Albert Pujols #5

Quick Facts

Born: January 16, 1980 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Team: 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

Nick Swisher #33

Quick Facts
Born: November 25, 1980 in Columbus, OH
Team: New York Yankees (2009-Present), Chicago White Sox ('08), Oakland Athletics ('05-'07)
Position: Outfield, First Base
MLB Tenure: 5 seasons
2009 Salary: $5.4 million
2009 Stats: 29 HR, 82 RBI, .371 OBP, 84 R
Charitable Work: Swish's Wishes, cancer awareness, Strikeouts for Troops, Tony LaRussa's Animal Rescue Foundation, Make A Wish Foundation, Special Olymipcs

Nick Swisher, of the World Series Champion Yankees, is one of the more outgoing players in baseball today. Not only does he have one of the great personalities in the game, but also has one of the strongest giving spirits. Throughout his career, he has been involved with numerous charities including Barry Zito's Strikeouts for Troops, Tony LaRussa's Animal Rescue Foundation, the Make A Wish Foundation, the Special Olymipcs, and his own foundation-- Swish's Wishes.

Swish's Wishes was founded in 2007, while Nick was still with the Oakland Athletics. Since then, he spent a season in Chicago with the White Sox, and is currently a member of the New York Yankees. During his time in each city, he has worked to make a difference through his foundation and with other efforts such as frequent hospital visits. Swish's Wishes is geared toward "enriching lives and lifting the spirits of children who are facing vital health issues while providing care, comfort, and support through the most difficult of times." Swisher's foundation supports organizations such as the Lynn Sage Cancer Foundation, Janet Pomeroy Center, Tony LaRussa's Animal Foundation, UCSF Children's Hospital, and Military Families Appreciation.

Nick's grandmother, who raised him after his parents' divorce, had a strong influence on him and instilled a giving spirit in him. She battled brain cancer in 2005, and unfortunately passed away. Since then, Swisher has been very involved with cancer organizations. Also in 2007, he grew out his hair for a year to cut and donate it to make a wig for a cancer patient.

This is what Nick says:

"I love helping people, anyway I can. I’m fortunate to be in a position where I can use my position in baseball positively to make a difference in people’s lives... It doesn’t always have to be a big new story to help someone, the way I see it, it’s reading a story to a child in the hospital, visiting with our injured troops and shaking hands and talking baseball, growing out my hair so a wig can be made for a woman dealing with hair loss from chemotherapy, or simply making sure I sign as many autographs as I can. Every action I take can make a difference in someone’s life. It’s the challenge and the opportunity that we all have to give back to others. This is what drives me. This is who I am."



For more information or to donate:
NickSwisher.net
Player Info

Photos from: http://www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/USA+v+New+York+Yankees+NyH-dkoYQiZl.jpg
http://www.nickswisher.net/photos/images/adambender_6.JPG
http://mlbplayers.mlb.com/images/2007/05/19/lsVtOx78.jpg
http://www.nickswisher.net/images/photo_charities.jpg