El Hombre

St. Louis is abuzz with frenzy about Albert Pujols' future with the Cardinals.   We all feel the need to choose sides, even though we really have NO IDEA what is taking place in hearts or behind closed doors.  But we pretend to know.  Mozeliak is stingy.  Pujols is greedy.  We pass judgement as though we have inside knowledge of the people and the process. 

My favorite STL sports writer, Bernie Miklasz, weighed in today with an article that's level-headed and worth sharing.  Check it out here.

In the meantime, I intend to defend Albert with some anecdotal evidence.  I was disappointed with Albert during his last round of negotiations, judging him as demanding, arrogant, and not so different afterall.  But I have seen evidence to the contrary in the way he has lived his life over the last 10 years.  I know...most anyone can present well in the public eye, if they want to.  But here's the deal.

I recently began to do some volunteer work for the Pujols Family Foundation.  In addition to charitable work in Albert's homeland, the Dominican Republic, they work locally with families of children with Down's Syndrome.  Many of you know that issue is close to my heart, so when Aunt Riesa left our home, I pursued opportunities there.  All I can tell you is this: 

At their Fall Festival, which was held at the car museum in Chesterfield, they set up a delightful evening of safe entertainment for these children/teens and their parents.  It was well-organized and thoughtful, but simple too.  Not the least bit ostentatious.  It was all about the families and bringing joy to them.  Albert and Diedre showed up with their own children, but you would never have known that a man whose name is a household staple had just entered the room.  He went from station to station with his kids, and blended in like any other parent.  There was no attention given or drawn to HIM.  He was just there.  A parent.  A citizen.  A Christian....doing what Christian citizen parents do in the most ordinary fashion.   That was impressive.  But...this event was sponsored by him and provided a relatively private and protected environment where he couldn't be rushed by crazed fans, so maybe it was safe to show up like a regular Joe.

But again, recently, I observed him in another setting without the safety and privacy of a charitable event.  On Thursday last week, my son and I attended a funeral for the mother of one of his closest friends who lost her long battle with cancer.  One of her younger sons is a classmate and close friend of AJ Pujols, so the Pujols family attended the funeral.  No bodyguards, no attention, no bru-ha-ha.  Nothing.  He was there, again, as a Christian man, father, and friend.  He didn't get escorted in...he didn't rush out when it was over to avoid people.  He walked downstairs to the simple reception and mingled like everyone else did.  And what many people in the larger community don't know, is that for months, Albert had privately funded a cook for the family since the mom was too ill to function in that way.  No public posturing here...no one even knows about it.  I only know because my son spends a lot of time at this family's home.  

Bottom line: Albert is a genuine man and appears to live out privately what he proclaims publicly.  He is not full of himself and greedy.  He is generous.  He is faithful.  He is humble.  

This is why I don't really care anymore how much money he asks for.  Yes, he publicly SAYS that this money isn't his and that it belongs to God...that he is merely a steward.  But his private life demonstrates that he really BELIEVES and PRACTICES that.  I admire The Man.

I hope like crazy he remains a Cardinal for life (and I think he will), but if he doesn't, our city loses more than a sports icon.  We lose a faithful man of God...and THAT would be the bigger loss.