Okay, I don't know if over the years I have done a cranky blog on this matter, so it sure is time I do one. Please remember that really, I am an evangelical. It shows in this entry. And don't you EVER say steroids and Albert to me in the same sentence. Thank you very much.
I heard again last night from sports announcers from Pittsburgh, where the Cardinals plastered the Pirates, about an incident that happened a few weeks ago when the Cardinals were playing the Pirates again in Pittsburgh. A man, a Cards fan by the way, reaching for a ball, fell out of his first row seat---he and his 21 year old son where there to celebrate the young man's birthday. The son has Downs' Syndrome and you can see him sitting in the stands. Again last night, I heard what a wonderful thing it was that Pujols, who has a daughter with Downs Syndrome, left his position immediately when he saw the man had fallen, and not only comforted him, but made sure the man did not move around or in any other way aggravate any neck injury he might have had.
Yes, it was admirable, but what one would expect of a man who walks the Christian walk. Okay, a man who walks a Baptist Christian walk, who uses words to describe his faith that I would not use, but a strong believer. Okay, Pujols is very confident in himself and who is called the best player in baseball, so yes. there may be some arrogance there (:-}) There was a Cards commercial that was made five year ago or so, one of those ten second things, and Pujols turns his head toward the camera slowly and I don't think I have EVER seen a man exemplify pride and confidence than in that commercial.
Okay, my point is that there have just been a time or two over the last six years I have had the inDemand sports package through which I can get just about every Cards game, that anyone has asked Pujols what his real motivation in life is...when he is asked, as I have seen in print articles and on the internet, it is always because his relationship with Christ that calls him to be the best he can be, and that he does the huge amount of philanthropic work he does, is to care for the last and the loss.
Three or so years ago, I did hear Bob Carpenter, a former Cardinals announcer who now is the announcer for the Washington Nationals, interviewing Albert when the Cards were playing the Nationals. Carpenter led him into an opportunity to talk about the "why" of his life--what motivates him, what makes him go. It was this question to which Pujols gave a brief testimony about his faith and then slapped Bob on the knee and said, "but man you know this...you're a brother in Christ." I sat down and wrote a fan letter to Bob saying how much I appreciated him asking this question. There are a couple of sports announcers I really love (okay I really love everyone who announces for the Cards...) but Rick Horton and Bob Carpenter have been favorites, because they are both funny as all get-out, are extremely knowledgeable, and both have that certain something that speaks volumes about their character--the words they used, the examples they give, a sort of grace with which they decide to speak. And both are unmistakable Christians in their public lives.
Could someone, somewhere in a non-religious publication mention this about Albert??? There probably is something written or unwritten about not mentioning this, but it seems like in a world where the media seems to know the most intimate details of celebrities' lives that surely someone might make sure this is said. But then again maybe not.
And I have the game on right now against Pittsburgh, and in the 10th inning, I just saw Albert hit a pinch hit home run, and as always, when he gets a hit, he pointed to heaven with both index fingers, giving the glory to his maker for his own ability, yes, but simply in thanksgiving for the gift of salvation that God has given him...
Apologies for the errors in grammar or typos here, but I just had to say this and say it quickly because I have to go do my nails and get ready for the morning at North Star which I believe will be very interesting...more tomorrow if I can squeeze in blogging...
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