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Pujols Revised & Updated: More Than the Game
After a decade starring for the St. Louis Cardinals, Albert Pujols is already compared with names in the highest reaches of baseball’s Ruth, Gehrig, Aaron, Mays. Slugging his way toward the Hall of Fame, Pujols has raised the game’s standard for greatness beyond any statistical measure. But the standard by which Pujols measures himself has less to do with baseball performance than with honoring God and exemplifying his faith for the millions who follow him. From his birthplace in the Dominican Republic to his high-school days in Kansas City, from a single season in the minor leagues to the World Series and nine All-Star Games, Pujols has developed his immense talents on the baseball diamond, all the while focusing his direction—and the direction of his family—with the belief that a higher power is behind every achievement. Authors Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth spare no tale of this growing baseball legend, all the while accentuating “the unseen hand of divine providence” that has shaped the man Albert Pujols has become. It’s a story that will inspire, and a reminder of the human quality behind superhuman achievement. A story—still in the making—of allowing God’s strength to guide one man’s path to be the best his game has ever seen. His numbers are staggering. In 2010 Albert Pujols became the first player in baseball history to bat .300 with 30 home runs and 100 runs batted in for ten consecutive seasons. Babe Ruth didn’t do it. Ted Williams didn’t do it. Hank Aaron didn’t do it. The fact that this was accomplished in Pujols’ first ten seasons only makes the achievement more, well, Ruthian. Albert Pujols’ story goes beyond numbers, though. Beyond the bright lights and packed stadiums of Major League Baseball. Even beyond the adulation of millions who have come to see the St. Louis Cardinal star as the rare “once-in-a-lifetime-player” who transcends team loyalties. Through the 2010 season, Pujols hit 408 home runs. And every time he touched home plate after sending another baseball to a random bookshelf or trophy case, Pujols pointed heavenward. Toward the strength behind his otherworldly talents, toward the inspiration that lifts him on a daily basis, regardless of his team’s place in the standings. For Jesus Christ is Albert Pujols’ first love. Faith, family, then maybe baseball. “He matches in his personal life the excellence that he demonstrates on the diamond. You will love this book and will love Pujols if you don’t already.” —Mike Huckabee , 44th Governor of Arkansas, Former Republican presidential candidate, Host of Fox News ’ Huckabee Show, Best-selling author But Pujols’ argument for greatest player ever isn’t nearly as interesting or significant as the fact that there even is an argument. That’s because perhaps the most amazing thing about Albert Pujols is that less than two years before he began one of the greatest rookie seasons in baseball history, he was a non-prospect." -Joe Posnanski, Senior Writer at Sports Illustrated (included in the Foreword) " Pujols is full of nuggets. Given that the action in the famous poem "Casey at the Bat" starts with “Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,” I enjoyed reading that Albert Pujols asks opposing runners at first base, “If you died today, where do you think you’re going to go?” Lamb and Ellsworth lucidly describe both the season-by-season baseball exploits of Pujols and the impact he’s having on some lives for eternity." -Marvin Olasky, Editor-in-chief, World
288 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 17, 2014
This book has something in it for everyone. That's not altogether a good thing. Its intentions are very good, but unfortunately there are too many intentions and they don't mesh well. I believe I understand the structure as this: every other chapter is an account of a season in Pujols' career, up through 2010. Lamb liberally doles out the stats, which should please any die-hard baseball fan with a photographic memory for stats (I personally know plenty of such types). He gives highlights from each season, usually coming to one climactic moment. The off chapters are about Pujols the man. And my gosh is it ever hero worship. Don't get me wrong--Pujols is probably the most stand-up guy to ever play the game. I don't doubt for a second that he's everything he claims to be. His work with the Pujols Foundation and with people with Down Syndrome and other special needs places him above reproach in many, many regards. I am sure he is a strong, die-hard Christian and that he witnesses to every baserunner as Lamb and Ellsworth claim. All of this is fine. However, I would have liked a more objective approach. What we seem to have here is the "Christian's guide to serving God and witnessing to others as represented by Albert Pujols," and Pujols puts such incredible pressure on himself to "walk the walk" that I feel worn out by his "example." I'm bothered by testimonies that focus on a person and his or her own works of righteousness rather than God and His goodness. This book is sort of a tract--"witness the Albert Pujols way"--and all we get is example after example of how righteous Albert is by his works. If that inspires you, that's great. It depresses me. This kind of thing doesn't talk about how good God is; it's about how good Albert is to God. And sometimes he is so devoutly religious in action that he doesn't relate well to people, and he says something like, "At the end of the day, it's what God thinks that counts." So that absolves him to be a jerk for Jesus, I guess. Please don't get me wrong, I think Albert's incredible. He's a great leader for his team, he lives a clean life, he is extremely generous with his time, money, and resources. He's probably the greatest baseball player of all time, yet he puts his faith above his talent. I just get depressed by testimonies about Christians who seem to be working to earn their salvation. It doesn't work for me anymore. And it really doesn't work to juxtapose it against all of Albert's stats. This should be two separate books. Give us the story of his career in one volume and then the worship of Albert as a perfect Christian in another volume. I know, I know--nobody's perfect, only God is perfect, as Albert and the authors here would say. But the message conveyed here is that Albert is the standard by which God will judge the rest of us, and I don't like that.
Other aspects of this book that are uneven is that it seems like the authors have scores to settle on his account. It IS a good thing to defend him against the steroid allegations, but in that particular chapter, we get rather a sermon than a well-reasoned argument, and they had way too many points of contention. One or two would suffice, but we get reasons like, "Do you honestly believe Albert would swear before God that he doesn't take steroids?" I'm paraphrasing, but that's the gist. Let's just let the facts speak for themselves--the man has NEVER taken PEDs, and considering his incredible career and stats, that's witness enough of God's hand at work in his life. We also get an entire chapter that advertises for the Pujols Foundation. Again, don't get me wrong, an extremely worthy organization that's doing awesome things for people with special needs, but it doesn't fit with the rest of the book. What was this book intending to accomplish? At times, it's baseball storytelling. At others, it's an altar call. And then we seem to be taking up a collection for the Pujols Foundation. My problem, you understand, is with the book, not with the man. I would have appreciated more objectivity. Someday someone will write the book. This one feels as if Pujols himself reviewed every chapter, telling the boys what was okay and what wasn't (he didn't, but he might as well have).
I WILL gladly say this--as a result of reading this book, I no longer hold it against Albert for leaving St. Louis. Yes, we Cards fans felt he belonged to us, but he clearly doesn't. I'm saying this with sincerity: he belongs to God, and I know God will somehow use him to affect the Anaheim community the way he has affected St. Louis. Albert's mission is bigger than baseball, although good gosh he's good. It's hard to imagine a player as great as him being able to see a larger picture, but he does, so we Cards fans have to let it go. I wish him well. I hope his career continues as it has thus far (I know last year was a disappointing season for him, but I'm sure it was a fluke). I do believe he's the greatest to ever play the game, and we were privileged to have him in STL for as long as we did.
