Albert pujols biography essay

Pujols became the 26th player ever to reach the home run mark, as well as the third youngest to reach it. He also became the first player to hit career home runs and in the same game. Due to an injury just days earlier with Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera, Pujols instead started at first base. It was his 10th overall albert pujols biography essay to the midsummer classic, and first as a member of the Los Angeles Angels.

On June 3,Pujols became the ninth player in Major League history to hit at least home runs, when he hit a grand slam off of Ervin Santana of the Minnesota Twins. He was the fourth-youngest player to achieve the feat behind Alex Rodriguez, Babe Ruth, and Hank Aaronand the first to hit a grand slam for his th home run. InPujols was the third-oldest player in the American League.

On May 9, he became the fourth player in major league history to record 2, RBIs, hitting a solo home run in the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in a 13—0 win. Early in the season, Pujols was designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Angels, and shortly after was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers. On May 20,Pujols hit his first home run as a Dodger, a two-run second-inning homer off Merrill Kelly of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Louis, MO P: F: info pujolsfamilyfoundation. Albert Pujols President. He also became the first player to hit career home runs and in the same game Inhe was selected for the All Star Game, Pujols was announced as a reserve for the American League. On May 9, he became the fourth player in major league history to record 2, RBIs, hitting a solo home run in the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in a 13—0 win On August 24,Pujols passed Alex Rodriguez to reach second on the all-time RBIs list with a single against the Astros.

He stands 6 ft 3 in tall, weighs pounds, and bats and throws right-handed. He previously played 11 seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is the only player in major league history to record a batting average of at least. He also is the first player to accumulate at least doubles in his first 12 seasons. Pujols was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States in After one season of college baseball, he was selected by the Cardinals in the 13th round of the MLB Draft.

Pujols often had to take his father home when his father got drunk following games. Growing up, Pujols practiced baseball using limes for balls and a milk carton for a glove. One of his home runs travelled feet m. After graduating from high school a semester early in Decemberhe was given a baseball scholarship to Maple Woods Community College.

Few teams were interested in Pujols because of uncertainty about his age, which position he would play, and his build. Louis Cardinals selected him with the nd overall pick. Pujols began his minor league career in playing third base with the Peoria Chiefs of the single-A Midwest League. He batted. During spring training inincumbent first baseman Mark McGwire told Cardinals manager Tony La Russa that if he did not promote Pujols to the major league roster, "it might be one of the worst moves you make in your career.

According to La Russa, he and the rest of Cardinals management were impressed enough by Pujols that they decided to promote him to the big league club even before Bonilla's injury. On Opening Day against the Colorado Rockies on April 2, Pujols became the first major league player born in the s. In that game, he recorded his first career hit, a single against pitcher Mike Hampton in an 8—0 loss.

The Cardinals finished the season with a 93—69 record and advanced to the playoffs as the National League wild card team. After playing several positions inPujols spent most of in left field. Pujols' contributions helped the Cardinals finish third in home runs and second in batting average and RBI; the Cardinals' pitching staff also finished fourth in ERA.

Pujols had five hits, one home run and two RBI in the series. He became the fourth major leaguer to hit his th home run in his third season, along with Ralph KinerEddie Mathews and Joe DiMaggio. Pujols' highlights later in the season included a July game in which he hit five RBI and three home runs in a thrilling win over the rival Chicago Cubsand another in which he broke up a no-hitter by Giants pitcher Dustin Hermanson.

He said he was confident there was going to be "a lot more. Bymany baseball fans thought that Pujols was the best Cardinal since Musial. Pujols returned to the playoffs as the Cardinals won the NL Central for the second year in a row. The Cardinals won 5—4.

Albert pujols biography essay

Pujols batted. Over two games in AprilPujols hit home runs in four consecutive plate appearances, making him the 20th player to accomplish the feat. Pujols maintained after the game that he was more concerned with winning than the numbers: "I don't look at numbers," he said. I didn't know anything about [the record] until you guys brought it up.

