Sweet Lu

too true there. i remember when i was cool. now i am the uncool dad. lol

how you like it so far?

oh yummmmmmmmm only thing better is a bannana cream pie

jusrt hated how it was done for tv. one thing with the ruyal wedding as that was being recorded as it happened. this will be like ehr sisters where the ceremony kepty havign to stop and second takes done, etc. jsut makes it seem fake. but yes, she looks great.

yep. it's like they see their lost youth and chance of fame through their kids and have no problem using them

That photoshoot was the last nail to Carine Roitfeld's coffin (as the editor in chief for Vogue Paris). I really don't understand people who kept defending those photos saying it's "little girls dressing up". Really? 10-year-olds can make perfect make up and hair and strike particular poses? Uhmm it didn't look like an innocent game of girls being all clumsy when trying on mum's shoes and wearing her long dresses etc. Anyway, I have a serious question for Americans here about kids' pageant. Aren't these things regularly protested nowadays? I mean, I guess kids beauty pageants bring lots of money each year so it would be difficult to ban them but in alot of places, yes they are. but still plenty out there that feel it is ok to dress your kid up like a street walker and parade them around like trophies to be won.

willing to help you

hungry

Awards2002 – South Atlantic League All-Star SS[citation needed] 2004 – NY Yankees Minor League Player of the Year[26] 2005 – MLB All-Rookie All-Star 2B[citation needed] 2005 – This Year in Baseball Awards: Rookie of the Year[citation needed] 2006 – Selected to the 2006 American League All Star team 2007 – Had his Class A (Staten Island Yankees) uniform number (17) retired.[27] 2010 – American League Player of the Month for April.[19] 2010 – American League All-Star, starting Second Baseman 2010 – American League Gold Glove Award, Second Base 2010 – American League Silver Slugger Award, Second Base 2011 – MLB Home Run Derby Champion Career statistics (through August 3, 2011) Batting average .308 Home runs 136 Runs batted in 584 Hits 1,214 Teams New York Yankees (2005–present) Career highlights and awards 3× All-Star (2006, 2010, 2011) 2× Silver Slugger Award winner (2006, 2010) World Series champion (2009) Gold Glove Award winner (2010) 2× American League Player of the Month (September 2006, April 2010) 2011 Home Run Derby winner

