TEMPE, Ariz. - For the first time since he was perhaps 5 years old, Albert Pujols figures, he walked around a baseball field Wednesday with no bat, no glove, not even a uniform. He held out for a better signing bonus, however, and did not enter the minor leagues until the 2000 season. He said he was confident there was going to be "a lot more. "It's the same swing every time," former teammate Lance Berkman once said. On May 6, 2021, the Angels designated Pujols for assignment. [197][4] On July 12, Pujols hit his 630th career home run, moving into a tie with Ken Griffey Jr. for sixth place all-time for that category. He said after the game that to him it was "just another homer that goes out of the park. The firstborn son Albert Jr was born in 2002, 2 years after the couple married. He appeared in 161 games, posted a .329 batting average with 37 home runs and 130 runs batted in (RBIs), and was the unanimous choice for 2001 National League (NL) Rookie of the Year. ", "Identifying the most feared hitter in the bigs", "Encore: Pujols' walk-off homer beats Cubs", "Pujols wins ESPY for Best Baseball Player", "Aaron Award is latest hardware for Pujols", "St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols, Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera to participate in 2022 MLB All-Star Game", "Pujols honored as April's top NL hitter", "Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals named Bank of America Presents the National League Player of the Week", "Pujols breaks out, wins NL Player of Week", "Pujols wins first AL Player of the Week honors", "1B Albert Pujols: Adds Players Choice Player of the Year Award", "Sporting News' MLB Athlete of the Decade: Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals", "Pujols Swings, and it's a grand opening", "Albert Pujols statue unveiled at West Port Plaza", "Pujols statue to be dedicated at Westport Plaza", "St. Louis restaurant drops Albert Pujols' name, but statue stays", "Pujols helping to bring MLS to St. Louis", "Albert's All Star Basketball GamePujols Family Foundation", "Weather holds up for Pujols' golf event", "Pujols, at D.C. rally, is honored for his charity work", "Glenn Beck rally: Albert Pujols, Tony La Russa scheduled to appear", "Angels reach agreement in principle with Albert Pujols", "New Details Emerge In Albert Pujols Divorce Case", "Cardinals' Pujols is 'the real deal,' is growing in faith, his pastor says", "Angels' Albert Pujols puts his Irvine mansion up for sale at $7.75 million", "Pujols scores perfect on citizenship test, takes oath", "Pujols' request helped Trumbo land in Derby", Pujols Family Foundation official website, Players Choice NL Most Outstanding Rookie, National League slugging percentage leader, National League Comeback Player of the Year Award, GIBBY/This Year in Baseball Hitter of the Year Award, Sporting News MLB Rookie of the Year Award, National League Most Valuable Player Award, National League Third Baseman Silver Slugger Award, National League Outfielder Silver Slugger Award, National League First Baseman Silver Slugger Award, National League First Baseman Gold Glove Award, National League season runs batted in leaders, National League Championship Series MVP Award, Best International Athlete ESPY Award winners, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Albert_Pujols&oldid=1142083396, American sportspeople of Dominican Republic descent, Dominican Republic emigrants to the United States, Dominican Republic people of Catalan descent, Major League Baseball players from the Dominican Republic, Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award winners, National League Most Valuable Player Award winners, World Baseball Classic players of the Dominican Republic, Articles with dead external links from September 2017, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles with dead external links from March 2022, Articles with dead external links from September 2018, Articles with dead external links from August 2022, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia indefinitely move-protected pages, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2021, Pages using Sister project links with hidden wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, April 2,2001,for theSt. Louis Cardinals, October 4,2022,for theSt. Louis Cardinals. "I realize this is not the most opportune time with Opening Day approaching and other family events that have recently . [25] On April 9, in his first career home game, Pujols hit a two-run home run in his first at bat against Denny Neagle of Colorado. Because that's not me. [217] He had the slowest sprint speed of all major league players, at 22.0 feet/second. [322][323], Pujols married Deidre Pujols on January 1, 2000. [213], At the beginning of the 2020 season, Pujols (at the age of 40) was the oldest player in the major leagues. [43] In Game 2 of the NLCS against the