I commend St. Louis Cardinals baseball slugger Albert Pujols for speaking at a rally August 28 in Washington DC organized by controversial conservative FOX News commentator, Glenn Beck.
Politics aside, Pujols' appearance at the event speaks volumes about his character that goes beyond baseball. It shows a person standing up for what he believes in and doing it in a forum for maximum impact.
Pujols talked about his Christian faith and how he's using his high profile platform to spread the gospel and to bring people into the knowledge of Christ.
"As long as I'm alive, I'm going to continue to do the best I can to represent Jesus Christ," he said in one of several references to his faith. Pujols was presented with the Hope Award during a "Restoring Hope" rally that attracted more than 300,000 people.
Cardinals manager, Tony La Russa, introduced his star first baseman, later saying:
"His baseball exploits are not the reason that he is the Hope Award recipient," La Russa said. "What separates Albert is his total commitment to his life in and out of baseball, his commitment to his family ... his commitment to his faith and his tireless in- and out-of-season commitment to community."
Many have slammed Beck for his labeling of President Barack Obama as "racist" and for scheduling the event on the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's famous "I Have A Dream" speech in the same spot and day back in 1963.
An "anti-Cardinals" rally was held in St. Louis to denounce Pujols' and Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa's appearance at the rally, which the protesters termed political in nature and should have been off limits to Pujols and La Russa.
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