Other aspects of this book that are uneven is that it seems like the authors have scores to settle on his account. It IS a good thing to defend him against the steroid allegations, but in that particular chapter, we get rather a sermon than a well-reasoned argument, and they had way too many points of contention. One or two would suffice, but we get reasons like, "Do you honestly believe Albert would swear before God that he doesn't take steroids?" I'm paraphrasing, but that's the gist. Let's just let the facts speak for themselves--the man has NEVER taken PEDs, and considering his incredible career and stats, that's witness enough of God's hand at work in his life. We also get an entire chapter that advertises for the Pujols Foundation. Again, don't get me wrong, an extremely worthy organization that's doing awesome things for people with special needs, but it doesn't fit with the rest of the book. What was this book intending to accomplish? At times, it's baseball storytelling. At others, it's an altar call. And then we seem to be taking up a collection for the Pujols Foundation. My problem, you understand, is with the book, not with the man. I would have appreciated more objectivity. Someday someone will write the book. This one feels as if Pujols himself reviewed every chapter, telling the boys what was okay and what wasn't (he didn't, but he might as well have).
I WILL gladly say this--as a result of reading this book, I no longer hold it against Albert for leaving St. Louis. Yes, we Cards fans felt he belonged to us, but he clearly doesn't. I'm saying this with sincerity: he belongs to God, and I know God will somehow use him to affect the Anaheim community the way he has affected St. Louis. Albert's mission is bigger than baseball, although good gosh he's good. It's hard to imagine a player as great as him being able to see a larger picture, but he does, so we Cards fans have to let it go. I wish him well. I hope his career continues as it has thus far (I know last year was a disappointing season for him, but I'm sure it was a fluke). I do believe he's the greatest to ever play the game, and we were privileged to have him in STL for as long as we did.
July 2, 2021
Have you ever heard of a superstar athlete who is more focused on their overall life’s purpose and journey to heaven - a man who truly is “More than the Game” - rather than just concerned with their sporting accomplishments than Albert Pujols? I welcome you to grab this 2012 biography of “El Hombre” and cherish his incredible witness to God through his charitable foundation and relationships with his teammates, opponents and fans.
A quick though significant side note: through Pujols own statements in 2018 and an analysis of the second half of his statistical career, it is safe to say that Albert was likely born in 1977 or 1978, rather than 1980. This nearly-completely shattered my interpretation of his high school career and dramatic ascent to the majors at the previously-stated age of 21. In any case, his first 10 years in the major leagues still represent the greatest start to any professional ballplayer’s career.
For both Christians and non-denominational persons, prepare yourself for a good dose of faith in this book, as it also marks the foundation of Pujols’ life. As a frequent reader of sporting biographies, I found the theme of this book unique but valid based on Albert’s devotion to God and inclusion of his faith in all aspects of his game. Though a second biography is necessary in the near future, this work holds it weight, especially for those who enjoy reading about specific games on a season-by-season basis.
A quick though significant side note: through Pujols own statements in 2018 and an analysis of the second half of his statistical career, it is safe to say that Albert was likely born in 1977 or 1978, rather than 1980. This nearly-completely shattered my interpretation of his high school career and dramatic ascent to the majors at the previously-stated age of 21. In any case, his first 10 years in the major leagues still represent the greatest start to any professional ballplayer’s career.
For both Christians and non-denominational persons, prepare yourself for a good dose of faith in this book, as it also marks the foundation of Pujols’ life. As a frequent reader of sporting biographies, I found the theme of this book unique but valid based on Albert’s devotion to God and inclusion of his faith in all aspects of his game. Though a second biography is necessary in the near future, this work holds it weight, especially for those who enjoy reading about specific games on a season-by-season basis.
May 28, 2013
Pujols: More than the Game was was written by Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth. Albert Pujols was born in the Dominican Republic. He was raised by a father who always played baseball and even played softball when he was older, so he gained a love for baseball. He didn’t have the best childhood, because his family didn’t have too much money so he had to sleep on the streets for a while. Also, after every softball game his dad would go and get drunk so Albert would have to pretty much drag him home. When he was a teenager he and his family moved to America. He played baseball for Fort Osage High School in Kansas City, Missouri. He went on to play baseball for West Arkansas Community College. He now plays in the majors. He played With the St. Louis Cardinals from 2001-2011. But, for the last 2 years he’s been playing for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Throughout all of the moves he’s made and the teams he’s played for he’s done some pretty cool and amazing things, on and off the field. Whether it’s from his amazing stats or just helping some people out, he does his best wherever he is.
This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I liked this book, because it’s about baseball and God, both of which I really love. I’ve always liked Albert Pujols as a player, but now I like him even more as a person also. It was cool to get to more about his background and also more about his life right now. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who either loves baseball or God, or if you love them both like me, you will absolutely enjoy it. Also, if you just like Albert Pujols or want to know more about, because this is definitely the book for that. "I try to spend as much time as possible with God and my family. That's more important than anything I'm doing in baseball." Page 131 Lamb, Scott, and Tim Ellsworth. Pujols: More than the Game. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2011. Print.
This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I liked this book, because it’s about baseball and God, both of which I really love. I’ve always liked Albert Pujols as a player, but now I like him even more as a person also. It was cool to get to more about his background and also more about his life right now. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who either loves baseball or God, or if you love them both like me, you will absolutely enjoy it. Also, if you just like Albert Pujols or want to know more about, because this is definitely the book for that. "I try to spend as much time as possible with God and my family. That's more important than anything I'm doing in baseball." Page 131 Lamb, Scott, and Tim Ellsworth. Pujols: More than the Game. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2011. Print.
March 5, 2012
Albert Pujols: More than the Game is written by Stott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth. The author's purpose for this book is to tell about the life of Albert Pujols and how Albert accepted Christ as his Savior. His point of view was receiving information from Albert, himself and what reporters and other analysts think of him and how Albert puts the Bible before anything else.
The theme of Albert Pujols: More than the game was all about baseball and Christ. The topic was to encourage readers, like me, to accept Christ as my Savior and put him into everything I do, as in baseball.
The style that this book was written in was a "narration." A narration is the telling of a story through a series of events that describes what happened, usually in chronological order. From the time Albert was in the Dominican Republic all the way to the year 2010. This does not tell about the 2011 season where the Cardinals won the World Series. Yes, this book is very effective.
My opinion of this book is a good opinion. What I like about it was the mentioning of baseball, telling a story about my favorite baseball player, right now, and how it mentions the word God in almost every paragraph. I did not dislike anything about it, I loved everything about it. I would not change a thing. This book is nothing like I have read before. I would want other people to read this book. I am not mentioning anything in particular, because I do not want to spoil the book, for other readers. I rate this book a 5/5
The theme of Albert Pujols: More than the game was all about baseball and Christ. The topic was to encourage readers, like me, to accept Christ as my Savior and put him into everything I do, as in baseball.
The style that this book was written in was a "narration." A narration is the telling of a story through a series of events that describes what happened, usually in chronological order. From the time Albert was in the Dominican Republic all the way to the year 2010. This does not tell about the 2011 season where the Cardinals won the World Series. Yes, this book is very effective.
My opinion of this book is a good opinion. What I like about it was the mentioning of baseball, telling a story about my favorite baseball player, right now, and how it mentions the word God in almost every paragraph. I did not dislike anything about it, I loved everything about it. I would not change a thing. This book is nothing like I have read before. I would want other people to read this book. I am not mentioning anything in particular, because I do not want to spoil the book, for other readers. I rate this book a 5/5
May 21, 2018
I love Albert, but this book was pure propaganda. I loved to learn of his story, but this book was over the top. I thought for a minute it was written by his mom. I'm sure this was for his free agency for everyone to see how great of a guy he is. And the Angels read it and bought it. Still love him and his story.
