Albert Pujols Celebrity Golf Classic

Cards hit the links for Pujols Foundation

LaRussa, several players on hand for charity golf outing

7.13.07

By Daniel Berk / MLB.com

ST. LOUIS -- Standing on a podium speaking with reporters during his annual celebrity golf tournament, Albert Pujols was talking about what a special day it is every year for him and his family. In mid-sentence, Pujols was interrupted by Ethan Schroeder, "Albert Pujols is the man!" Schroeder shouted.

Schroeder, a young man with Down syndrome, is one of the many kids throughout the St. Louis area that benefit from the various fundraising events Pujols and his wife, Deidre, put together through the Pujols Family Foundation.

Thursday marked the fifth annual Albert Pujols Celebrity Golf Tournament at Whitmoor Country Club in St. Charles, Mo. The foundation supports sufferers of Down syndrome and children living in impoverished conditions and in orphanages in the Dominican Republic.

In all, there were 55 foursomes teeing off for the good cause, with a celebrity joining each group. Manager Tony La Russa joined Adam Wainwright, Chris Duncan, Mark Mulder, Randy Flores and Adam Kennedy as the Cardinals' contingent on hand.

Also turning out for the event were members of the Phillies, the Cards' opponent this weekend, including Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Abraham Nunez and Antonio Alfonseca.

"This certainly couldn't happen without all the support from all the guys and all the fans who came to out to golf," Pujols said. "It's very humbling when you see everyone come and support you like this. I need to thank all of my teammates."

Also on hand to support Pujols was Texas Tech basketball coach Bobby Knight and Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis. Robert Wuhl, star of HBO's "Arli$$," was also out for the good cause.

The Pujols Family Foundation puts on several events throughout the year to not only raise money, but also to raise awareness of Down syndrome. It is something that is very close to Albert and Deidre Pujols, as they have a daughter, Isabella, who lives with the condition.

"It's an awesome cause," Deidre Pujols said. "It takes a large group of people to put something like this together."

The impact Albert Pujols has on the children's lives was evident by the excitement and passion with which they spoke about him.

"He's my best friend," Schroeder said. "I've known him for five years, and he's even coming to my birthday party."

Adding to the excitement and buzz surrounding the tournament was the fact that the Cards had won a 14-inning game on a walk-off home run by Ryan Ludwick the night before the event.

Ludwick was on hand and was all smiles. He said he didn't get much sleep after the exciting home run but was thrilled to be supporting his teammate.

"It's like two days all bottled into one," Ludwick said. "It's all for a good cause, and we were anxious to get out here and support Albert. He does so much for our team; it's a nice chance to give back to him a little bit."

Following the tournament, there was a silent auction that featured a Pujols signed base from the 2006 World Series, a signed Pujols helmet and other memorabilia and jewelry. There was also a dinner at the country club for all the participants.

"The cause is a terrific one," La Russa said. "He's a teammate, so if he asks for help, we give it to him."

Daniel Berk is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.