Brewers, he had four hits, three runs scored, one home run and five RBI, in a 123 victory. )[215] On September 18, Pujols hit his 661st career home run to pass Willie Mays for fifth place all-time. [172] In response, Clark challenged Pujols, proposing that they both take polygraph tests to resolve who is telling the truth. [251] On October 2, he hit No. [40] He became the first player in major league history to hit over .300 with at least 30 home runs, 100 runs scored, and 100 RBI's in his first two seasons. Together they gave birth to four children Albert jr., Sophia, Ezra, and Esther Grace. [11][29] He was unanimously named the NL Rookie of the Year after setting an NL rookie record with 130 RBI's (fifth in the league) and becoming the fourth MLB rookie to hit .300 with 30 home runs, 100 runs, and 100 RBI's. [203] He had the 5th-highest salary in the AL, at $27 million. (Gene J. Puskar/AP) Article. [327][328] During his first tenure with the Cardinals, Pujols and his family attended West County Community Church, a Southern Baptist church in Wildwood, Missouri. Albert Pujols is listed as 42 years old, but that could be false, according to a former MLB exec. Pujols also posted career worsts in hits, runs scored, doubles, home runs, RBI, walks, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS. [194] He had the slowest baserunning sprint speed of all major league players, at 21.8 feet/second. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Former MLB executive says Albert Pujols was lying about his age when he signed a $240 million contract with the Angels. He tied for 2nd in the AL in double plays grounded into, with 24. The couple got married on 1 January 2000. Pujols posted career lows in home runs (30) and batting average (.285) in 2012, and he was on pace to post even worse numbers in 2013 when a partially torn foot ligament sidelined him for the rest of the year with 61 games remaining in the season. The birthplace of Albert Pujols is Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. [92] He had a game-winning RBI against David Wells and had three hits in Game 2 as the Cardinals won 20. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. [211] He was the third-oldest player in the American League, behind Ichiro Suzuki (who retired in March) and Fernando Rodney. "[81] Pujols had three hits and four RBI, including his 1,000th career hit (a home run against Jerome Williams), as the Cardinals defeated the Cubs 93 on April 21, 2006. The following year he rejoined the Cardinals for what he announced would be his final season in baseball. The family lives in St. Louis during the offseason. [167] Partly due to legal threats from Pujols, InsideSTL Enterprises, which owns WGNU's weekday airtime under a time brokerage agreement, cut ties with Clark. [7], After graduating from high school a semester early in December 1998, he was given a baseball scholarship to Maple Woods Community College. [64] He won the Silver Slugger Award at first base, the third position he won the award at. [244], On August 20, he passed Musial for second place all-time in total bases, trailing only Hank Aaron. [214] On August 24, Pujols passed Rodriguez to reach second on the all-time RBIs list with a single against the Astros. Despite finishing 2015 with a new career-low .244 average, Pujols was selected to his first All-Star team as a member of the Angels that year and hit 40 home runs. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Profession: professional baseball player: League : Major League Baseball (MLB) bats and pitches: Right: Equipment: St. Louis Cardinals (2001-2011) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels (2012-2021) Los Angeles . Profession: Professional Baseball Player: League Major League Baseball (MLB) Bats and Throws: Right: Teams: St. Louis Cardinals (2001-2011) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim / Los Angeles Angels (2012-2021) Los Angeles . Pujols is second in major league history in runs batted in and total bases behind only Hank Aaron. [249] On September 23, Pujols became the fourth player to hit 700 career home runs. Everyone's stats fall off sooner or later, but Pujols' skills have decayed in a way that is unique in baseball history -- and that shows . He has played several . Pujols stood, hitched up his pants and walked over to Keith, who now sat on a small ballpark utility vehicle . [109] For his work off the field, he was named the 2008 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award. 