A small Pujols anecdote...and he is a good guy. We were at a Cards Pirates game at PNC Park. A middle aged man (wearing a Cards shirt)was along the first baseline (he had a teenaged son w/Downs Syndrome). A foul ball went down the line, the man tried for the ball, flipped over the rail; bled badly; he landed on the field. His son was obviuosly scared and confused. Pujols went to the son; talked with; got him into the golfcart they had to load his dad onto (the left by ambulance). But it was obvious Pujols was very understanding of the young man w/Downs. He didn’t have to doa thing, as PNC security and Pirates management were handling the situation; but it was very sincere concern shown on his part.
Albert Pujols picks up award at Glenn Beck rally
By Gautham Nagesh - 08/28/10 12:40 PM ET
St. Louis Cardinals star first baseman Albert Pujols said he was honored and humbled to receive an award for his charitable work during the Restore Honor rally organized by Glenn Beck in Washington on Saturday.
Pujols and his wife Deidre are active in numerous charitable causes in the St. Louis area, most notably the Pujols Family Foundation which helps children and adults with Down Syndrome. The couple have a daughter, Isabella, who was born with the condition.
The family also organizes mission trips to Pujols’ native Dominican Republic. Pujols credited his faith for driving him to help others.
“As long as I’m alive, I’m going to continue to do the best that I can to represent Jesus Christ,” Pujols said. “Twelve years ago I made the best decision of my life and that was following Jesus Christ.”
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa introduced Pujols, who is the reigning National League Most Valuable Player, calling him a hero both on and off the field. He said Pujols’ first ten years in the game have been historic, but not as impressive as his commitments off the field.
“In reality, I think most of us will agree that real-life heroes are hard to find. In fact to many, especially young people, our heroes are a product of movies, TV, and fiction books. But we do have real life heroes, and one of them is our Hope award winner Albert Pujols,” La Russa said.
“What separates Albert is his total commitment to his life in and out of baseball. His commitment to his family, faith and also his tireless, in- and out-of- season commitment to the community.”
God bless him .. how wonderful to see this giving man honored.