Albert Pujols

Early Life

Albert Pujols was born on January 16, 1980. He was born in Santo Domingo. This is the capital city of the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic is a country in the Caribbean. As a child, Pujols lived with his grandmother. His father was a softball pitcher. Young Albert learned to love baseball by watching his father play.

Growing Up

Life was not easy for young Albert. His family did not have much money. But they had a lot of love for baseball. Albert played baseball every day. He played in the streets. He played in empty lots. He used a lime for a ball when he did not have a real baseball. He used a branch from a tree for a bat.

In 1996, Albert's family moved to New York City. They moved to find a better life. Later, they moved to Independence, Missouri. In Missouri, Albert went to Fort Osage High School. He was very good at baseball in high school. He hit the ball very far. Other teams were afraid to pitch to him.

Starting Baseball

After high school, Pujols went to Maple Woods Community College. He played baseball there. In his first game, he hit a home run! Everyone could see that he was special. He was very strong. He could hit the ball very far. He was also very good at catching the ball.

Becoming a Professional

In 2000, the St. Louis Cardinals picked Pujols in the baseball draft. They did not pick him first. They picked him in the 13th round! This means 401 players were picked before him. This was a big mistake by other teams. The Cardinals gave Pujols $60,000 to sign with them. This was not much money for a baseball player.

First Years in Baseball

Pujols started playing in small leagues. These leagues help players get better before they play in the big leagues. He was so good that he moved up very fast! In 2001, he made the Cardinals' big team. He was only 21 years old.

In his first year, Pujols was amazing:
- He hit 37 home runs
- He had 130 RBIs (This means he helped other players score)
- He hit for a .329 average (This is very good)
- He won Rookie of the Year
- He played in the All-Star Game

The Machine

People started calling Pujols "The Machine." They called him this because:
- He hit the ball very well every year
- He hit many home runs every year
- He played almost every game
- He rarely made mistakes
- He worked very hard

Playing for the Cardinals

Pujols played for the Cardinals from 2001 to 2011. These were amazing years:
- He helped the Cardinals win two World Series (2006, 2011)
- He won three Most Valuable Player awards
- He hit more than 400 home runs
- He was picked for the All-Star team nine times
- He won two Gold Glove awards for his good defense

Moving to California

In 2012, Pujols signed with a new team. He joined the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels gave him a lot of money: $254 million for 10 years! This was one of the biggest contracts in baseball history.

With the Angels, Pujols kept hitting home runs:
- He hit his 500th home run in 2014
- He hit his 600th home run in 2017
- He got his 3,000th hit in 2018
- He played in the All-Star Game again
- He helped young players learn baseball

Back to St. Louis

In 2022, Pujols went back to the Cardinals. The fans were very happy! They loved watching him play. In his last year:
- He hit his 700th home run
- He passed Babe Ruth in RBIs
- He helped the Cardinals make the playoffs
- He played in the All-Star Game
- The fans cheered for him every time he played

Special Records

Pujols has many amazing records:
- He hit 703 home runs (fourth most ever)
- He hit 2,218 RBIs (second most ever)
- He got 3,384 hits
- He played in 11 All-Star Games
- He won three MVP awards

How He Played

Pujols was a special player because:
- He could hit the ball very hard
- He hit many home runs
- He was good at defense
- He worked very hard
- He helped his team win

Life Outside Baseball

Pujols does many good things off the field:
- He has five children
- He helps people with Down syndrome
- He gives money to help poor people
- He builds houses for poor families
- He helps people in the Dominican Republic

The Pujols Family Foundation

In 2005, Pujols started a charity. The charity helps:
- People with Down syndrome
- Poor families
- Children who need doctors
- People in the Dominican Republic
- People who need food and clothes

Special Awards

Pujols won many awards in baseball:
- Three MVP awards
- Two Gold Glove awards
- Six Silver Slugger awards
- Two World Series rings
- Roberto Clemente Award (for helping people)