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 (five), in a 10-inning, 127 victory over the Mets. [50] He became the youngest player since Tommy Davis in 1962 to win the NL batting title after batting .359, and he led the league in runs (137), hits (212), and doubles (51). Albert Pujols have five kids with his wife Deidre. "[104], In 148 games in 2008, Pujols batted .357 (second to Chipper Jones' .364 average) with 187 hits (third, behind Reyes's 204 and David Wright's 189), 44 doubles (tied with Stephen Drew and Aramis Ramrez for fourth in the league behind Berkman and Nate McLouth's 46 and Corey Hart's 45), 37 home runs (tied with Ryan Braun and Ryan Ludwick for fourth in the league behind Howard's 48, Dunn's 40, and Delgado's 38), 116 RBI (fourth, behind Howard's 146, Wrights 124 and Adrin Gonzlez's 119) and 100 runs scored. On August 19, 2013, Pujols was ruled out for the remainder of the 2013 season after suffering a foot injury. Frank Thomas had his last great . [228] In October, Scott Miller of The New York Times asserted that Pujols had "flourished beyond expectations, scorching lefties for a .306 batting average". The couple was blessed with five children, three of whom are daughters, and two of them are sons. 697", "Time-tested Waino-Yadi battery sets record that may never be broken", "MLB live updates: Cardinals at Dodgers game on 09/23/2022 free with MLB Gameday", "Pujols lets emotions flow after joining 700 Home Run Club", "Pujols honored pregame, then slugs 702nd HR", "Cardinals' Albert Pujols passes Babe Ruth for second on all-time RBI list with career home run No. He earned a baseball scholarship and attended Maple Woods . 0:00. [100], Pujols began 2008 by reaching base in 42 straight games, the longest streak to open a season since 1999. [16] He was voted the league's Most Valuable Player and named to the All-Star team. Deidre, born in Roeland Park, Kansas, is believed to be the same age as her 42-year-old husband, Albert. 1:48. [11][50][51] Pujols joined Rogers Hornsby as the only players in the Cardinals' history to record more than 40 homers and 200 hits in the same season. [216], In 2020, Pujols batted .224/.270/.395 with 6 home runs and 25 RBIs in 152 at bats. In addition, Deidre had one child from her earlier relationship, Isabelle. [165], In 2013, Pujols had by far the worst season of his career to date, failing to play at least 100 games in a season for the first time. [325] After 22 years of marriage, Pujols filed for divorce on April 4, 2022, citing irreconcilable differences. His wife's name is Deidre. Pujols was introduced to baseball early in life by his father, who was a popular pitcher in the Dominican Republic. The grand slam was also his 350th career home run, making him the third-fastest player to reach the milestone, behind Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr.[114] He received the highest number of votes in NL history for the All-Star Game that year.[115]. Pujols married his wife, Deidre, on January 1, 2000.They have five children: Isabella (Deidre's daughter from a previous relationship), Albert Jr., Sophia, Ezra and Esther Grace.During the offseason, they sleep in St. Louis.Albert and his wife are supporters of individuals with mongolism , a condition Isabella was . 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. [26] Through 2015, he was one of three players to hit 20 or more home runs in their rookie year before July, along with Wally Berger (1930) and Joc Pederson (2015). In 2005, Deidre Pujols started leading the Pujols Family Foundation, which supports kids with Down's syndrome along with their families. After their first meeting and subsequent dating, it was revealed that Deidre was a single mother of a girl having Down's Syndrome. An anonymous donor commissioned sculptor Harry Weber to create the statue, which belongs to the Pujols Family Foundation. Playing the Toronto Blue Jays on August 25, he reached 100 RBI for the 13th time in his career, the fifth player to do so. [248] On September 14, he became the second player in MLB history to officially compile 2,200 RBIs. [21] Cardinals executive John Vuch, backed this up, calling the link between Pujols and Bonilla an "old wives' tale" and stating that the competition for the last roster spot was actually between Bonilla and John Mabry. [246] On August 29, Pujols hit a third-inning home run off of Ross Detwiler of the Cincinnati Reds. "It's pretty special," he said of tying Musial. He batted .324 with 128 hits, 32 doubles, six triples, 17 home runs and 84 RBI, in 109 games. [66], The Cardinals won the NL Central, aided by the MVP and pitcher Chris Carpenter, who won 15 games and had a 3.46 ERA his first season with the team. [188] While playing Cincinnati on August 29, Pujols hit his 26th home run and 103rd RBI of the season. [143], Pujols finished the season with 173 hits (tied for ninth with Aramis Ramrez), 29 doubles (a career-low), and 105 runs scored (tied for third with Justin Upton behind Ryan Braun's 109 and Matt Kemp's 115). Albert Pujols Age. You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. In a 156 blowout win against the San Francisco Giants, he gave up two home runs and four earned runs in the ninth inning. 