St. Louis Cardinals first basemen Albert Pujols was selected as this year’s winner of the Roberto Clemente award given to the player who combines charitable work with performance on the field.
Pujols was honored for his work with the Pujols Family Foundation, which helps the lives of children and young adults with Down syndrome. The foundation has helped more than 500 families affected by Down syndrome in the St. Louis area, with various programs and fundraising events.
He also supports other organizations and causes, including the Boys & Girls Club of America and the Ronald McDonald House. Pujols has a daughter who was born with Down syndrome, one reason he strives to be a role model for kids.
Clemente was a Hall of Fame right fielder with the Pittsburgh Pirates who died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve back in 1972 while trying to help deliver relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He finished his career with exactly 3,000 hits.