May 29, 2011
GREAT baseball story with so lmany statistics. But better yet is Albert's personal testimony of his faith in Jesus! Highly recommend it.
February 27, 2024
Pujols; More than just a game
“Pujols; More than just a Game” by Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth is about Albert Pulojs an American Professional baseball player who has had 21 seasons at the biggest stage that there is. Pulojs started his career in the Dominican Republic. While his dad played on a Dominican team as a pitcher, little Albert followed along to every one of his games. While he was in the MLB draft his name was not called until the 13th round of the 1999 draft. When the 13th pick was called upon the selection went to the St. Louis Cardinals. A National League Central Division team.
While Pujols was in the MLB he posted a .296 BA(batting average), 3,384 hits, 703 home runs, and 2,218 RBIs (runs batted in). Needless to say, he was a beast when he played for the St. Louis Cardinals even though he didn't stay loyal to them and stayed there throughout his entire career. From 2001-2011 he played for the Cardinals, in 2012 he signed with the Los Angeles Angels. After his eleven-year stint with the Angels, he entered free agency, while in free agency he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2021 season for a one-year contract. Once the one-year contract ended he resigned with the Los Angeles Angels for a one-year contract where he ended his career. But before he ended he went out in fashion, making it into the 700 home run club, something only three other players were able to accomplish.
Pujols is one of the best players in the MLB, he made a name for himself from the ground up and didn’t care what other people thought of him. The book went into great detail about his personal life that he didn’t usually share. While I was reading the book, I felt a connection to his younger years while playing the game that he loved. He was criticized for many years with people telling him he would never be able to make it in life. Yet he proved to so many people that you can come from pretty much nothing and make it to the most successful stage in life. The book went into detail about his religious life and showed other Christian baseball players that you can put most of your game into the faith that you believe in. He was not always a Christian, so while he was finding his faith in Christ it showed to many people that you don't need to be born a Christian if you want to pursue the faith of Jesus himself. I would give this book a four out of five stars, for a rating. The book was very detailed about the life of a major league baseball player before they made it to the show, something you don't hear of often.
“Pujols; More than just a Game” by Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth is about Albert Pulojs an American Professional baseball player who has had 21 seasons at the biggest stage that there is. Pulojs started his career in the Dominican Republic. While his dad played on a Dominican team as a pitcher, little Albert followed along to every one of his games. While he was in the MLB draft his name was not called until the 13th round of the 1999 draft. When the 13th pick was called upon the selection went to the St. Louis Cardinals. A National League Central Division team.
While Pujols was in the MLB he posted a .296 BA(batting average), 3,384 hits, 703 home runs, and 2,218 RBIs (runs batted in). Needless to say, he was a beast when he played for the St. Louis Cardinals even though he didn't stay loyal to them and stayed there throughout his entire career. From 2001-2011 he played for the Cardinals, in 2012 he signed with the Los Angeles Angels. After his eleven-year stint with the Angels, he entered free agency, while in free agency he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2021 season for a one-year contract. Once the one-year contract ended he resigned with the Los Angeles Angels for a one-year contract where he ended his career. But before he ended he went out in fashion, making it into the 700 home run club, something only three other players were able to accomplish.
Pujols is one of the best players in the MLB, he made a name for himself from the ground up and didn’t care what other people thought of him. The book went into great detail about his personal life that he didn’t usually share. While I was reading the book, I felt a connection to his younger years while playing the game that he loved. He was criticized for many years with people telling him he would never be able to make it in life. Yet he proved to so many people that you can come from pretty much nothing and make it to the most successful stage in life. The book went into detail about his religious life and showed other Christian baseball players that you can put most of your game into the faith that you believe in. He was not always a Christian, so while he was finding his faith in Christ it showed to many people that you don't need to be born a Christian if you want to pursue the faith of Jesus himself. I would give this book a four out of five stars, for a rating. The book was very detailed about the life of a major league baseball player before they made it to the show, something you don't hear of often.
October 19, 2025
It was okay, with each chapter talking about a year in the baseball career of Albert Pujols. I forget just how insane his stats were for about 10-12 years before he started slumping with the Angels. Although the book shows him an Angels hat on, this was a new updated cover and the book only has about two pages of him as an Angel and no game information as the book was written in 2012. I loved reading about his seasons, but the playoff information -- especially in 2006 and 2011 feels rushed and not enough is written. I would have had separate chapters on those years' postseasons. After each chapter on his season, there is a smaller chapter on his faith and the book just got too religious for me. There is also a chapter where the author defends Pujols and not using steroids, listing 20 reasons why he didn't take steroids. This is a very poorly written chapter as it's repetitive and the 20 reasons are really like...four. Your father, your wife, your brother also being disappointed in you if you used steroids is just one category. Family. I look forward to maybe reading a better book on Pujols that will feature his entire career that includes his time with the Angels and Dodgers, as well as his second tenure with the Cardinals.
April 8, 2024
Growing up, Albert Pujols was one of the biggest superstars in baseball. We all know about his incredible accolades and statistics, but this book does a great job looking into his off the field relationship with his religion. He is a devoted Christian, which really drives him to be successful in many different aspects. It was unique to see how big of an impact that God and faith had on Pujols throughout his life and career. The book is organized into chronological chapters, following Pujols throughout his early career with the St. Louis Cardinals. Overall, this was a good read- not amazing, not bad, but good. It was a little repetitive throughout (re-reciting stats, similar religious quotes, etc)- if you are a Pujols (or St Louis Cardinals/MLB) fan, check this out! - Joseph F
NOTE: this book was published in 2010, so it does not cover the Cardinals’ 2011 World Series, Pujols leaving for the Anaheim Angels in free agency, and his pursuit of 700 homeruns.
NOTE: this book was published in 2010, so it does not cover the Cardinals’ 2011 World Series, Pujols leaving for the Anaheim Angels in free agency, and his pursuit of 700 homeruns.
March 9, 2025
If you are a Pujols or Cardinals fan, or are a Shiite Catholic, you may enjoy this book. My issues with the book, are the authors pushing religion, and not being very good authors, not very interesting, too many statistics. I read other sports books that were much more interesting and more well-written. I do commend Albert Pujols for being such a great athlete, team leader, good family man, and giving back to society. he is one of the athletes that seems like a good role model for young athletes along with Derek Jeter, Anthony Rizzo, and many others. like any of us, athletes are not perfect, and are held to extremely high standard by so many people that want to tear them down, but many of them are good people and give them much of their time and money to helping others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2022
This was a Fun reading and listening Pujols: More Than the Game and Congratulations to Albert Pujols on finishing his baseball career in 2022 with the St. Louis Cardinals and I hope someday we get an entire biography on Albert Pujols from start to finishing his career as St. Louis Cardinals player and future St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Framer wearing a Cardinals Hall of Famer red jacket and seeing him each year on Opening Day in St. Louis.
