Celebrity Byte

What impact do you see videogames, especially more mass market games like The Bigs, having on growing the sport not just in North America, but around the world?

I don't think The Bigs is going to change the sport of baseball, but I think it might get kids more interested in baseball around the world. There are a lot of players coming out of Latin America and they can play these videogames too. It's a sport they can choose to play. Some of the countries in Latin America are focused more on soccer, but any time you can bring baseball and a positive image to kids, I think it's good.

Albert Pujols gives 110 percent and makes the catch. Photo by Mike Ehrmann.

Are there a lot of gamers on your team and if so, who are they and what do they play?

Yeah. Antonio Reyes, Adam Waniright, Brad Thompson. We have some guys that are always playing games and I think they're going to enjoy this game a lot.

Did you ever play video games?

I played video games when I was a little boy, but not that much. I was more interested in being outside and playing baseball. I've played Backyard Baseball with my son.

Do you notice a young generation of ballplayers with video game experience impacting the league?

I think right now, we're in an era of technology and there are teenagers and college kids who play a lot of video games and it's something that they don't seem to ever give up as they grow older. The technology just keeps getting better and makes it even more fun to play.

Albert Pujols celebrates winning the 2006 World Series in October, 2006. Photo by Mike Ehrmann.

What's the greatest thing about playing in the Majors?

It's almost like a dream come true to first be in the big leagues and to be named an All-Star, and now get to be on the cover of two video games? Being in a class where I can reach people is an honor. This is something that you dream about when you're a little boy and it takes a lot of hard work. If you don't put a lot of hard work in, you don't get here.

Can you talk about the Albert Pujols Celebrity Golf Tournament?

We do a lot of events in and around St. Louis during the course of the season. Our goal is to give back to the community both here and in Latin America. That's how I grew up, and that's how my wife grew up. Through those people and the help and the support that the people in the Dominican Republic and the people of St. Louis give me every year, I'm just blessed.