Because that's not me. I don't get locked in on numbers. I don't get locked in on anything like that. I get locked in on seeing the ball and helping my team out to win and hopefully doing some damage out there. The win preserved the Cardinals' 1. Pujols finished the season with a. Near the beginning of the season in an April 22 game against the CubsPujols hit a game-winning three-run home run against Ryan Dempster in the 10th inning of a 12—9 victory, tying Ken Boyer for second all-time on the Cardinals' home run list with his th.

He was among the league leaders in batting average. Pujols began by reaching base in 42 straight games, the longest streak to open a season since He said after the game that to him it was "just another homer that goes out of the park. I'm happy to do it in front of our fans; they were waiting for it. He regretted that the milestone came in a loss, saying, "I wish it would have come with a great win.

It would have been more special. In games inPujols batted. The grand slam was also his th career home run, making him the third-fastest player to reach the milestone, behind Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. Pujols had four hits, scored three runs, and knocked in five RBI on August 4, including a grand slam against Sean Green that tied the NL record for most grand slams in a season fivein a inning, 12—7 victory over the Mets.

Aided by the mid-season acquisition of Matt Holliday who replaced Ryan Ludwick as the cleanup hitter and the emergence of Adam Wainwright who led the NL in winsthe Cardinals returned to the playoffs after a two-year hiatus. The Cardinals called the surgery a "success", and Dr. James Andrews decided that Pujols did not need Tommy John surgery.

Further, in situations with his team leading by one run, tied, or having the potential tying run on base, at bat, or on deck after the seventh inning "late-and-close"he batted. He became the third-youngest player to reach the milestone — behind Griffey Jr. Foxx and Rodriguez are the only two players besides Pujols to have 10 consecutive years of 30 home runs and RBI.

In games, Pujols batted. Pujols and the Cardinals set a deadline for the start of spring training for contract extension negotiations [ ] but failed to reach an agreement. Carpenter noted after the game that Pujols' slump earlier in the year was over: "He continues to do great things, there's no doubt about it," he said. He joined Babe Ruth and Reggie Jackson as the only players in baseball history to hit three home runs in a World Series game, set a series record with 14 total bases, became the first player in series history to have hits in four consecutive innings, and tied records for most hits and most RBI in a World Series game.

Three teams were reported to be interested in Pujols during the offseason: the Cardinals, the Miami Marlinsand the Los Angeles Angels. His wife, Deidre, explained on a radio talk show that they were "insulted" and "confused" that the Cardinals had initially offered Pujols a five-year deal. Pujols did not perform very well to begin the season, batting.

After the game, Holland observed that Pujols had "definitely turned it around, no doubt about it He had a slow start, but he's picked it up. He's a great hitter InPujols had by far the worst season of his career to date, failing to play at least games in a season for the first time. Pujols also posted career worsts in hits, runs scored, doubles, home runs, RBI, walks, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS.

Overall in 99 games, Pujols batted. On August 19,Pujols was ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a foot injury. Clark served as the Cardinals' hitting coach during the early part of Pujols' tenure in St. He denounced Clark's allegations as "irresponsible and reckless," and threatened to sue Clark and WGNU over the allegations.

In return, Pujols dropped the suit. On April 22,Pujols hit his th and th home runs off the Washington Nationals ' Taylor Jordan at Nationals Parkwhere he had hit his th career home run in the season. On August 10, he played in MLB's longest game of the year, and the longest in the history of Angel Stadiumending the inning, 6-hours-andminute contest against the Red Sox with a solo home run for a 5—4 final score.

It was his first walk-off home run as an Angel and first since June He also passed the 1,run mark in the same game. In the process, he became the fifth player in major league history with 2, hits and home runs while maintaining a. For the season, Pujols batted. Before the season, Pujols enjoyed his first offseason in his time with the Angels in which he was both free of injury or recuperation from injury.

However, his offensive production lagged behind his career levels the first month of the season. By the end of April, Pujols was batting. The next month, Pujols' offensive production had started to come around. Between May 28 and June 22, he batted. At this time, he was leading the American League in home runs with His home run total led the major leagues and 73 total bases tied Manny Machado for first in the AL.

