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2.08.07 Pujols Officialy
Becomes US Citizen
El Hombre's
biggest hit - Becoming a U.S. Citizen
February 9, 2007,
Joe Strauss
JUPITER, FLA. - He has been
named a National League All-Star at three
positions, and he has won a batting title,
a Most Valuable Player Award and a Gold Glove.
Now, for the first time, Cardinals
first baseman Albert Pujols will report to
spring training as a U.S. citizen.
Pujols, 27, a native of the
Dominican Republic, officially became a citizen
Wednesday when he was sworn in by U.S. District
Court judge Richard E. Webber. The ceremony
at the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse
culminated a nearly yearlong process.
Pujols received a perfect score
on the oral and written exam, according to
Chester Moyer, officer in charge of the U.S.
Citizen and Immigration Service's St. Louis
branch. The 10-15 minute exam included questions
about the American form of government, the
function of its three branches, how a judicial
proceeding works and the nation's history.
"We asked him a few extra
questions as a little extra test. He knew
everything," Moyer said.
Upon being told he had answered
perfectly, Pujols clinched his fist and beamed,
"I did it."
Pujols graduated from high
school in Independence in 1998, and the Cardinals
selected him in the 13th round of the 1999
draft. In six major league seasons, El Hombre
has amassed 250 home runs, 758 RBIs and a
.332 average. He was named the National League's
most valuable player in 2005 and last season
was runner-up for the third time.
Pujols applied for citizenship
last year, Moyer said. A background check
was required. Moyer described Pujols' check
as "real clean."
Pujols prepared for Wednesday's
exam with his wife, Deidre, as his tutor.
The Cardinals slugger took the oath surrounded
by about 20 family and friends, including
a number of employees from his restaurant,
Pujols 5.
Those who have earned citizenship
typically take the oath in groups of 70 to
75 at ceremonies held twice monthly, according
to Jim Woodward, clerk of the U.S. District
Court. Arrangements were made for a special
ceremony for Pujols because he is scheduled
to arrive in Florida this weekend for spring
training. The ceremony was open to the public
but was not advertised.
Webber addressed Pujols for
about 20 minutes regarding the rights and
responsibilities of citizenship. Woodward
said, "When it was over, he looked very
pleased."
Neither Pujols nor his agent,
Dan Lozano, could be reached for comment Thursday.
Reprinted with permission
of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, copyright
2007.
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