Video of the Week -- Albert Pujols shares testimony with 'I Am Second'

In The News: Albert Pujols

The invitation came in the mail one day, and 24-year-old Shawn Hoskin was all aflutter for weeks. He had been invited to the Pujols Family Foundation’s annual autumn prom, the jackpot of all invitations. Every October the Pujols Family Foundation – the charitable organization established by St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols and his wife Deidre in 2005 – holds the prom for teenagers and young adults with Down syndrome. Albert and Deidre have a daughter, Isabella, with Down syndrome, and they wanted to use their resources to make a difference in the lives of others with the same condition – like Shawn. In the days leading up to the event, Shawn got more and more excited. It was all he talked about to his parents. The day of the prom came, and Shawn got a shoe shine, a haircut and a bow tie. His father Ron chauffeured him to the prom in the family Cadillac, used only on special occasions. Then Shawn abandoned his dad in favor of the dance floor, but Ron didn’t mind a bit...

Riches That Last

What does it mean to be rich? When Stan Musial signed his 17th contract in 1958, he became the first National Leaguer to make $100,000. He was rich. In 1975, Catfish Hunter signed as a free agent for five years with the Yankees, making more than $3 million. He was richer. In 2012, Albert Pujols signed a 10-year deal with the L.A. Angels for more than $250 million. He is very rich. There is a permanent way to become “rich.” When a person acknowledges he is a sinner and trusts in Jesus as his Sin-Bearer, he becomes rich in at least three ways. He becomes rich in grace...

From the Archives -- In The Cards

Gruesomely cool images of St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols dance into your living room like a Dominican Republic merengue. Pujols wears a warrior mask as he menacingly swings his bat to the rhythm that Nike dictates. The Cardinals' superstar, the apparent future cornerstone of the new Busch Stadium in 2006, is a commercial success. Pujols has come a long way from just four seasons ago when he first suited up in the Cards' famous double-birded home jersey. "I remember 2001 when I first made the team," he says. "I was really scared because I was a young Christian, and I didn't know how things were going to go-until one of the best teammates I had, Mike Matheny, took me under his wings and told me everything was going to be all right...

From the Archives -- Center Stage

Many didn't think the Saint Louis Cardinals would be in the playoff hunt without Albert Pujols, but the Cards are once again contending for the playoffs, and Carlos Beltran is having his best home run season since 2007, the third best in his 15-year career, and has tallied his most RBIs since 2008. This story was published in the July-August 2005 issue of Sports Spectrum. It would make perfect sense if Carlos Beltran were just a little uncomfortable in New York. Actually, it’s strange that he’s not. Suddenly, he’s one of the biggest names in the biggest media market in the country. When he pulled on a Mets uniform before the first day of spring training, he had about 15 reporters watching his every move—a stark contrast to the scene a year ago when he was playing the final year of his contract in Kansas City...

From the Archives: The Saint Louis Cardinals

Three of baseballʼs most dominant hitters the last decade have joined together, but their confidence isnʼt in their ability on the field – itʼs in knowing that God is in control. The regular season hadn't even started, but St. Louis Cardinals' fans were excited about the possibilities as they watched their team in spring training during March. Albert Pujols. Matt Holliday. Lance Berkman. All together in one dangerous lineup. Pujols joined the Cardinals in 2001. Holliday was acquired from Oakland in 2009 and Berkman signed a one-year, $8 million deal with St. Louis in the off-season, coming over from the Yankees after becoming a free-agent. "Some fans are starting to call this new lineup that the Cardinals have 'Murderer's Row,'" says Cardinals Hall of Famer Lou Brock, referring to the famed 1927 New York Yankees lineup of Earle Combs, Mark Koenig, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Bob Meusel and Tony Lazzeri...

Daily Devotional: Monday, April 17 - The God Who Hears

God's desire is for us to call to Him in the midst of our troubles. He promises to hear our cries and answer.

Cardinals 1B Paul Goldschmidt wins NL MVP: 'I just feel like God has blessed me'

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is used to being in the MVP conversation....

Skip Schumaker named Marlins manager, sees coaching role as chance 'to impact others'

It seemed like only a matter of time before Skip Schumaker would become a major...

Catcher J.T. Realmuto helps Phillies reach NLCS while keeping Christ at the center

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto isn't an overly expressive guy on the field, but even...

All-Star Jake Cronenworth leans on the Lord as he helps Padres in MLB playoffs

No player saw action in more games or made more plate appearances for the San...

Pitcher Aaron Nola helps Phillies snap playoff drought as he trusts God's plan for his life

The last time the Philadelphia Phillies were in the playoffs, Aaron Nola had just graduated...

SS PODCAST: St. Louis Cardinals coach Skip Schumaker on faith, discipleship, teammates

THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH JASON ROMANO, FEATURING SKIP SCHUMAKER Skip Schumaker is...

Cardinals utility man Brendan Donovan leaning on his faith during breakout rookie season

The St. Louis Cardinals (81-57) are once again in the thick of the chase for...

Josiah Porter has one blind eye, hits LLWS grand slam with faith 'so critical to his story'

Hitting a grand slam in baseball is no easy feat at any level, let alone...