Robinson José Canó Mercedes (Spanish pronunciation: [kaˈno]; born October 22, 1982) is a Dominican baseball player who currently plays as a second baseman for the New York Yankees. Family and early lifeHis father, José Canó, signed with the Houston Astros in 1980, and pitched in six games for the Astros in 1989. Robinson was named after baseball legend Jackie Robinson.[1] Canó grew up in the Dominican Republic though he lived in New Jersey for three years. He spent seventh, eighth and ninth grades in the Newark school system, attending Barringer High School for one year.[2] When his family moved back to the Dominican Republic, Canó attended San Pedro Apostol High School in San Pedro de Macoris, where he played for the school's baseball and basketball teams.[3] In the Dominican Winter Baseball League he plays for his hometown team Estrellas Orientales. Playing careerAfter graduating high school, Canó was signed by the Yankees in 2001 as an amateur free agent and began playing in their minor league system. He was viewed as a top prospect during his time in the minor leagues.[4][5] He was one of five prospects offered to the Texas Rangers to complete the Yankees' acquisition of Alex Rodriguez in 2004.[6] The Rangers selected Joaquín Árias instead.[7] Canó was nearly traded two other times by the Yankees in its attempts to obtain Carlos Beltrán from the Kansas City Royals, which was never realized, and Randy Johnson from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Even though the later deal was made, Canó was not part of it because he was rejected by the Diamondbacks.[8] [edit] 2005Canó was called up to the Major Leagues on May 3, 2005, while hitting .333 in 108 at bats in AAA, and took over second base from Tony Womack. Canó belted his first career grand slam this season as well. He finished second in American League Rookie of the Year balloting to Huston Street of the Oakland Athletics.[3] Canó finished the year, however, with the third-worst walk percentage in the league, 3.0%.[9] During 2005, manager Joe Torre took some heat for comparing Canó to Hall of Famer Rod Carew. When pressed, Torre clarified that he only meant that Canó "reminded" him of Carew, in terms of his build, presence at the plate, and smoothness in his swing. Torre assured the media that he did not necessarily expect Canó to become as great a player as Carew.[10] [edit] 2006In 2006, Canó led the AL All-Star balloting at second base, but could not play after being placed on the disabled list for a strained hamstring. After his return from injury, however, on August 8, 2006, Canó led the league in batting average, doubles, and runs batted in.[citation needed] During late September 2006 Canó accumulated enough at-bats to once again qualify for the AL batting race. Canó was rewarded the AL Player of the Month award for September.[3] Canó finished 2006 with the third best batting average in the AL (.342, just 2 points behind teammate shortstop Derek Jeter and five points behind Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer), and 9th in the league in doubles (41). He also led the AL in batting average on the road (.364; 96/264) and after the 6th inning (.353; 55/156). He had the third-worst walk percentage in the league at 3.6%.[11] Canó finished 22nd in American League MVP voting with 3 votes. Derek Jeter finished second.[12] [edit] 2007Canó gave up his number 22 to Roger Clemens, choosing to wear the number 24, a reversal of Jackie Robinson's number 42, in tribute to him.[13] After a slow start to the 2007 season which saw him hit a meager .249 through May 29, Canó found his stroke batting .385 in the month of July with 6 HR and 24 RBI to raise his season average to .300 by the end of the month. He finished 2007 sixth in the league in games played (160), ninth in triples (7), and tenth in hits (189), doubles (41), and at bats (670). He was the only batter in the top 10 in doubles in the AL in both 2006 and 2007. 2008 Canó batting for the Yankees in 2008.On January 24, 2008, Canó signed a contract extension for up to six years and $55 million. In the new deal, Canó will make $28 million over the next four years in the 2008 through 2011 seasons. The deal also includes options for the Yankees for the 2012 and 2013 seasons, during which Canó could earn an additional $27 million[14] If the Yankees decline his contract option for the 2011 season, he will receive an additional $2 million. Canó struggled early in the 2008 season, hitting .151 in April with just 7 RBIs. He improved later in the year, hitting .300 from May through August. Notably, in Yankee Stadium's final season, Canó recorded the final walk off game winning hit in Yankee Stadium history by singling in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th inning in the Yankees 1–0 victory over the Orioles on September 20, 2008. In the final game at Yankee Stadium the next night (September 21, 2008), Canó recorded the final RBI in Stadium history with his sacrifice fly in the 7th inning, scoring Brett Gardner with the Stadium's final run. Canó missed only five games over the 2007 and 2008 seasons, and was one of only three Yankees to hit a home run while serving as a pinch hitter.[15] 2009 Canó in August 2009Canó hit .320 with 204 hits, 25 home runs and 85 RBIs.[16] Canó ranked in the top ten among players in the American league in hits, extra base hits, total bases, at bats, doubles, batting average, runs scored, and triples. It was his first year hitting over 20 HRs. His 200th hit against the Boston Red Sox to clinch the AL East Division made him and Derek Jeter the first middle infield duo in MLB history to both have 200 hits in the same season.[17] Cano on May 8, 2009His 204 hits ranked 3rd for hits during the 2009 season, and 1st among all second basemen. Canó also led second basemen in batting average.[16] Canó also played in 161 games which was the most games played by a player during the 2009 season.[16] He also hit a 3-run walk-off home run on August 28 against the White Sox. This was his first career walk-off home run. He also threw out Shane Victorino for the last out of the 2009 World Series. He was ranked 41st on the player rater at ESPN.com. [edit] 2010With the departure of Hideki Matsui, Canó was moved into the fifth spot in the batting order.[18] For his early season performance, Canó was named the American League Player of the Month for April 2010.[19] He was elected as the starting second baseman in the 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and was selected to participate in the 2010 Home Run Derby;[20] however, he withdrew due to a minor injury.[21] He finished the season with a milestone 200 hits and 100+ RBIs (109). Canó has performed ably in the middle of the lineup, replacing Matsui and Alex Rodriguez while Rodriguez was on the disabled list, as he has improved his batting with runners in scoring position.[22] Canó hit .343 with 4 home runs and 6 RBIs in the 2010 postseason. He finished the season with a .996 fielding percentage, the best for a second baseman in MLB, committing only 3 errors in 158 games. He turned 114 double plays and recorded 341 putouts. Canó won the American League Gold Glove Award for second basemen in 2010, the first by a Yankee second baseman since Bobby Richardson's five-year run from 1961–1965. Canó also won the American League Silver Slugger Award for second basemen with a batting average of .319, 29 home runs and 109 runs batted in.[23] In addition to that, he would finish 3rd in the voting for American League MVP. [edit] 2011Canó had a rough first half to his defensive season. By July, he had committed twice as many errors as he had in his entire Gold Glove-winning 2010 season, in which he had three. Canó was selected for the 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game as a starting second baseman and was chosen to participate in the 2011 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby. With his father pitching, Canó won the derby, setting a record for home runs in the final round with 12 home runs despite having an additional four outs remaining.[24] Facing the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on August 10, Canó fell a single short of hitting for the cycle. This marked the second time in his career that he missed the cycle by a single (the first being in 2005).[25]