September 14, 2024
I may not be a Cardinals fan, but I've long admired Pujols as a player. He's very fun to watch. It was interesting to hear about how he got started in baseball and a more in-depth look at his career. I especially love his passion for Christ and how he's been able to use his platform to glorify God. And just like all Christians, he struggles with always portraying a Christ-like attitude, but he seems to be sincere in his Christianity, which is refreshing.
August 26, 2018
I’ll just say this: He ministers to runners when they get to 1st base. He’s a man after God’s heart; really inspiring but the book was Written a bit too early in his career.
May 4, 2018
I felt like I can connect to this book greatly. I believe this because both Albert Pujols and I are both very religious and I feel like throughout the book it showed Alberts life with playing baseball and his life with god. I feel like this book was very worth reading for many reasons. This book showed the life of Albert Pujols and his baseball career with him growing up. Albert had a very stressful childhood and could have givin up easily on his baseball career maultiple times but he didn’t this is why I enjoyed the book a lot.
March 1, 2011
Albert Pujols caught my eye, along with attention from the rest of the world, even from his rookie season in 2001. Living in the TV market of the St. Louis Cardinals, I heard plenty about this unheralded newcomer and saw for myself that he had potential to become a force for the Redbirds.
No one knew then that within a decade he'd be heralded as the league's best player. Maybe the best to ever play the game of baseball.
But Albert's perspective on life goes far beyond the accomplishments at the ballpark. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Albert says, “You know how I want people to remember me? I don't want to be remembered as the best baseball player ever. I want to be remembered as a great guy who loved the Lord, loved to serve the community and who gave back.”
Pujols was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, immigrating to the United States when he was 16. Lamb & Ellsworth chronicle the journey from his sobering childhood all the way through the end of the 2010 MLB season. They share how his faith has grown from the young adult who accepted Christ as his Savior to the man who witnesses during ballgames and leads missions trips to his native country. He and his wife Dee Dee are the force behind the Pujols Family Foundation, which is dedicated to helping families of Down Syndrome children and adults, as well as reaching into the Dominican Republic to help with medical needs and the sharing of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Baseball nuts will love all the statistics included within the book. I love baseball but I found myself a little bogged down here and there when every at-bat of certain games were detailed. Or when they would tell us something like “in the second month of the season Pujols was tied for the home run lead”. In a 162-game season that was seven years ago, why does that stat matter? But once you get past those technical points and get to the real meat of the matter, which as Albert himself would say is his faith and his testimony, that's where this story becomes deep and compelling.
In a world where not many can be looked up to as heroes, I believe Albert Pujols stands head and shoulders above the crowd. His love for the Lord and for his family is inspiring. The fact that he actively tries to glorify God in everything he does makes him someone I admire. He is not perfect, but he seeks the better path: to humbly serve those around him. Well done, Albert. May God grant him strength and wisdom as he lives the rest of his life story!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.>/i>
This review originally appeared at http://wwww.reviewsbyerin.livejournal...
No one knew then that within a decade he'd be heralded as the league's best player. Maybe the best to ever play the game of baseball.
But Albert's perspective on life goes far beyond the accomplishments at the ballpark. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Albert says, “You know how I want people to remember me? I don't want to be remembered as the best baseball player ever. I want to be remembered as a great guy who loved the Lord, loved to serve the community and who gave back.”
Pujols was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, immigrating to the United States when he was 16. Lamb & Ellsworth chronicle the journey from his sobering childhood all the way through the end of the 2010 MLB season. They share how his faith has grown from the young adult who accepted Christ as his Savior to the man who witnesses during ballgames and leads missions trips to his native country. He and his wife Dee Dee are the force behind the Pujols Family Foundation, which is dedicated to helping families of Down Syndrome children and adults, as well as reaching into the Dominican Republic to help with medical needs and the sharing of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Baseball nuts will love all the statistics included within the book. I love baseball but I found myself a little bogged down here and there when every at-bat of certain games were detailed. Or when they would tell us something like “in the second month of the season Pujols was tied for the home run lead”. In a 162-game season that was seven years ago, why does that stat matter? But once you get past those technical points and get to the real meat of the matter, which as Albert himself would say is his faith and his testimony, that's where this story becomes deep and compelling.
In a world where not many can be looked up to as heroes, I believe Albert Pujols stands head and shoulders above the crowd. His love for the Lord and for his family is inspiring. The fact that he actively tries to glorify God in everything he does makes him someone I admire. He is not perfect, but he seeks the better path: to humbly serve those around him. Well done, Albert. May God grant him strength and wisdom as he lives the rest of his life story!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.>/i>
This review originally appeared at http://wwww.reviewsbyerin.livejournal...
April 4, 2011
Even if your baseball knowledge is limited to the update tracker at the bottom of the television screen, you'll know the name of Albert Pujols. He's the only player to hit at least 30 home runs in each of his 10 seasons. He's been awarded both the National League's MVP and ESPY (best MLB player) awards three times and, in a sport tainted by Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs), he's never tested positive for banned substances. But did you also know that Pujols is a Christian? I didn't, maybe because I'm a casual observer of the game. When Thomas Nelson offered a book that focused on his Christian faith for review, however, I was intrigued enough to take a look.
Pujols is a force on and off the field and the book reflects that. The first part looks at his life before he hit the big time. He grew up in the Dominican Republic. "Sometimes we didn't have anything to eat for breakfast, but if we could eat lunch and dinner, we weren't poor." His father played softball. Like many of his peers, he loved watching baseball. At the age of 16 he moved to the USA with his family and, despite his lack of English skills, made it onto the high school baseball team. That's where his career began.
The book contains a lot of game statistics and replays. Most of those went over my head. Where I got most enjoyment was in reading his off field activities. Pujols puts his life as a Christian above everything else. He believes his baseball ability comes from God, and it is his job to use that gift for God's glory. Through his Pujols Family Foundation, he raises money for a Down syndrome organization in St Louis and for an orphanage in his home country. Is he perfect? No, and that's what I like about this book. The writers make it clear that Christians aren't perfect and describe more than one incident where Pujols did not act in a positive manner.
There is one other thing that makes this book different from your average biography. There are no glossy photos of Pujols or his family in the middle. I don't know why that is, but I'd like to think it's because for Albert Pujols the emphasis should be on God and not him. Even though, yes, this is a book about him.
Overall, this is a decent book that doesn't make Pujols larger than life. There are a lot of statistics, but casual fans can skip past those. I gave up on baseball long ago (my home team is described in the book as the "perennial cellar-dwelling Pirates"), but this book held my interest to the end.
Note: I received this book from Thomas Nelson's Booksneeze review program. The opinions contained in this review are my own.
Pujols is a force on and off the field and the book reflects that. The first part looks at his life before he hit the big time. He grew up in the Dominican Republic. "Sometimes we didn't have anything to eat for breakfast, but if we could eat lunch and dinner, we weren't poor." His father played softball. Like many of his peers, he loved watching baseball. At the age of 16 he moved to the USA with his family and, despite his lack of English skills, made it onto the high school baseball team. That's where his career began.
The book contains a lot of game statistics and replays. Most of those went over my head. Where I got most enjoyment was in reading his off field activities. Pujols puts his life as a Christian above everything else. He believes his baseball ability comes from God, and it is his job to use that gift for God's glory. Through his Pujols Family Foundation, he raises money for a Down syndrome organization in St Louis and for an orphanage in his home country. Is he perfect? No, and that's what I like about this book. The writers make it clear that Christians aren't perfect and describe more than one incident where Pujols did not act in a positive manner.
