Quick FactsTeam: St. Louis Cardinals (2001-Present)
Position: First Base
MLB Tenure: 9 seasons
2009 Salary: $14.4 million
2009 Stats: 124 R, 45 2B, 47 HR, 135 RBI, 115 RBI, .327 BA
Other: 3-time NL MVP, 8-time All-Star, 2001 Rookie of the Year, 5 Silver Slugger Awards, 1 Gold Glove, 2008 Roberto Clemente Award Winner
Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals is notorious for the power numbers he produces on the field (which recently earned him his third National League MVP Award), but he makes big contributions off the field as well. The 2008 recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award primarily contributes through his non-profit organization, the Pujols Family Foundation. Just when you think he can't get any better, he does.
The Pujols Family Foundation, which has a focus on Faith, Family, and Others, is geared toward three main causes: promoting awareness and helping families and children who have Down Syndrome (Pujols' stepdaughter is affected by it), improving the lives of children with disabilities and/or life-threatening illnesses, and helping impoverished children in the Dominican Republic (his home country). The foundation is funded through donations, fundraising events (like the annual Christmas Celebration, Golf Classic, etc.) and sponsors, such as Ford Motor Company and American Airlines. The foundation also hosts events for the people it helps, like their annual prom for people with Down Syndrome and Mother-Daughter events. Pujols also stepped up to help establish a Down Syndrome center for adults in St. Louis and provided funding for Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Tournament (Coolbaugh was a former teammate of Pujols' who was killed by a foul ball in the minor leagues).Though Pujols is mostly known for his big bat, it should also be known that he also has one of the biggest hearts in the league.
For more information, or to donate:
Pujols Family Foundation: Faith, Family, and Others
Player Information
Pictures from:
http://www.pujolsfamilyfoundation.org/images/logo-events.gif
http://blog.pennlive.com/pasports/2008/11/large_albert-pujols-111708.jpg
1 comment:
And, don't forget, the proceeds from his restaurant in St. Louis, Pujols5, go directly into his Foundation.
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