Male Athletes ryan braun: http://www.bellazon.com/main/index.php?showtopic=38640 prince Fielder http://www.bellazon.com/main/index.php?showtopic=38639 albert pujols http://www.bellazon.com/main/index.php?showtopic=38638 Male Athletes Joey Votto http://www.bellazon.com/main/index.php?showtopic=38642 and one more for now: Male Atheltes Robinson Cano http://www.bellazon.com/main/index.php?showtopic=38643 Done. Post Edited by Joe > Average

Career highlights and awards 4x NL All Star (2008–11) 3x Silver Slugger Award, OF (2008–10) 2x NL Rookie of the Month (June 2007 & July 2007) 3x NL Player of the Month (July 2007, July 2008, April 2011) 3x NL Player of the Week (May 4–10, 2009, August 1–8, 2010, & April 18–24, 2011) NL Rookie of the Year (2007) Sporting News NL Rookie of the Year (2007) Baseball America Rookie of the Year (2007) Players Choice NL Most Outstanding Rookie (2007) Baseball Prospectus Internet Baseball NL Rookie of the Year (2007) Topps Rookie All Star Third Baseman (2007) 3x Sporting News NL All Star, OF (2008–10) Ranked # 16 (2011), # 22 (2010), and # 32 (2009) on the Sporting News' list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball Major league rookie slugging percentage record (.634, 2007) Led NL in slugging percentage (.634, 2007) Led NL in extra base hits (83, 2008) Led NL in hits (203, 2009) Led major league outfielders in fielding percentage (1.000, 2008) Led NL left fielders in putouts (275, 2008; 304, 2009) Led NL left fielders in fielding percentage (.994, 2009) Led NL left fielders in range factor (2.06, 2009)