There is one other thing that makes this book different from your average biography. There are no glossy photos of Pujols or his family in the middle. I don't know why that is, but I'd like to think it's because for Albert Pujols the emphasis should be on God and not him. Even though, yes, this is a book about him.
Overall, this is a decent book that doesn't make Pujols larger than life. There are a lot of statistics, but casual fans can skip past those. I gave up on baseball long ago (my home team is described in the book as the "perennial cellar-dwelling Pirates"), but this book held my interest to the end.
Note: I received this book from Thomas Nelson's Booksneeze review program. The opinions contained in this review are my own.
February 23, 2011
Pujols: More Than the Game by Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth
Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth in Pujols: More Than the Game chronicles the life and spiritual walk of St. Louis Cardinals slugger and Major League Baseball MVP Albert Pujols. They chart his life from the poverty of the Dominican Republic, immigration to the United States and settling in the Kansas City area as a teenager and his quick impact on the game of baseball. Lamb and Ellsworth don’t just document Pujols life between the lines but also chronicle the efforts of Pujols and his wife Deidre to walk a consistent Christian life.
I have a bias. I’m a Cubs fan…so Pujols haunts my dreams. So I came into this reading not wanting to like Pujols. The writers are clearly fans of Pujols and they create a picture of a very moral man who makes choices out of his faith in God and a compassionate heart. In the end, the authors make it difficult for even a Cubs fan, hopefully Pujols’ 2012 team, to dislike this Cardinals’ hero. And the strength of the book is the stories of Pujols’ compassionate acts, these are the scenes where the reader get to better understand Pujols the man, father and husband. Honestly it’s the baseball scenes of the book that are lacking. The authors provide lots of names, numbers, facts and season summaries at a quick pace making it difficult to dig into the action of games and seasons. Also, the book lacks the young people with money acting silly sort of stories that one typically finds in baseball books. I don’t need stories of Pujols drinking and acting immorally but an excellent Christian witness would be stories of a young man really enjoying himself as he earns millions playing a game and being in top physical condition. Honestly this book lacks the funny and silly stories one typically finds in a baseball biography, that is not exploring the evils of steroids. Also, the authors do mention some negative incidents in Pujols career especially in incidents with the press, but they defend Pujols’ character strongly. In fact perhaps too strongly, giving readers a 20 point list of why Pujols has never used steroids, that could easily be boiled down to faith, integrity and bodily stewardship. Sadly, this book is at times just too bland to be considered a great baseball book.
Review Copy Provided by Thomas Nelson
Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth in Pujols: More Than the Game chronicles the life and spiritual walk of St. Louis Cardinals slugger and Major League Baseball MVP Albert Pujols. They chart his life from the poverty of the Dominican Republic, immigration to the United States and settling in the Kansas City area as a teenager and his quick impact on the game of baseball. Lamb and Ellsworth don’t just document Pujols life between the lines but also chronicle the efforts of Pujols and his wife Deidre to walk a consistent Christian life.
I have a bias. I’m a Cubs fan…so Pujols haunts my dreams. So I came into this reading not wanting to like Pujols. The writers are clearly fans of Pujols and they create a picture of a very moral man who makes choices out of his faith in God and a compassionate heart. In the end, the authors make it difficult for even a Cubs fan, hopefully Pujols’ 2012 team, to dislike this Cardinals’ hero. And the strength of the book is the stories of Pujols’ compassionate acts, these are the scenes where the reader get to better understand Pujols the man, father and husband. Honestly it’s the baseball scenes of the book that are lacking. The authors provide lots of names, numbers, facts and season summaries at a quick pace making it difficult to dig into the action of games and seasons. Also, the book lacks the young people with money acting silly sort of stories that one typically finds in baseball books. I don’t need stories of Pujols drinking and acting immorally but an excellent Christian witness would be stories of a young man really enjoying himself as he earns millions playing a game and being in top physical condition. Honestly this book lacks the funny and silly stories one typically finds in a baseball biography, that is not exploring the evils of steroids. Also, the authors do mention some negative incidents in Pujols career especially in incidents with the press, but they defend Pujols’ character strongly. In fact perhaps too strongly, giving readers a 20 point list of why Pujols has never used steroids, that could easily be boiled down to faith, integrity and bodily stewardship. Sadly, this book is at times just too bland to be considered a great baseball book.
Review Copy Provided by Thomas Nelson
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September 22, 2016 The author's purpose of Pujols: More Than the Game is easy. Jim Ellsworth and Scott Lamb’s purpose is to inform the readers. They want to inform readers about the life and playing career of Albert Pujols. This story tells of Pujols’ baseball journey from the Dominican Republic to St. Louis, and of the life journey of his faith and family.
The theme of Pujols: More Than the game is that Pujols’ life, and everyone’s life, is more than baseball. That everyone has a purpose and that Pujols’ purpose is to positively impact people’s lives with his ability and his foundation, the Pujols Family Foundation. Pujols uses his gifts to help with people with Down syndrome and help with the quality of life for people in the Dominican Republic. “ From its inception, the Pujols Family Foundation sought to e an agent of great joy and good in the lives of families and children who live with with Down syndrome. As its mission statement explains, the foundation was to ‘promote awareness, provide hope and meet tangible needs,’ and ‘provide extraordinary experiences for children with disabilities and life threatening illnesses’” (Ellsworth, 158). Pujols does his work to not glorify himself but to glorify God.
The style of the book is a narration. The authors of this book chronologically tell the story of Albert Pujols. From growing up in the Dominican Republic, to moving to the United States as a teenager, to his days in the Minor Leagues, to stardom in the Major League. In the book there are a couple chapter that talk about the man of Albert Pujols and his faith and his impact on the community. This style is effective but can be confusing at times. It is effective because it not only gives information about Pujols playing career ,but also information about his private life.
My opinion of the book that it was very good. The writers did a tremendous job of telling the story of Albert Pujols. I really like the detail that the author went into when talking about each of Pujols’ season. Something that I did not like was that everyone once in awhile the story would be telling of his baseball career and then go off on a different path. I do not mind that this happened, since the point of the story was to talk not only about Pujols’ career ,but his life outside of baseball.
The theme of Pujols: More Than the game is that Pujols’ life, and everyone’s life, is more than baseball. That everyone has a purpose and that Pujols’ purpose is to positively impact people’s lives with his ability and his foundation, the Pujols Family Foundation. Pujols uses his gifts to help with people with Down syndrome and help with the quality of life for people in the Dominican Republic. “ From its inception, the Pujols Family Foundation sought to e an agent of great joy and good in the lives of families and children who live with with Down syndrome. As its mission statement explains, the foundation was to ‘promote awareness, provide hope and meet tangible needs,’ and ‘provide extraordinary experiences for children with disabilities and life threatening illnesses’” (Ellsworth, 158). Pujols does his work to not glorify himself but to glorify God.
The style of the book is a narration. The authors of this book chronologically tell the story of Albert Pujols. From growing up in the Dominican Republic, to moving to the United States as a teenager, to his days in the Minor Leagues, to stardom in the Major League. In the book there are a couple chapter that talk about the man of Albert Pujols and his faith and his impact on the community. This style is effective but can be confusing at times. It is effective because it not only gives information about Pujols playing career ,but also information about his private life.