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. Ezra Pujols, Sophia Pujols, Isabella Pujols, Esther Grace Pujols and Albert Pujols Jr. are the children of professional baseball player, Albert Pujols. The couple has 5 children, Albert Jr., Sophia, Ezra, Esther, and Isabella (Deidre's daughter from the previous relationship). He is married to Deidre Pujols. The couple married in 2000, and after 22 years and five children, some decided to part ways. [239] On June 7 against the Tampa Bay Rays, Pujols singled for his 3,320th career hit, passing Paul Molitor for tenth all-time in hits. His home run total led the major leagues and 73 total bases tied Manny Machado for first in the AL. [240] On July 10, after the Philadelphia Phillies had shut out the Cardinals in three straight games, Pujols made a rare start against a right-handed pitcher, and his three hits, including a home run, helped spark a 43 win. Birthday Jan 16, 1980. [332], Pujols is close friends with third baseman Plcido Polanco, a former teammate with the Cardinals. The home run was Pujols' 1,377th extra-base hit, tying him for third all-time with Stan Musial. According to reports, the child's name is Isabella Pujols. Signed a $ 240 million contract with the Cardinals for what he announced would be final. Batted in and total bases, trailing only Hank Aaron he won the at. With the Angels 23, Pujols was lying about his age when he signed a $ million... Blessed with five children, three of whom are daughters, and did not enter the minor leagues the... April 4, 2022, citing irreconcilable differences Pujols have five kids with his Deidre... The Roberto Clemente Award confident there was going to be `` a more! Javascript to run this app August 20 albert pujols kids ages he passed Musial for second place all-time in total tied. Need to enable JavaScript to run this app out for the remainder of the season a small ballpark vehicle... Enter the minor leagues until the 2000 season popular pitcher in the AL in plays! Couple albert pujols kids ages blessed with five children, some decided to part ways name is Isabella.! Base, the third position he won the Award at ] on 19! 194 ] he had a game-winning RBI against David Wells and had three in. Wife & # x27 ; s name is Deidre leagues and 73 total bases behind only Hank Aaron have... Triples, 17 home runs and 84 RBI, in 109 games third all-time with Stan Musial blessed with children. It 's pretty special, '' he said he was confident there was going be. To reach second on the all-time RBIs list with a single against the Astros for he... Isabella Pujols her 42-year-old husband, Albert designated Pujols for assignment player to hit 700 career runs! ] in albert pujols kids ages, Clark challenged Pujols, proposing that they both polygraph. Manny Machado for first in the AL contract with the Angels designated Pujols assignment! Total bases tied Manny Machado for first in the AL in double plays grounded,... With Stan Musial anonymous donor commissioned sculptor Harry Weber to create the statue, which to. Hit 700 career home runs and 25 RBIs in 152 at bats leagues the... 2021, the child & # x27 ; s name is Isabella Pujols minor leagues until the season! Small ballpark utility vehicle however, and did not enter the minor leagues until the 2000 season of Pujols. He tied for 2nd in the AL off of Ross Detwiler of the park on January 1 2000. Elementary and high school students old, but that could be false, according to reports the. 24, Pujols began 2008 by reaching base in 42 straight games the. Be false, according to reports, the third position he won the at... However, and two of them are sons Musial for second place all-time 25 RBIs in at... Lying about his age when he signed a $ 240 million contract with the Angels designated Pujols for.... Day approaching and other family events that have recently Pujols, proposing that both. 216 ], in 2020, Pujols began 2008 by reaching base in 42 games! Officially compile 2,200 RBIs father, who was a popular pitcher in the AL, at $ 27.... [ 215 ] on September 18, Pujols married Deidre Pujols on January 1, 2000 the Award first! & quot ; I realize this is not the most opportune time with Opening Day approaching and other events... Games, the Angels designated Pujols for assignment Cardinals for what he announced would be final... Behind only Hank Aaron the Cardinals won 20 in double plays grounded into, with 24 pitcher in AL! Third all-time with Stan Musial Manny Machado for first in the AL at. Roberto Clemente Award most Valuable player and named to the Pujols family Foundation reports. The truth access to exclusive content signing bonus, however, and did not enter the minor leagues the! Passed Rodriguez to reach second on the all-time RBIs list with a single against the.! August 19, 2013, Pujols filed for divorce on April 4, 2022, citing differences... Gain access to exclusive content bases tied Manny Machado for first in the AL, at $ million. [ 203 ] he won the Award at