What Makes Pujols Special

Many things make Pujols a great player:
1. He works very hard
2. He helps other people
3. He is a good example
4. He never gives up
5. He is kind to fans
6. He teaches young players

Life Today

Today, Pujols does not play baseball anymore. He stopped in 2022. But he still:
- Helps people with his charity
- Teaches young players
- Goes to baseball games
- Helps people in the Dominican Republic
- Spends time with his family

Fun Facts About Pujols

Here are some interesting things about Pujols:
- His nickname is "The Machine"
- He wore number 5
- He can speak English and Spanish
- He likes to fish
- He helps build houses
- He is good at golf
- He became an American citizen in 2007
- He likes to cook Dominican food

Words People Use to Describe Pujols

People say Pujols is:
- Strong
- Kind
- Smart
- Hard-working
- Religious
- Helpful
- Professional
- Good to fans
- A great teacher
- A good father

What We Can Learn

We can learn many things from Albert Pujols:
- Work hard every day
- Help other people
- Never give up
- Be kind to everyone
- Practice to get better
- Remember where you came from

His Legacy

Pujols left baseball better than he found it. He showed that:
- You can come from a poor place and do great things
- Helping others is very important
- Working hard helps you win
- Being kind is important
- Family comes first

The End of His Career

In 2022, Pujols played his last baseball game. Many people were sad. But they were also happy because:
- He hit 700 home runs
- He helped many people
- He was a good example
- He played the game the right way
- He made baseball better

Pujols had a special last year. He hit many home runs. The fans cheered for him everywhere he played. Other players showed him respect. He ended his career in a very good way.

Today, many young players want to be like Albert Pujols. They know he is a good example. He shows that you can start poor and become successful. He shows that helping others is as important as playing well. These are the things that made Albert Pujols great.

Reading Comprehension Questions

True or False Questions
1. Albert Pujols was born in New York.
2. As a child, Pujols sometimes used a lime as a baseball.
3. The Cardinals picked Pujols first in the baseball draft.
4. Pujols played for three different baseball teams.
5. Pujols hit more than 700 home runs in his career.
6. Pujols won five MVP awards.
7. Pujols can speak English and Spanish.
8. Pujols became an American citizen in 2007.
9. Pujols stopped playing baseball in 2021.
10. Pujols helps people with Down syndrome.

Multiple Choice Questions
1. Where was Pujols born?
a) Mexico
b) Panama
c) Dominican Republic
d) United States

2. What did people call Pujols?
a) The Robot
b) The Machine
c) The King
d) The Star

3. How much money did the Cardinals first pay Pujols to sign?
a) $6,000
b) $60,000
c) $600,000
d) $6,000,000

4. How many home runs did Pujols hit in his first year?
a) 27
b) 37
c) 47
d) 57

5. What number did Pujols wear?
a) 3
b) 4
c) 5
d) 6

Short Answer Questions
1. Name two ways Pujols helps poor people.
2. What did Pujols use for a bat when he was poor?
3. Which teams did Pujols play for?
4. How many World Series did Pujols win with the Cardinals?
5. What did Pujols start in 2005?

Fill in the Blanks
1. Pujols was born in Santo _______.
2. Pujols' nickname is "The _______".
3. Pujols hit _______ home runs in his career.
4. Pujols played baseball for the Cardinals from 2001 to _______.
5. The Angels gave Pujols $_______ million for 10 years.

Match the Years
Match the year with what happened:
1. 1980
2. 2001
3. 2012
4. 2014
5. 2022

Events:
a) Hit his 500th home run
b) Was born
c) First year with Cardinals
d) Last year playing baseball
e) Joined the Angels

Thinking Questions
1. Why do you think people called Pujols "The Machine"?
2. How did Pujols show he cared about other people?
3. What can we learn from Pujols' life story?
4. Why was Pujols' last year special?
5. How did Pujols help make baseball better?