My opinion of the book that it was very good. The writers did a tremendous job of telling the story of Albert Pujols. I really like the detail that the author went into when talking about each of Pujols’ season. Something that I did not like was that everyone once in awhile the story would be telling of his baseball career and then go off on a different path. I do not mind that this happened, since the point of the story was to talk not only about Pujols’ career ,but his life outside of baseball.
November 20, 2016
Grant Mink
B4
11/20/2016
I read the book More Than The Game by Albert Pujols. I believe the author’s purpose is to encourage others to do the right things in life. He shows how even through success he always stays humble and is unselfish. This book can have an impact on any age level because it teaches to have the right values in your life. It talks about how even though he is a great baseball player, he does great things off of the field. He is showing how to help others and just be a good person in general.
I believe the theme of this book is willpower. Being a professional athlete, you have to have confidence in yourself and others. Albert always did what was right even if it didn't benefit him. He had the fight in high school and growing up to be the best person he could and to become a great baseball player. He has willed himself to become a great role model for people all around the world. An example of this would be “I have five young children and I take being a role model very seriously” (p. 168). This shows how important how people view him as a person is to him.
This book was a narration. It explains how he grew up with not a large amount of money living in the Dominican Republic. It also talks about how he found god and baseball and used those two things as his ways out of the Dominican Republic and lead him on the path of success that he is on now. To this day he still helps and donates to the under privileged especially in the Dominican Republic. An example of this would be “I believe it is my responsibility to do what I can for children and people with Down syndrome as well as in my native Dominican Republic” (p. 95). This shows that he tries to help others that are not as lucky as him.
I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed how it talked about his journey throughout his life to make it where he is today. There is not a single thing I disliked nor is there anything I would change. I would give this book 5/5 stars no doubt. This book is somewhat similar to Toughness by Jay Bilas.
B4
11/20/2016
I read the book More Than The Game by Albert Pujols. I believe the author’s purpose is to encourage others to do the right things in life. He shows how even through success he always stays humble and is unselfish. This book can have an impact on any age level because it teaches to have the right values in your life. It talks about how even though he is a great baseball player, he does great things off of the field. He is showing how to help others and just be a good person in general.
I believe the theme of this book is willpower. Being a professional athlete, you have to have confidence in yourself and others. Albert always did what was right even if it didn't benefit him. He had the fight in high school and growing up to be the best person he could and to become a great baseball player. He has willed himself to become a great role model for people all around the world. An example of this would be “I have five young children and I take being a role model very seriously” (p. 168). This shows how important how people view him as a person is to him.
This book was a narration. It explains how he grew up with not a large amount of money living in the Dominican Republic. It also talks about how he found god and baseball and used those two things as his ways out of the Dominican Republic and lead him on the path of success that he is on now. To this day he still helps and donates to the under privileged especially in the Dominican Republic. An example of this would be “I believe it is my responsibility to do what I can for children and people with Down syndrome as well as in my native Dominican Republic” (p. 95). This shows that he tries to help others that are not as lucky as him.
I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed how it talked about his journey throughout his life to make it where he is today. There is not a single thing I disliked nor is there anything I would change. I would give this book 5/5 stars no doubt. This book is somewhat similar to Toughness by Jay Bilas.
August 24, 2011
Every young athlete would benefit from this great work. Not because it shows the glory of one man's journey through life but because it shows that not matter how many accolades, awards, notoriety, or money one receives, it is the establishment of a true relationship with Jesus Christ that will propel one to the top.
The authors do a great job in detailing his humble starts in a small shack in the Dominican Republic to a very successful foundation designed not for the glory of Albert, but the glory of god and what he wants Albert to do with his life. Many times we will get caught up with the numbers he constantly pounds out each year and think to ourselves, "Wow, I wish I could do that." but like a yo-yo Albert pulls you back to his foundation; a relationship with God. Albert and his wife Dede constantly remind everyone that winning the MVP or the World Series is just a stat. It does not define but rather helps them in their quest of helping others as their savior did.
I found myself rethinking my own commitment to Jesus. I fail miserably in that area compared to Albert and his family. But after reading the book I didn’tt just learn about the Baseball player Albert Pujols, I learned about the man Albert Pujols and if was in a room discussing my weak faith, I believe he would pull me aside and tell it's never too late to start again.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a book packed with statistics and achievements for one player's career, this is for you. But more important if you are looking for a book which truly shows how God and Jesus Christ can work in your life,this is a must read. Albert mentions it a few times when asked about being inducted into the Hall of Fame after he hangs up his cleats, he would gladly accept the honor but more important the real Hall of Fame he is seeking is the one his Lord is preparing for him.
The authors do a great job in detailing his humble starts in a small shack in the Dominican Republic to a very successful foundation designed not for the glory of Albert, but the glory of god and what he wants Albert to do with his life. Many times we will get caught up with the numbers he constantly pounds out each year and think to ourselves, "Wow, I wish I could do that." but like a yo-yo Albert pulls you back to his foundation; a relationship with God. Albert and his wife Dede constantly remind everyone that winning the MVP or the World Series is just a stat. It does not define but rather helps them in their quest of helping others as their savior did.
I found myself rethinking my own commitment to Jesus. I fail miserably in that area compared to Albert and his family. But after reading the book I didn’tt just learn about the Baseball player Albert Pujols, I learned about the man Albert Pujols and if was in a room discussing my weak faith, I believe he would pull me aside and tell it's never too late to start again.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a book packed with statistics and achievements for one player's career, this is for you. But more important if you are looking for a book which truly shows how God and Jesus Christ can work in your life,this is a must read. Albert mentions it a few times when asked about being inducted into the Hall of Fame after he hangs up his cleats, he would gladly accept the honor but more important the real Hall of Fame he is seeking is the one his Lord is preparing for him.
March 2, 2011
Does the name Albert Pujols mean anything to you?
In 2010 Pujols became the first player in baseball history to bat .300 with 30 home runs and 100 runs batted in for ten consecutive seasons. That is something that Babe Ruth, Ted Williams and Hank Aaron did not do. In the 2010 season Pujols also hit 408 home runs. Every time he touched home plate he pointed toward heaven, giving credit to a power higher than himself.
If you aren’t a fan of baseball and statistics don’t impress you, perhaps Albert’s off the field deeds will impress you.
Albert Pujols was born in the Dominican Republic where poverty prevails but so does baseball. In his teenage years, the Pujols family immigrated to the US where Albert enrolled in high school, started playing baseball and learned about Jesus Christ. From that time on he has tried to live his life as a good Christian man. He has foundations to help kids and families with Down Syndrome because with his own daughter affected by this disability, he knows how it is. Pujols also frequently and freely gives back to his own birthplace in Dominican Republic, helping with medical care and necessities of life.
Those close to Albert speak highly of him as a man and as an athlete.
I enjoyed reading through this book. I love baseball and there is no doubt that Albert Pujols is an amazingly talented athlete. His statistics speak for themselves. It’s nice to read about the good efforts he is making to help others and give back. This was a well written biography. It’s wasn’t a stay up past midnight to finish it kind of book, but it was interesting and definitely left me feeling good. Here is my favorite line from the book. “This isn’t only about being a baseball player. It’s about having the opportunity to change lives.”