Ryan Joseph Braun (born November 17, 1983, in Mission Hills, Los Angeles, California),[1] nicknamed The Hebrew Hammer, is an American right-handed Major League Baseball All-Star left fielder with the Milwaukee Brewers.[2] He played college baseball at the University of Miami. He won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2007, after leading the National League (NL) in slugging percentage, while setting a major league rookie record. He also won the Sporting News NL Rookie of the Year, the Baseball America Rookie of the Year, the Baseball Prospectus Internet Baseball NL Rookie of the Year, and the Players Choice NL Most Outstanding Rookie Awards. Over the prior decade, the only other NL hitter to win all five awards was Albert Pujols, in 2001. Braun was voted a starting NL All Star outfielder in 2008 through 2011, won the 2008–10 NL Outfielder Silver Slugger Awards, and was the starting left fielder for the USA team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He also led the NL in extra-base hits in 2008, and in hits for the 2009 season. Braun was named to the Sporting News' list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball, ranking No. 32 on the list in 2009, No. 22 in 2010, and No. 16 in 2011 High schoolBraun was a four-year letterman on the Granada Hills High School baseball team, and three-year team captain and MVP. He played shortstop, and until his junior year he also pitched. As a sophomore in 2000, he recorded the highest batting average of his prep career (.456), while posting a .654 on base percentage. During his junior year he hit .421, with a .668 OBP. Braun capped off his high school career by batting .451 as a senior, with an OBP of .675, and breaking the school record for career home runs (with 25).[4] He was a two-time all-area selection by the Los Angeles Times, and a three-time choice by the Los Angeles Daily News. Braun was rated the sixth-best shortstop prospect in the country by Team One Baseball as a senior,[5] and rated among the top 100 overall prospects by Baseball America. He graduated in 2002, but went undrafted as he told teams that he intended to go to college.[6][7] Academically, he excelled as well, getting only one B (in AP Chemistry).[8] [edit] CollegeOffered scholarships to Stanford University and UC-Berkeley, he instead attended the University of Miami (on an academic scholarship, due to his high high school grades).[6] He chose Miami for its academics, its athletics, and its social scene, noting: "I think the girls were the deal closer on the recruiting trip."[7][9] There, Braun was named "National Freshman of the Year," as well as a first-team "Freshman All-American," by Baseball America in 2003. He was also named first-team All-American by Collegiate Baseball.[6] He clinched the awards by batting .364 with 76 RBIs and 17 home runs. As a sophomore shortstop/DH, Braun hit .335 and slugged .606, stealing 21 bases. During his junior year, his final and most successful at Miami, Braun batted .396 with 18 home runs, a .726 slugging percentage, 76 RBIs, and 23 stolen bases. He was ninth in slugging, and 10th in RBIs, in NCAA Division I, and was named to Baseball America's 2005 College All-American Team as the DH. He moved from shortstop to third base during the year. His performance earned Braun a spot as one of the finalists for the Golden Spikes Award, the most prestigious individual award in college baseball,[6] and the Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Player of the Year award.[10] [edit] Minor leagues: 2005–07The Milwaukee Brewers drafted Braun in the first round (fifth overall) in the 2005 major league draft as a third baseman, and Braun signed for $2.45 million.[11] Assigned to the Helena Brewers in the Advanced Rookie Pioneer League in 2005, Braun batted .341/.383/.585 in 10 games. He was then promoted to the West Virginia Power in the Class A South Atlantic League, where he hit .355/.396/.645, and was rated the fifth-best prospect in the league.[12] His most memorable moment there was when he hit a walk-off grand slam to lead the Power into the playoffs.[13] Following the 2005 season he was rated by Baseball America as the Brewers' Best Minor League Hitter for Average, the fifth-best prospect in the South Atlantic League, and the third-best prospect in the Brewers organization. Braun began 2006 playing for the A-Advanced Brevard County Manatees, where he earned a spot in the Florida State League All-Star game, and played in the All-Star Futures Game in Pittsburgh. He was rated the top third base prospect in the FSL, and Baseball America rated him the best batting prospect in the league. On June 21, Braun was promoted to the Class AA Huntsville Stars (Alabama) of the Southern League. In July he was voted the Brewers' Organizational Player of the Month, and at the end of the season he was voted the sixth-best prospect in the Southern League.[14] Collectively between Class A and Class AA, Braun finished with a .289 average, 22 home runs, 77 RBIs, and 26 stolen bases. He received the 2006 Robin Yount Performance Award as the Milwaukee Brewers Minor League player of the year.