Remarkably, his batting average on balls in play was. Due to an injury just days earlier with Tigers slugger Miguel CabreraPujols instead started at first base. It was his 10th overall selection to the midsummer classic, and first as a member of the Angels. For the season, he batted. On April 30,Pujols became the 85th player to make 10, career plate appearances.

On August 17, Pujols joined Barry Bonds as the only other player to be intentionally walked over times. The home run tied him with Frank Robinson for ninth place on the all-time home run list atand allowed him to become the seventh player all-time with 1, career extra base hits, and the 21st to reach 1, RBI. He tied for 2nd in the AL in double plays grounded into, with On June 3,Pujols became the ninth player in Major League history to hit at least home runs, when he hit a grand slam off of Ervin Santana of the Minnesota Twins.

For the season, Pujols played in games and had at bats, but set career-lows in batting average. The next day, Pujols was placed on the day disabled list due to left knee inflammation. Inhe batted. In response, MLB refused to authenticate the ball. The fan, Ely Hydes, eventually decided that he wanted to return the ball to Pujols, who in turn refused, stating that the fan should either keep the ball or donate it to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Pujols had the lowest line drive percentage of all major league hitters At the beginning of the season, Pujols at the age of 40 was the oldest player in the major leagues. InPujols batted. Pujols began the season with the Angels. On May 6,the Angels designated Pujols for assignment. Through 24 games, Pujols was hitting. In nine-plus seasons with the Angels, Pujols hit.

Insportswriter Joe Posnanski of NBC Sports described Pujols as "a cautionary tale against big contracts" and "an overpaid designated hitter in the middle of the lineup for a going-nowhere Los Angeles Angels team". Few have been victimized more than Pujols, the aging slugger who still makes frequent contact but no longer runs well So I feeldouble grace.

Overall, in he appeared in 85 games for the Dodgers and hit. In his first postseason appearance sincehe appeared in nine games for the Dodgers, with five hits in 18 at bats for a batting average of. On March 28,Pujols signed a one-year contract to return to the St. Louis Cardinals and announced that would be his final season. It took 12 hours, maybe even less, to get a deal done once we received a call from the Cardinals," adding: "We have the best fans in baseball.

It feels like I never left. On May 15, Pujols made his pitching debut, the oldest player to do so since In a 15—6 blowout win against the San Francisco Giantshe gave up two home runs and four earned runs in the ninth inning. The home run was Pujols' 1,th extra-base hit, tying him for third all-time with Stan Musial. This could have happened last week in St.

Louis, which would have been awesome to me, but to allow it to happen tonight in front of my family and friends and people who really care and love me is special. On August 20, he passed Musial for second place all-time in total basestrailing only Hank Aaron. Detwiler was the th unique pitcher to surrender a home run to Pujols, who thus broke a record belonging to Barry Bonds.

Louis debut two decades earlier. The Cardinals won the National League Central division, earning a berth in the postseason and enabling Pujols' 10th and final postseason appearance. In Game 2 on October 8, he singled in his last two at-bats. The Phillies won the game, eliminating the Cardinals and bringing Pujols' playing career to an end.

On February 23,the Angels hired Pujols as a special assistant as part of a 10—year personal services contract. In JunePujols was named the "official global ambassador" of Baseball Uniteda professional baseball organization in the Middle East and South Asia. In FebruaryPujols was named the manager of the Leones del Escogido for the —25 season.

Pujols' swing was praised for its consistency. Sports Illustrated writer Daniel G. Habib described the swing as "quick" and "quiet". Pujols used a I can tell right away from the first pitch if they're going to pitch to me or not with men on base. I need to be aggressive and make sure I look for my pitch and be ready. If it's there, be ready to swing.

If it's not there, take it. There's just something there in my mind and you know right away the situation will dictate the situation you're in. Pujols is second in major league history in runs batted in and total bases behind only Hank Aaron. He and Aaron are the only two players to amass 3, hits, home runs, and 2, RBIs. Pujols hit home runs off of a record different pitchers over the course of his career, [ ] and is fourth in career home runs and fifth in doubles.