In 2010 Pujols became the first player in baseball history to bat .300 with 30 home runs and 100 runs batted in for ten consecutive seasons. That is something that Babe Ruth, Ted Williams and Hank Aaron did not do. In the 2010 season Pujols also hit 408 home runs. Every time he touched home plate he pointed toward heaven, giving credit to a power higher than himself.
If you aren’t a fan of baseball and statistics don’t impress you, perhaps Albert’s off the field deeds will impress you.
Albert Pujols was born in the Dominican Republic where poverty prevails but so does baseball. In his teenage years, the Pujols family immigrated to the US where Albert enrolled in high school, started playing baseball and learned about Jesus Christ. From that time on he has tried to live his life as a good Christian man. He has foundations to help kids and families with Down Syndrome because with his own daughter affected by this disability, he knows how it is. Pujols also frequently and freely gives back to his own birthplace in Dominican Republic, helping with medical care and necessities of life.
Those close to Albert speak highly of him as a man and as an athlete.
I enjoyed reading through this book. I love baseball and there is no doubt that Albert Pujols is an amazingly talented athlete. His statistics speak for themselves. It’s nice to read about the good efforts he is making to help others and give back. This was a well written biography. It’s wasn’t a stay up past midnight to finish it kind of book, but it was interesting and definitely left me feeling good. Here is my favorite line from the book. “This isn’t only about being a baseball player. It’s about having the opportunity to change lives.”
August 4, 2011
Few areas of life evoke a more passionate response than that of sports. It is a multi-billion dollar industry that entertains and inspires fans and creates heroes out of men and women simply for their exploits on their respective fields of play. Too often these “heroes” excel in their sport but fall far short in life – Darryl Strawberry, Michael Vick, Barry Bonds, and OJ Simpson, to name a few. One superstar has escaped the pitfalls of his meteoric rise in the baseball world, and perhaps the title of the recent biography Pujols: More Than the Game explains why.
For Albert Pujols, current star of the Saint Louis Cardinals, baseball was a way of life growing up in the Dominican Republic. Upon moving to the United States as a teenager, Pujols began to impress coaches with his home run hitting and mature understanding of the game, as well as with his character on and off the field. Still, no one could have predicted Albert Pujols’ ride from the minor leagues to the pinnacle of major league baseball’s individual honors would be so rapid. In this new biography, authors Lamb and Ellsworth do a thorough job outlining that trip with a stunning array of statistics and clear reporting of the big games in Pujols’ career.
Readers should not be surprised that the book’s strongest running theme is the role Albert Pujols’ deep faith plays in his life, on and off the field. It is here that Pujols becomes more than just a great sportsman as the authors detail the work of the Pujols Family Foundation and the many other ways Pujols chooses to live out his faith. Pujols: More Than the Game makes a great read for sports fans and even those who know nothing about baseball but can appreciate a life well lived for the glory of Another.
For Albert Pujols, current star of the Saint Louis Cardinals, baseball was a way of life growing up in the Dominican Republic. Upon moving to the United States as a teenager, Pujols began to impress coaches with his home run hitting and mature understanding of the game, as well as with his character on and off the field. Still, no one could have predicted Albert Pujols’ ride from the minor leagues to the pinnacle of major league baseball’s individual honors would be so rapid. In this new biography, authors Lamb and Ellsworth do a thorough job outlining that trip with a stunning array of statistics and clear reporting of the big games in Pujols’ career.
Readers should not be surprised that the book’s strongest running theme is the role Albert Pujols’ deep faith plays in his life, on and off the field. It is here that Pujols becomes more than just a great sportsman as the authors detail the work of the Pujols Family Foundation and the many other ways Pujols chooses to live out his faith. Pujols: More Than the Game makes a great read for sports fans and even those who know nothing about baseball but can appreciate a life well lived for the glory of Another.
October 10, 2015
I think the purpose for Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth writing this book is to help us to understand how a simple person who has a special gift gets a chance to play an amazing sport but never loses sight of his faith in Jesus Christ. After playing for only ten years Albert Pujols has already been compared to some of the greatest ball players of all times. But with all of this success, Albert continues to put his faith in Jesus Christ first, family second and then baseball.
There are several themes for this book and the first is to never give up. Pujols never gives up on playing the game the right way or trying to get better each and every year. The second one is he is just a normal person who just wants to have fun playing the game. He has fun by getting to play baseball with Freese, Molina, Holiday, Wainwright and more. The last is theme is that if you want to achieve something you need to work as hard as you can at it and continue to improve on what you have already done in life including your faith in Jesus Christ.
The book is written and told by Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth and the style they are using to tell the story is from three different points of view. They do a very good job of it by telling us how Albert feels in the story about winning games, The World Series, and Gold Glove Awards.
Overall, I really liked the book and would truly recommend this book for anyone who loves sports books, loves baseball or has a report to do on Albert Pujols. This book also gave me a good understanding of how teams play together and win and lose as a team. Also, it helped me to see that its OK for someone that has had so much success to put God first before anything.
There are several themes for this book and the first is to never give up. Pujols never gives up on playing the game the right way or trying to get better each and every year. The second one is he is just a normal person who just wants to have fun playing the game. He has fun by getting to play baseball with Freese, Molina, Holiday, Wainwright and more. The last is theme is that if you want to achieve something you need to work as hard as you can at it and continue to improve on what you have already done in life including your faith in Jesus Christ.
The book is written and told by Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth and the style they are using to tell the story is from three different points of view. They do a very good job of it by telling us how Albert feels in the story about winning games, The World Series, and Gold Glove Awards.
Overall, I really liked the book and would truly recommend this book for anyone who loves sports books, loves baseball or has a report to do on Albert Pujols. This book also gave me a good understanding of how teams play together and win and lose as a team. Also, it helped me to see that its OK for someone that has had so much success to put God first before anything.
Read
May 4, 2016Albert Pujols writes about his rags to riches baseball life, but the riches are not necessarily the money he has earned. The riches he talks about are ones such as his family and getting very close to God. Albert is from the Dominican Republic and never had an established faith life partially due to his father being an alcoholic. However, Albert did have one love and that was for the game of baseball. He would go out in the streets and play with the neighborhood kids every day of the week and eventually developed into a solid player. Later on Albert moved into the US to play his high school and college ball where he out shined everybody. Mr. Pujols met his wife Deidre in college and she was the most influential person on Albert's faith life. She brought him to church and Albert, barely knowing English connected with the pastor and his faith life grew deeper from then until present time. Often times Albert says he has been given a wonderful platform in baseball by God, in order to spread God's word. The author, Scott Lamb noticeably used a few rhetorical devices in order to keep the reader engaged throughout the book. When Lamb was describing statistics and or the plot of a major event in Albert's life he would use long sentences. Then he would use short and quick sentences during times of action such as when a plate appearance was being announced. Scott Lamb kept me engaged because he never failed to mix the chapters up and he always connected everything back to faith, just as Albert does. Sometimes though when Lamb mixed chapters up timeline wise, the book was a bit confusing. I would definitely recommend this book to someone who is either a very faithful person or someone who is deciding whether or not they should become involved in the faith community.
