"Pujols: More Than The Game" by Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth

Albert Pujols caught my eye, along with attention from the rest of the world, even from his rookie season in 2001. Living in the TV market of the St. Louis Cardinals, I heard plenty about this unheralded newcomer and saw for myself that he had potential to become a force for the Redbirds.

 

No one knew then that within a decade he'd be heralded as the league's best player. Maybe the best to ever play the game of baseball.

 

But Albert's perspective on life goes far beyond the accomplishments at the ballpark. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Albert says, “You know how I want people to remember me? I don't want to be remembered as the best baseball player ever. I want to be remembered as a great guy who loved the Lord, loved to serve the community and who gave back.”

 

Pujols was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, immigrating to the United States when he was 16. Lamb & Ellsworth chronicle the journey from his sobering childhood all the way through the end of the 2010 MLB season. They share how his faith has grown from the young adult who accepted Christ as his Savior to the man who witnesses during ballgames and leads missions trips to his native country. He and his wife Dee Dee are the force behind the Pujols Family Foundation, which is dedicated to helping families of Down Syndrome children and adults, as well as reaching into the Dominican Republic to help with medical needs and the sharing of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Baseball nuts will love all the statistics included within the book. I love baseball but I found myself a little bogged down here and there when every at-bat of certain games were detailed. Or when they would tell us something like “in the second month of the season Pujols was tied for the home run lead”. In a 162-game season that was seven years ago, why does that stat matter? But once you get past those technical points and get to the real meat of the matter, which as Albert himself would say is his faith and his testimony, that's where this story becomes deep and compelling.

 

In a world where not many can be looked up to as heroes, I believe Albert Pujols stands head and shoulders above the crowd. His love for the Lord and for his family is inspiring. The fact that he actively tries to glorify God in everything he does makes him someone I admire. He is not perfect, but he seeks the better path: to humbly serve those around him. Well done, Albert. May God grant him strength and wisdom as he lives the rest of his life story!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”