Pujols: Star on the Rise
By Joe Davis
One of the most under-the-radar hitters in baseball is Albert Pujols. Since his outstanding rookie year in 2001, he continues to get better. His lifetime numbers are as follows
629 Games, 2363 At-bats, 500 runs, 787 hits, 189 doubles, 9 triples, 160 homeruns, 504 RBI, 304 BB, 279 SO, .333 avg, .413 OBP, .624 SLG, 1.037 OPS. These are outstanding numbers for a hitter. What is even more impressive is that he is only 24 years of age.
Jose Alberto Pujols was in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. At age 16, Pujols moved to the U.S. and his family settled in the Kansas City area. After graduating high school in Missouri, he made a name for himself in Maple Woods Community College. Pujols earned a baseball scholarship, and was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 13th round of the 1999 free agent draft.
Pujols got married on New Year's Day in 2000. Because his stepdaughter, Isabella, suffers with Downs Syndrome, Pujols is a supporter for Downs Syndrome research and is involved in the Downs Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis and the national society as well.
Even though Pujols is an outstanding player, he is an even greater person. As a Red Sox fan I am rooting for the Red Sox but it will be an honor for the Sox to play against such a good guy.
