Bio
Arguably, the most accomplished professional athlete ever to come out of Region 16, the Dominican born, Kansas City area high school player, Albert Pujols is one of the greatest NJCAA athletes of all time. After graduating early from Fort Osage High School, Albert Pujols played the spring season for the MCC- Maple Woods Monarchs under Coach Marty Kilgore.
During his season at MCC-Maple Woods Albert was named an NJCAA All-American as his team won the Region 16 Championship. His 1999 statistics were as follows: 56 games played, 193 at bats, .466 batting average, 45 singles, 18 doubles, 5 triples, 22 home runs and 76 RBI. This was only the beginning of a magnificent hitting career as he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 13th round.
As a St. Louis Cardinal, Pujols quickly ascended the ranks and made the big league club after only one season in the minor leagues. Pujols was named 2001 National League Rookie of the Year. Shortly after his rookie season, he started compiling more awards and records. The St. Louis Cardinals won the pennant three times and the World Series in 2006 and 2011 with Pujols in the line-up. During his tenure with the Cardinals, Pujols was named to the All-Star game nine times, National League Silver Slugger six times and National League MVP 2005, 2008, 2009. He was also named the Major League Baseball Player of the Year and National League Outstanding Player in 2003,2008, 2009. Pujols was the first player in baseball history to boast a batting average above .300, hit 30+ home runs, drive in 100+ RBI and score over 100 runs in each of his first five major league seasons.
Pujols signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Angels, the season after winning a second World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011. He and his family now reside in California.
He started the Pujols Family Foundation in 2005, which is dedicated to the love, care and development of people with Down Syndrome. He also continually reaches out to impoverished families in his native, Dominican Repu