a definite no-no.
"no scandals..."
Not yet, perhaps. But when his trainer, a close friend who Pujols has been working with since he was 18, is referenced this past year by steroid/HGH abuser pitcher Jason Grimsley as the conduit to these substances, I'll reserve judgement on Albert's bid for sainthood.
I'm not buying it, however.
Amen. Earlier this year he struck out and tossed his bat. For a couple of weeks there were rumors all over the BB blogs about his 'bad attitude' and the dissent in the Cards dugout. What tripe. In actuality when he got home his wife told him it didn't look good, so he publicly apologized.
Ruthian indeed...when I heard about this in the morning, I just shook my head and smiled. THIS guy is the real Big Poppy...
I can't stand his perpetual smirk, and his lumbering out of the box after he crushes the ball, but the dude can play. No doubt about that. But there's no way he's really 26.
Is that you, Brad Lidge? :-)
Yes. I spend all my time FReeping instead of working on my mechanics, and there you have this season.
and Isabella is his adopted daughter. Very good man, nice story.
Deidre Pujols's Biography:
“I knew it even before the doctors knew.” Deidre Pujols remembers. “Minutes after I gave birth to my daughter Isabella, the nurse showed her to me and I knew that she had Down Syndrome.”
The 21 year old single mother knew instantly that her life would never be the same. But she had no idea how right she was. Just weeks after Isabella’s birth some friends invited Deidre to a Salsa Club for a ‘girls night out’. It was there she saw Albert Pujols for the first time. “Albert never went to clubs. He did not drink, he didn’t even want people smoking around him.” Deidre recounts. “It was meant to be.”
On their first date, at the Cheese Cake Factory, Albert made a confession. “He told me that he had lied about his age, he told me he was 21, but he was only 18.” Deidre says “But, I had a confession of my own.”
It was then that Deidre told Albert that she had an infant daughter, and that she had Down Syndrome. “I found some literature about Down Syndrome in Spanish, so he could understand completely.” Half expecting never to hear from Pujols again, Deidre was amazed when Albert opened his heart to Isabella and embraced her as his own child.
The couple was married on January 1, 2000. Soon after the wedding, the Pujols family found themselves with the Cardinals farm team in Peoria, Illinois. “Albert was making $252.00 every two weeks, we were truly living on love!” Deidre laughs. “We ate a lot of Mac-n-Cheese in those days.”
“Then Albert got the call from The Cardinals in 2001... and everything went crazy!"
On May 5, 2005, Albert and Deidre launched a long-time dream: The Pujols Family Foundation, (www.pujolsfamilyfoundation.org) which exists to honor God and strengthen families through their works, deeds and example. The Foundation is dedicated to the love, care and development of people with Down Syndrome and their families. In addition, the Foundation has a global vision, reaching out to impoverished families and children in the Dominican Republic, Albert’s native country.
Deidre will quickly tell you that God and her family are the primary focus of her life. ”But, to whom much is given, much is required.” Deidre quotes Luke, 12:48. “We have never forgotten our past or those who are in need. I believe we are put on this earth for a purpose. I believe God has blessed us with the unique blessings that we have for a specific reason. Faith, Family and Others is so much more than a mission statement to me, it is my calling.”
Deidre and Albert live in St. Louis with their three children.
Good one. Albert got another homer today too. He is Superman!!
What is it you are not buying? The point about Pujols' trainer/friend and that guy's involvement with Grimsley is not an arguable point, no one is denying it. You probably think the fact that both Sheffield and Giambi used the same Balco trainer as Bonds shouldn't raise any suspicion whatsoever about their possible steroid use. Gimme a break. Apparently, you would be stunned at the extent of the juicing in MLB.
I don't believe that.
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