ALBERT PUJOIS! HALL OF FAMER ON AND OFF THE FIELD!
by: Ismael Nunez
With February around the corner Afro-American history is celebrated: At the same time there’s Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, there’s also Dominican Heritage Month! And no person can better represent the Dominican Republic and people with disabilities than baseball player and future Hall of Famer, ALBERT PUJOIS!
Pujois’s accomplishments on the field are outstanding! According to Wikipedia here are a list of his accomplishments.
- 10× All-Star (2001, 2003–2010, 2015)
- 2× World Series champion (2006, 2011)
- 3× NL MVP (2005, 2008, 2009)
- NL Rookie of the Year (2001)
- NLCS MVP (2004)
- 2× Gold Glove Award (2006, 2010)
- 6× Silver Slugger Award (2001, 2003, 2004, 2008–2010)
- 2× Hank Aaron Award (2003, 2009)
- Roberto Clemente Award (2008)
- NL batting champion (2003)
- 2× NL home run leader (2009, 2010)
- NL RBI leader (2010)
Yet his biggest accomplishment is his contribution to people with disabilities by his creation of
THE PUJOLS FAMILY FOUNDATION.
IF one were to look at their website: THE PUJOLS FAMILY FOUNDATION is a national not-for-profit agency that exists to honor God and strengthen families through their works, deeds and examples. Since beginning this foundation in 2005, they have sought to help those living with Down Syndrome here at home and to improve the lives of the impoverished in the Dominican Republic.
For Pujois it’s a personal mission: his daughter has Down Syndrome. The creation of this organization is a way of giving back to the community, reminding everyone he’s not just a fine athlete yet a person who cares about people and his family. As he says on the website: “Since this is so close to their hearts, this Foundation is dedicated to the love, care and development of people with Down Syndrome and their families.” To add it reminds him of his family, friends, and his home country the Dominican Republic. Going back to his website he states proudly “We obviously care greatly about people and families who live with Down Syndrome, as well as those impoverished families I left behind in the Dominican Republic!”
If one wants to go to the website, use the link below:
