8.26.07: Hitters and Splitters Scores a Strike

As Albert Pujols made his way around a busy and bustling Brunswick Bowl on the night of August 26, the standard posse of television cameras followed him and police escorts could be seen strategically placed throughout the Chesterfield bowling alley.

But for the boys and young men inside, the Pujols Family Foundation's second Father & Son Hitters and Splitters event was simply the chance to say hi to their pal Albert and knock down a few pins with friends old and new.

"He's my buddy!" hollered Ethan Schroeder when Albert came to greet him, and they shared a powerful hug and a big high five.

Fresh from the ballpark after helping the Cardinals to a big 4-1 win against the Atlanta Braves, Albert made sure to greet and shake hands with each of the fathers and their sons with Down syndrome. Over 100 families attended.

"This is a great event, I'm glad they have it. Albert is such a tremendous guy. He's not just a great ballplayer, but a tremendous guy," said father Eric Mosely of University City. "Emeric has been excited about coming ever since he went last year. I just like to watch him have fun and be happy."

"Look, there's Albert, right there," said Emeric, 27, who showed off his new personalized T-shirt, which read: "Ozzie was No. 1 but Albert has the power of 5."

Last year, Emeric had twice told Albert that his favorite player was Ozzie Smith. "So we worked on it and this year we got it right," said a laughing Eric, who had a matching shirt made for himself.

The sons ranged in age from about 2 to well into adulthood, and the event not only allowed many families and friends to catch up with each other but also allowed some of the younger fathers a chance to meet new friends and learn more about what the future holds for their special sons.

"It's very encouraging to see that there's a lot of potential for these kids," said Patrick Brown of Ladue, who's son Maxwell is 2. "It's a whole community. All these families and all these kids know each other from other events, and they see each other and talk about all the places they go. It's a lot of fun to see."

Lace Images helped capture the event for each of the families by providing a professional photograph for each of the fathers and sons. And a visit by Fredbird as well as Mickey Carroll, best known as one of the Munchkins in the original Wizard of Oz, created a buzz.

Pizza from Imo's, ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery and goodies from McAlister's Deli were also a hit. Boy Scout Troop 677 offered arts and crafts and cookie decorating as well.

The auction

An amazing array of items was also available at the silent auction. Drawing the greatest attention were a Pittsburgh Steelers helmet signed by members of the Steel Curtain and a pair of Albert Pujols game-used batting gloves.

Julian Moffett, a fifth-grader from New Jersey who was in town for the Cardinals' series, said he had $5,400 to spend after "getting rid of all my stuff" at a garage sale. He placed the winning bids for the helmet, which included the signatures of "Mean" Joe Greene, Dwight White and Ernie Helms, and the batting gloves.

"I'm going to put the helmet right in my room in my big trophy case with my Michael Jordan signed basketball and Tom Brady signed jersey," said Moffett just before Albert came over to give him a big high-five and tease him about his moppy hairstyle.

Nick Bellon, a principal of Clayton-based BryanMark Financial Group, also had a big night, placing the top bid for a five-day, four-night trip to Germany for he and his fiancé, who are getting married in November. And he was just as excited, if not more, to land an item autographed by former Cardinals standout Tom Pagnozzi.

Other items of interest at the auction, which helped raise a total of $11,000 for the whole night , were a Barry Sanders-signed helmet, a ball signed by David Eckstein, one of Albert's game-worn hats, a Reggie Bush-signed Saints helmet, an Ernie Banks-signed jersey, a Prince Fielder-signed bat and a ball signed by Phillies star first baseman Ryan Howard.

The volunteers

As the auction came to a close, the overhead lights dimmed and the strobes came on and the music really started to pump. Numerous volunteers that were working at each of the lanes got the boys together to dance to tunes such as the Cha Cha Slide.

Among the volunteers was Breanna Smith, a college student from California who was serving at the event through the program at Mercy Ministries.

"This is just awesome, the kids are having a blast, it's really incredible," said Smith.

Shawn Hoskin, 22, looking extremely dapper in a suit he had on from church earlier in the day, said of the night: "It's fun. (I got to) make cookies. (And I) got to see Dee Dee (Albert's wife, Deidre Pujols)."

"Shawn's been talking about this since he got his invitation," said his dad, Ron Hoskin of the Central West End. "He remembers how much fun he had last year and he couldn't wait to come back. … It's always great when you get the opportunity to meet other young Down syndrome children and mingle with other parents of children with Down syndrome and network as well as talk to Albert."

At the close of the event, each family received a red and black Nike backpack with the Pujols Family Foundation logo embroidered into the nylon. Stuffed inside were a plethora of gifts, including a voucher for tickets to a Cardinals game next season, a devotional book for children, a leather baseball bracelet with "Pujols 5," Michael W. Smith's CD "Healing Rain," a DVD commemorating the Cardinals 2006 World Series run, many coupons and an Albert Pujols autographed Pujols Family Foundation card.

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