April 25, 2013
Pujols: More Than the Game is a biography about one of the best hitters in the MLB today. The book discusses the long hard fought journey pujols made to get to where he is today. Born in the Dominican Republic and then immigrating to America was his way out from there. The domicican republic is a place that always produces great baseball players just like Pujols. This book also discusses the huge religious beliefs behind the big domicican ball player. Many people might not see that side of him to often. But none of this would have been possible if he never met his wife Deidre. the book also talks about how him and his wife started charities that help support kids with Down Syndrome and orphans in the Dominican Republic.
I really enjoyed reading this book it showed me new things i didn't know about one of the best hitters in baseball. I always knew Pujols was nice guy but I never knew he started his own charities with his wife. Pujols is a humble man that gives back to those that are less fortunate. I also enjoyed learning about all the stats and records Pujols has won in his few years in the majors but he has many more ahead of him to collect more awards. I rate this book a seven out of ten.
I would recommend this book to any ones that's interested in baseball biographies. I would also recommend this book to cardinals fans and now his new team the Anehiam Angles. This book Is very descriptive on Pujols way of hitting. Also you can learn some thing from reading about Pujols and the way he hits his game because he plays it with lots of pride and he always stays grounded he never let it get to his head.
I really enjoyed reading this book it showed me new things i didn't know about one of the best hitters in baseball. I always knew Pujols was nice guy but I never knew he started his own charities with his wife. Pujols is a humble man that gives back to those that are less fortunate. I also enjoyed learning about all the stats and records Pujols has won in his few years in the majors but he has many more ahead of him to collect more awards. I rate this book a seven out of ten.
I would recommend this book to any ones that's interested in baseball biographies. I would also recommend this book to cardinals fans and now his new team the Anehiam Angles. This book Is very descriptive on Pujols way of hitting. Also you can learn some thing from reading about Pujols and the way he hits his game because he plays it with lots of pride and he always stays grounded he never let it get to his head.
Want to read
October 6, 2015 I read the book called pujols it was a good book to read. this author wrote this book, because he wanted to let people know that you can achieve things in live by doing so little or so big at a certain time in your life. it took it directly he want people to know things we never knew before.
The theme of the book was, pujols was accepted to the cardinals and the players did not like him. They didn't like him, because he was black the rest of the team was white and was against him. Then he played in the field and he played good to where the players liked him more cause he was better than most of the players on the team. They went to the world series and they won the game, because of pujols he hit a homerun and brought all the players to score and the extra runs helped them win the game. so they all like pujols now cause he won the world series for the cardinals.
It was written in first person. it was a description, because it was an important time in life that any black can do the same as whites. Not everyone can do things they want, because they don't like themselves. they think they will get made fun of for doing something right and something no one else can do besides you.
My opinion about the book it was good I don't like how people don't like blacks if there just trying to have fun. I like how he won the world series for the team. I didn't like how they were making fun of him for being black. I would change the teams minds on how they should act to other people that are way different then you, because you don't know what its like to be them getting fun of all the time. it is not similar to other books I have read.
The theme of the book was, pujols was accepted to the cardinals and the players did not like him. They didn't like him, because he was black the rest of the team was white and was against him. Then he played in the field and he played good to where the players liked him more cause he was better than most of the players on the team. They went to the world series and they won the game, because of pujols he hit a homerun and brought all the players to score and the extra runs helped them win the game. so they all like pujols now cause he won the world series for the cardinals.
It was written in first person. it was a description, because it was an important time in life that any black can do the same as whites. Not everyone can do things they want, because they don't like themselves. they think they will get made fun of for doing something right and something no one else can do besides you.
My opinion about the book it was good I don't like how people don't like blacks if there just trying to have fun. I like how he won the world series for the team. I didn't like how they were making fun of him for being black. I would change the teams minds on how they should act to other people that are way different then you, because you don't know what its like to be them getting fun of all the time. it is not similar to other books I have read.
January 28, 2013
This was a very disappointing book. The writing style makes the book read more like a dry textbook than an inspirational story or a compelling biography. The book is very confusing to read as events and circumstances are presented out of chronological order. Being a baseball fan I was also disappointed by the lackluster description of the baseball events. But perhaps the most disappointing thing about the book is it feels as though it is pushing an agenda of Christianity and the Pujols Family Foundation. As a Christian myself and someone that has worked for a nonprofit organization for a decade both of those topics are close to my heart. And yet, I felt as though this book sacrificed a great deal of good and compelling stories about this terrific athlete that could have weaved the topic of his faith in organically. By promoting an agenda instead of describing Albert Pujols as a person I actually feel I have less respect for him after reading this book. I do have to say the book convinced me that he didn't take steroids an that he seems to be as consistent off the field as on the field. Pujols seems like good man and a good baseball player but this book isn't worth the paper it is printed on.
August 28, 2011
Fans of Pujols and/or baseball, as well as anyone looking for an inspirational story, will enjoy this book. Not only does this book provide historic and current baseball facts and trivia, but it also explains and illustrates how religion and baseball are important to Pujols and how he uses his faith to help and encourage others. The simple base truth of this story is that everything is guided by God's hands and those who follow in his footsteps and give back to their faith can achieve great things.
This book starts out with a charming story about Pujols' giving nature and loving heart and then delves into explaining how God has worked to change Pujols' life since his childhood. However, the book doesn't only focus on Pujols, it also provides stories of others in his life, such as his wife. One story in the book about his wife visiting a friend in the hospital, in particular, caught my attention. Not only does it illustrate how God has influenced every aspect of Pujols' life and the lives of those around him, but it also made me wish that a sequel would be written about his wife and how God has influenced her life as well.
This book starts out with a charming story about Pujols' giving nature and loving heart and then delves into explaining how God has worked to change Pujols' life since his childhood. However, the book doesn't only focus on Pujols, it also provides stories of others in his life, such as his wife. One story in the book about his wife visiting a friend in the hospital, in particular, caught my attention. Not only does it illustrate how God has influenced every aspect of Pujols' life and the lives of those around him, but it also made me wish that a sequel would be written about his wife and how God has influenced her life as well.
August 1, 2011
With the title More than the Game, I was expecting just that. I think 80% of the book was the game and stats. If you are baseball fan that loves, breathes, goes to every game and is able to keep all those stats, then you would love this book. However, I did like the book when it talked about Pujols as a team player, a christian and a husband. He leads by example and is very focused. You have other athletes such as Tiger Woods that has the same mind set when he plays, however, he has a balance that makes Pujols stand out among all the rest. How does he maintain that balance, his focus on the Lord and glorifying the Lord in all that he does. His heart for people also keeps him in balance, it is not for show but for the glory of God so that others will see Jesus in him. However, for me when the book was all the about the game, all I heard was bla bla bla. Pulols will make the record books and probably the hall of Fame and what will be nice 50+ years from now people will say how much he loved the Lord and others.
May 26, 2013
Very good book about the career and character of Albert Pujols up to the 2011 season. I enjoyed reading about his exploits off the field as much as I did his stats and numbers from his exploits within the ballpark. I could tell that the authors were excited about Pujols actions on the diamond through the years, but there were a couple of times that they bounced around in time, and I had to re-read portions to make sure that I was at the right point. This wasn't excessive, and probably more of a personal thing with me. It didn't take away from the essence of the story, and I really enjoyed the book.
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