[15] In 2006 in the Arizona Fall League he hit .326/.396/.641 in 92 at-bats for the Scottsdale Scorpions, and was rated one of the top three prospects in the league.[16] He led the AFL with 16 extra-base hits, tied for tops with 9 doubles, ranked second in slugging percentage and HR/AB ratio (1/15), tied for second in home runs (6), tied for third in RBIs (25), and was voted to the AFL All-Prospects Team.[17] Baseball America rated Braun the Brewers' # 2 prospect for 2007.[14] He began the year with the Nashville Sounds of the AAA Pacific Coast League. Before being called up to the majors in late May, in 113 at bats he led the PCL with a .726 slugging percentage while batting .354 (6th), with 10 home runs (T-2nd) and a .426 on base percentage (5th). At the same time, Craig Counsell and Tony Graffanino were batting a combined .214 while playing third base for the major league club.[18] [edit] Major leagues: Milwaukee Brewers (2007–present)[edit] GeneralBraun has used as his at-bat songs "Superstar" by Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco,[19] "Go Getta" by Young Jeezy and R. Kelly,[20] "My Life" by The Game, "Turn My Swag On" by Soulja Boy,[21] "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson, "Still Fly" by Page featuring Drake, "All The Way Turnt Up" by Roscoe Dash featuring Soulja Boy, "Beamer, Benz, or Bentley" by Lloyd Banks featuring Juelz Santana, and "Power" and "H.A.M." by Kanye West. [edit] 2007: Rookie of the Year[edit] Spring trainingThe Brewers brought Braun to spring training in 2007.[16] Their regular third baseman Corey Koskie, suffering from post-concussion syndrome, missed all of spring training, and ultimately missed the entire season.[22] While the Brewers intended to platoon veterans Counsell and Graffanino to start the season, they also gave Braun an extensive look. In his first game, Braun went 4–5 with a grand slam, a three-run home run, a double, a single, and a stolen base, along with seven RBIs.[23] In 11 games he batted .353 with a .912 slugging percentage, tying for 10th in the majors in home runs (5), and second in RBIs (15), despite having missed seven games.[24] He also committed four throwing errors. Sending him to minor league camp on March 20, Brewers' manager Ned Yost commented: "He's really done a nice job offensively, but he still needs to polish some of his defense. He knows what he needs to do. He's really, really close."[25] [edit] Regular seasonIn 2007 Braun had what some have called one of the most dominant rookie seasons in the history of the game.[26] Called up on May 24 by the Brewers,[27] he hit his first major league home run two nights later, off Padres' starter Justin Germano.[28] His rookie hazing took place on his first full road trip after being called up. "I had to carry bags. I had to sing on the bus." With headphones to his iPod plugged into one ear, he sang "On Bended Knee" and "Water Runs Dry" by Boyz II Men. "I was into it, but I don't think my voice was too great. I feel like I'm going to have to dress up soon."[7] That did happen later; in September he was inducted into the annual rite of Brewers' rookies being required to put on silly costumes, and wore a hot dog costume for a team flight to Atlanta.[29] Braun was voted the NL Rookie of the Month for June, after leading all NL rookies with 21 RBIs. He hit six home runs, tying him for first among NL rookies, while recording a .716 slugging percentage and a .435 on base percentage.[30] In July he was voted the National League Rookie of the Month for the second straight month, as well as the NL Player of the Month (marking the first time a player won both awards in the same month). He hit a league-leading 11 home runs, with 25 RBIs, while batting .345.[31] In mid-August, Yost moved Braun from third in the lineup to cleanup, switching him with Prince Fielder. The move was expected to allow Braun to steal more, because when he batted in front of Fielder, it did not make sense for him to run and risk getting thrown out on steal attempts. In addition, if he were successful stealing, teams could simply counter by walking Fielder. The switch also allowed Yost to move left-handed Geoff Jenkins up in the batting order, behind the right-handed Braun.[32] At the end of August, however, Yost reversed the switch.[33] On September 9, the Brewers became the third team in major league history to open a game with three straight home runs, as Rickie Weeks, J. J. Hardy, and Braun connected off Cincinnati Reds' starting pitcher Phil Dumatrait in consecutive at bats. "That was pretty cool," Braun said. "I was never part of something like that before."[34] In September, as the Brewers sought in vain to capture the pennant, Braun was third in the NL in runs (27) and RBIs (29), and tied for 5th in home runs (9), while batting .308 with a .644 slugging percentage.[35] [edit] Season statsIn 2007, during which he played in 113 games and had 492 plate appearances, Braun led the National League with a .634 slugging percentage. He set a new all-time major league rookie slugging percentage record, breaking the record set by Mark McGwire, who slugged .618 for Oakland in 1987.