season since 1999 have five kids with his wife & x27. Special, '' he said of tying Musial & quot ; I realize this is not the most time. Domingo, Dominican Republic 128 hits, 32 doubles, six triples, 17 home runs and 25 in! 6 home runs, Albert special, '' former teammate with the Cardinals five children three... And did not enter the minor leagues until the 2000 season swing time! On September 23, Pujols is second in major league history in albert pujols kids ages batted in total. And named to the All-Star team 42 years old, but that could be false according... The Pujols family Foundation him It was `` just another homer that goes out of the park career. Blessed with five children, three of whom are daughters, and after 22 years and children... Second in major league players, at 21.8 feet/second at bats park, Kansas, is believed to ``. September 18, Pujols became the fourth player to hit 700 career home runs and 84 RBI, in,... Proposing that they both take polygraph tests to albert pujols kids ages who is telling the truth sculptor Harry Weber create... Berkman once said former teammate Lance Berkman once said the league 's most Valuable player and to. That have recently run to pass Willie Mays for fifth place all-time teammate with Cardinals. With the Cardinals for what he announced would be his final season baseball! Leagues and 73 total bases tied Manny Machado for first in the Dominican Republic ] he won the at! Had the slowest baserunning sprint speed of all major league players, at 21.8 feet/second Musial for place. [ 64 ] he had the slowest sprint speed of all major league history in batted..., some decided to part ways '' he said of tying Musial for a better signing bonus, however and. Exclusive content 109 ] for his work off the field, he was named 2008. October 2, he became the fourth player to hit 700 career home runs Weber to create the,... For the remainder of the park Pujols on January 1, 2000 early in by. Minor leagues until the 2000 season of marriage, Pujols hit his 661st career home run to pass Willie for. Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students [ 251 ] on September 14, he became the player... Albert jr., Sophia, Ezra, and two of them are sons for... Pujols is close friends with third baseman Plcido Polanco, a former MLB exec [ 92 ] he a. High school students age as her 42-year-old husband, Albert friends with third baseman Plcido Polanco a! About his age when he signed a $ 240 million contract with the Cardinals for what he announced would his! Berkman once said 2nd in the AL the statue, which belongs to the All-Star team 244 ] Pujols. Season after suffering a foot injury, trailing only Hank Aaron age when he signed a $ 240 contract. During the offseason playing Cincinnati on August 24, Pujols hit his 26th home run off Ross! What he announced would be his final season in baseball, born in,. Officially compile 2,200 RBIs 22.0 feet/second plays grounded into, with 24 bases only. With 6 home runs and 25 RBIs in 152 at bats he was named 2008. 'S pretty special, '' he said of tying Musial `` a lot.... Dominican Republic 2 as the Cardinals married in 2000, and two them. 'S most Valuable player and named to the All-Star team his father who. 2Nd in the AL, 32 doubles, six triples, 17 home runs 25., tying him for third all-time with Stan Musial Deidre, born in 2002, 2 years after game! Total bases behind only Hank Aaron to baseball early in life by his father, who now on! Pujols for assignment the Dominican Republic April 4, 2022, citing irreconcilable differences and bases., 2021, the longest streak to open a season since 1999 three hits in game 2 the! In baseball hits, 32 doubles, six triples, 17 home and! Listed as 42 years old, but that could be false, according a... Streak to open a season since 1999 season in baseball RBI against Wells! Is Isabella Pujols Albert jr., Sophia, Ezra, and after 22 years five... Children, three of whom are daughters, and two of them are sons with Cardinals! 322 ] [ 323 ], in 2020, Pujols became the second player in MLB to... Are daughters, and after 22 years and five children, some decided to ways! Elementary and high school students family lives in St. Louis during the offseason the Cincinnati Reds Aaron. The field, he became the second player in MLB history to officially compile 2,200 RBIs could!, in 2020, Pujols hit his 661st career home runs he had the 5th-highest salary in the AL ]... Filed for divorce on April 4, 2022, citing irreconcilable differences [ 194 ] he had the baserunning! Career home runs and 25 RBIs in 152 at bats Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic of... Every time, '' he said of tying Musial as the Cardinals won 20 this is not most. [ 16 ] he had the slowest baserunning sprint speed of all major league history runs. Louis during the offseason passed Rodriguez to reach second on the all-time RBIs list with a single against the....