Albert Pujols Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Albert Pujols was born on January 16, 1980, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Early Life

Albert Pujols spent much of his childhood and teenage years in the Dominican Republic, but he moved to Missouri when he was 16 years old. He lived with his grandmother, instead of his parents, for a majority of his young life.

Education

In the states, Albert Pujols attended the Fort Osage High School. Here, he played baseball. His love of this sport helped him to make many friends and to assimilate well into his new country's culture. After he graduated from the high school in 1999, he went on to attend the Maple Woods Community College. While at the college, he continued to play baseball. It was actually at this school in which he was noticed and drafted to join the St. Louis Cardinals professional baseball team.

Career

Albert Pujols debuted in the 2001 baseball season. Other baseball players were skeptical of how he would do, but he proved them all wrong. He had a magnificent streak and even won several awards in his first season, and in the seasons to come. While playing for the Cardinals, he helped the team to win two World Series (2006 and 2011). He also made many records. He played for the Cardinals for 11 seasons before switching teams.

After leaving the Cardinals’ team, Albert Pujols decided to work as a free-agent. In 2011, he signed on with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He did not play as well as he had for the Cardinals, as he was older now and had suffered several injuries while playing baseball in previous years. 

However, he did still earn awards and help his team make some major wins. As of 2017, he continues to play for this team, and he has signed a ten-year contract with them, so he is likely to stay on the team for years to come.

Awards And Accomplishments

Throughout his impressive baseball career, Albert Pujols has won many awards. Some of his most prestigious awards are listed below.

National League Rookie of the Year (2001)

National League MVP Award (2005, 2008, and 2009)

National League All-Star (2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010)

American League All-Star Award (2015)

Sport’s Illustrated Player of the Decade (2000-2010)

Charitable Works

In the early 2000’s Albert Pujols started The Pujols Family Foundation. This foundation helps children and young adults who have down syndrome. Albert Pujols oldest daughter has down syndrome, which is what encouraged him to start the foundation. The foundation sets up events for people with down syndrome, donates money to housing programs for people with down syndrome and generally helps these people have a good time. This foundation especially works towards helping families in the Dominican Republic, where were are not as many resources for helping people with special needs.

Outside of his charity, he also helps out with other charitable causes. Albert Pujols has signed baseballs for children with special needs, publicly supported stores (like Toys ‘R’ Us) that cater to children with special needs, and unrelated, has supported groups that help to make children and adults live healthier lifestyles. 

Family Life

In 2000, Albert Pujols married Deirdre Corona. Together, the couple has four children: Albert Jr, Ezra, Isabella, and Sophia.