Scott Lamb - Pujols: More Than the Game

Praise for Pujols: More than the Game

As a part of the great tradition of St. Louis Cardinals baseball, it is very gratifying to me to see a man of Alberts character enjoy the success that he has achieved. Leadership comes in many forms, but the constant quality that all great leaders possess is an unwavering dedication to personal values. The fact that Alberts Christian witness is such a visible part of his life, both on and off the field, has made him a wonderful model for fans of all ages to follow. His dedication to his craft and to God makes him the ultimate Hall of Famer.

TOMMY HERR
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS SECOND BASEMAN (19791988)

One of the challenges that comes with watching from the press box and writing the first drafts of a legend is being able to chronicle his feats while still capturing the complexities of Albert Pujols, the greatest hitter of his generation. Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth are able to do both, peeking behind the box scores, scraping beneath the statistics, and illuminating not just what drives Pujols in the batters box, but what inspires him beyond it. By showing how a 13th-round unknown blitzed baseball and became a potential first-ballot Hall of Famer, they reveal the person even as they highlight the player who, with each swing, can make history.

DERRICK GOOLD
BASEBALL WRITER ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

Ive long admired Albert Pujols marvelous baseball talent, especially since I pitched so many hitters into the Hall of Fame throughout my career. But, more importantly, Ive also admired his character, integrity, and enthusiasm in helping those less fortunate than he. Ellsworth and Lamb do a great job exposing the wonderful man beneath the uniform. Even if youre not a baseball fan, you cant help but fall in love with this quality guy.

FRANK PASTORE
FORMER PITCHER WITH THE REDS AND TWINS,
AND HOST OF THE MOST-LISTENED TO CHRISTIAN TALK SHOW IN AMERICA.

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 youre going to go? Lamb and Ellsworth lucidly describe both the season-by-season baseball exploits of Pujols and the impact hes having on some lives for eternity.

MARVIN OLASKY
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, WORLD

Pujols has mastered the ability to use ones platform for the glory of God. You will walk away from this book encouraged in your faith as you read of Pujols steadfast commitment to God in the midst of obstacles.

FLAME
CHRISTIAN RAP ARTIST

To millions of American sports fans and the people of his native Dominican Republic, Albert Pujols is a modern day hero. But just as he acknowledges God by pointing to the sky after every home run blast, Pujols points his fans, reporters, and even opposing players who land on his first base to Alberts own hero, the Lord Jesus Christ. Lamb and Ellsworth deliver a home run themselves in this fascinating and well-documented story of a young boy who began playing baseball using milk cartons for baseball gloves and now uses his platform as baseballs greatest player to proclaim the joy and strength he receives in walking with the Lord. Baseball fan or not, youll enjoy this inspiring biography of a great man dedicated first and foremost to faith, family, and community as he lives out a great baseball career.

LES STECKEL
VETERAN NFL COACH AND PRESIDENT/CEO,
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES

Lamb and Ellsworth have given baseball fans everywhere a truly outstanding baseball book about the greatest player in the game today. In this well-written and readable introduction to the life of Albert Pujols, we learn about his early days, the shaping influences along the way, and various aspects of his amazing career. Baseball fans, especially, will love this book, the interpretation of Pujolss incredible statistics, and the powerful retelling of pivotal games and seasons. This book, however, is so much more than another fine baseball book and even more than a wonderful biographical portrait; it is an inspirational book about character, commitments, faith, and family. You will want to read this excellent book... and buy an extra copy for a family member or friend.

DAVID S. DOCKERY
PRESIDENT, UNION UNIVERSITY

St. Louis Cardinal baseball is genetically imbedded into the DNA of kids born in Arkansas during the Baby Boomer generation. I still remember my teacher at Brookwood Elementary School letting us sit on the playground on a beautiful October day so we could skip class and listen on a cheap AM transistor radio as the Cardinals beat the Yankees in the 1964 World Series. I was a nine-year old kid, but the memory of that will live with me far more than any of the lessons we would have had.

Years later, when I had my own children, I would take them on their birthdays to St. Louis to see the Cardinals play in Busch Stadium. If we were really lucky, wed catch a doubleheader.

I was in Busch Stadium in 2004 when the Boston Red Sox beat my Cardinals in game 4 of the World Series, and despite the sadness of the loss, I witnessed history both in the breaking of the curse of the Babe for Boston, but also to witness first hand the classiest sports fans in Americathe people of St. Louis, who despite their disappointment, stood and gave a standing ovation to the Champion Red Sox as a show of sportsmanship that is unparalleled in any sport in any city.

Its not surprising that one of the games truly great players, Albert Pujols is a star for the Cardinals. A world class team in a world class city deserves a world class gentleman for their team. They have that and more in Pujols. He embodies the best of sports and of heroes. His Christian testimony, his commitment to God and his family are a reminder of what real stars are about. One thing about Pujolshe matches in his personal life the excellence that he demonstrates on the diamond. You will love this book and will love Pujols if you dont already. You may never love the Cards like I do, but theres hope for you!

MIKE HUCKABEE
44TH GOVERNOR OF ARKANSAS, FORMER REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE,
HOST OF FOX NEWS HUCKABEE SHOW, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR

Many of the greatest stories of human achievement come from the battlefields and the playing fields. I was reminded of that in reading Pujols: More Than the Game by Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth. A story emerges from a baseball field that points to something far greater. Readers will be drawn into the story of Albert Pujols and his understanding of the game, seen from the vantage point of one of the greatest players of our generation. But there is more to this story, and that is where Lamb and Ellsworth really help us to understand Albert Pujols, not only as the baseball player, but as the Christian. And in that sense, they help us to understand the gospel as well, and how, indeed, in the life of a great athlete, the gospel of Jesus Christ can become so visible.

DR. R. ALBERT MOHLER, JR.
PRESIDENT, THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

In todays dysfunctional worldwhether business, politics, sports, or religionwe have become profoundly aware that all our heroes are profoundly broken. While his manager Tony LaRussa called him a real-life hero, what Lamb and Ellsworth demonstrate is that Albert Pujols only serves as a hero as he lives out the reality of his faith in the True Hero, Jesus Christ. Far beyond the stats, MVP awards, and championships, this book shows what real heroism is: a life lived in the shadow of the cross, a life lived for others, a life lived for Gods glory.