Pujols

[NB_LONGHORN]

As a lifelong Astros fan, I am admittedly a little biased toward Albert Pujols and the Cards. I watched a piece on 60 minutes tonight that covered his life and came away with a different outlook. If all that was reported is true, then that guy should held up as an example of what sports heroes should be. He definitely made a fan out of me tonight. Also nice to see Berkman on 60 minutes.

 

[accuratehorn]

I saw the story, and didn't realize how good that guy has been over a ten-year career. And he does sound like a real rarity among superstars, a good guy who isn't a cheater (if it is even possible).

 

[Chest Rockwell]

I watched that piece on 60 Minutes and have a new-found respect for Pujols. He was already one of the greatest players I've ever seen play, but to learn how he's given back was pretty sweet - and unfortunately uncommon in too many players of his stature.

 

[Joe Fan]

Hard to believe he was not drafted until the 13th round (1999 -- 401st pick). That was the Josh Hamilton overall No. 1 draft. In high school (in Missouri) they did not pitch to him that often. He walked alot. And i have heard that that most scouts only considered him a "fat third baseman" at the time. Did they cover this part of the story on CBS?

 

[accuratehorn]

They showed that when he fell to the 19th round, he cried. He married early, and could not pay the bills on his $250 every two weeks minor league salary. They almost had tofile bankruptcy, but Pujols kept telling his wife he wanted to wait and see how the baseball career worked out.
I think the story showed he made the big leagues after one minor league year (?).
He really does give his time and money to those less fortunate, including showing up at a hospital where he had read a young boy had a brain tumor operation. Pujols arrived (without reporters) with his bat he had just hit his 400th homer with, and signed it and gave it to the boy.