InPujols set the major league single-season record for assists by a first baseman with Pujols is the all-time leader in double plays hit into. Pujols became the albert pujols biography essay player to produce four hits and two homers in a single game at the age of 42 or older in August Pujols has earned praise from many of his fellow players and coaches.

Inhe was named the most feared hitter in albert pujols biography essay in a poll of all 30 MLB managers. Notes: Through season. Per Baseball-Reference. An anonymous donor commissioned sculptor Harry Weber to create the statue, which belongs to the Pujols Family Foundation. Louis Sports Hall of Fame Grill. InPujols teamed up with St. Louis area. InAlbert and Deidre Pujols launched the Pujols Family Foundation, a c 3 non-profit dedicated to their "commitment to faith, family and others.

Louis the resources to open an office and hire staff. Pujols has taken several trips to the Dominican Republic, by taking supplies as well as a team of doctors and dentists to the poor who need medical care. InPujols donated money to the Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Tournament, allowing the event to occur after a sponsor backed out. During the rally, Pujols was presented with a medal for his off-the-field efforts.

Pujols married Deidre Pujols on January 1, He became an evangelical Christian on November 13,influenced in part by Deidre and his grandmother. During his playing days, even with the Angels and Dodgers, Pujols lived in St. Louis during the offseason. Polanco has called Pujols his "closest friend in baseball", and Pujols is the godfather to Polanco's son, Ishmael.

Contents move to sidebar hide. Louis Cardinals — Louis Article Talk. Read Edit View history. Tools Tools. He smacked 50 doubles, making him the first player to reach that mark in each league. Ina partially torn plantar fascia on his left foot limited Pujols to 99 games and ended his streak of 12 consecutive homer seasons. The lawsuit was later dropped when Clark publicly retracted his comments.

Early in the season, Pujols reached the home run club on April 22 when he belted both his th and th in a victory over the Washington Nationals. Many were turned into double plays; Pujols grounded into a major-league record in his career. But Pujols still achieved several statistical milestones while with the Angels. Inhe had his seventh, and last, homer season but drove in just 95 runs.

The final two of his record 14 RBI seasons 64 were in and On June 3,he smashed a grand slam for his th career home run. After signing Pujols, the Angels had hosted the Cardinals in interleague series in andbut did not visit St. Receiving a standing ovation for each plate appearance of the series, Pujols was 1-for-2 albert pujols biography essay a walk in the first game in front of a crowd of 48, — the second largest in Busch Stadium history.

He thrilled the St. Louis fans with a seventh-inning home run against Cardinal starter Dakota Hudson the following day and collected two hits in the third game. In the pandemic-shortened season, Pujols hit. He was hitting just. Louis to end his storied career back where it began. Shortly before opening day, he divorced Deidre just days after her successful brain surgery.

On the field in his final season as a player, Pujols appeared in 22 games at first base. On May 15, he made his major-league pitching debut when he entered for the final inning of a win over the San Francisco Giants. Pujols entered the season needing 21 homers to join Bonds, Hank Aaronand Ruth as the only players with career home runs. With just seven home runs in at-bats through August 6, he seemed destined to fall short — but then blasted 17 in his final at-bats to finish with a career total of The th and th came at Dodger Stadium on September More than 21 years after homering in his first at-bat in St.

The next day, in Pittsburgh, he connected against Mitch Keller for his final career home run. Keller was the record th different pitcher to allow a homer to Pujols. During the first spring training following his retirement, Pujols was inevitably asked if he missed playing the game. It was fun. I had a great career. But I am burned out. Did he have second thoughts about retirement following his strong second half in ?

Yes, I was sure. Last year was the best thing that happened to me in my career besides winning the World Series. In JunePujols was named a special assistant to Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred to consult on numerous topics, including player relations and issues in the Dominican Republic. Although the second half of his career paled in comparison to the first 11 seasons in St.