[36] He was also fifth in the league in at bats per home run (13.3; behind Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder, Barry Bonds, and Adam Dunn) and OPS (1.004; behind Bonds, Chipper Jones, Fielder, and Matt Holliday), tied for fifth in home runs (34; behind Fielder, Howard, Dunn, and Holliday), and eighth in batting average (.324) among hitters with at least 490 plate appearances.[37] In addition, he had extra base hits in 13.4% of his plate appearances (more than the league leader), was tied for third in at bats per RBI (4.6), and was tied for fifth in "bases taken" with 19 (advanced on fly balls, passed balls, wild pitches, balks, etc.).[38] He also led the Brewers in batting average and slugging percentage, and was second behind Fielder in home runs, runs (91), and RBIs (97), tied for second in triples (6), and third in obp (.370) and steals (15), despite not having played in the first 48 games of the season.[39] Braun obliterated the club rookie records of 28 home runs and 81 RBIs, set by Fielder in 2006.[40] A projection of his statistics over 162 games put him at 49 homers and 139 RBIs.[41] Braun had the eighth-highest batting average in the National League in 2007 among players with 490 or more plate appearances. He finished with 492 plate appearances, 10 short of the number needed to qualify for the NL batting title. Though he didn't have a high enough batting average to take advantage of it, an exception to the qualification rule allows a player to be awarded the title if he falls short of 502 plate appearances, but would still have the highest batting average if enough hitless at-bats were added to his total to enable him to reach the 502 mark. "My family and friends know my stats more than I do," Braun said. "I'll look at that stuff at the end of the season."[42] [edit] Against leftiesBraun had even greater success against left-handed pitchers. He had the best batting average (.450), obp (.516), and slugging percentage (.964; over 200 points ahead of the second-best SP) of all major league hitters with at least 125 plate appearances against lefties, and was tied for second in the major leagues in home runs (15).[43][44] "I like those guys," Braun joked.[45] Braun credits his father. "I see the ball pretty well off lefties," he said. "My dad is left-handed, so growing up, the majority of time, I took batting practice off of him."[46] [edit] Home run pace"I was always small. I was a leadoff hitter growing up, until I was 13 or 14 years old and had a little growth spurt and started hitting home runs." – Ryan Braun[47] On July 7 Braun became the fastest in Brewer history to hit 10 major league home runs, hitting his 10th in his 38th game, shattering the previous record of 61.[48] He hit his 15th home run in the 50th game of his career, and his 20th in his 64th game, making him the fastest to 15 and 20 since Pujols reached those milestones in the 49th and 63rd games of his career in 2001.[49][50] He was also the fastest to 20 home runs in Brewers history. He hit his 25th home run in his 82nd game, quicker than any major leaguer since Mark McGwire in 1987,[42] becoming just the 21st player ever to hit that many homers as a rookie.[51] He broke the Brewer rookie record of 28 home runs on September 9.[52] Braun hit his 30th home run in his 94th game. No player had hit as many homers in so few at-bats to start his career since McGwire hit 30 in 84 games during the 1986 and 1987 seasons.[53] His 34 home runs for the season were just 4 behind the NL rookie record of 38 home runs, shared by Frank Robinson (1956) and Wally Berger (1930),[54] and were the fifth-highest total ever for an NL rookie.[55] While he was hitting home runs, he wasn't taking many walks. He was one of only six players to conclude a 30-homer season with more homers than walks (34 HR, 29 BB), the others being Alfonso Soriano (39–23 in 2002), Garret Anderson (35–24 in 2000), Pudge Rodriguez (35–24 in 1999), Joe Crede (30–28 in 2006), and José Guillén (31–24 in 2003).[56] [edit] Season awardsBraun won the 2007 National League Rookie of the Year Award in a vote by 32 members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, two from each National League city. Braun beat out Troy Tulowitzki, 128 points to 126 points, in the closest NL vote since the system was revised in 1980.[57] Braun admitted that he had trouble sleeping at his Santa Monica condo the night before the announcement of the winner, wondering how it would turn out. "I finally got up around 6 a.m. and went for a jog, trying to work off some nervous energy," he said. "It's just incredible. It speaks to what Troy Tulowitzki did, also. It's very exciting."[58] In 2007, Braun led all NL rookies in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, extra base hits, home runs, and at bats per home run. He was second in RBIs and runs (behind Tulowitzki; 2 and 10 fewer, respectively, in 158 fewer at bats) and in triples (behind Hunter Pence), third in hits, and tied for fourth in stolen bases.[59] He was fourth in strikeouts (behind Young, Tulowitzki, and Mark Reynolds; with the highest strikeout ratio of rookies with at least 400 at bats, at 24.83%; Young was 2nd, at 24.78%), 3rd to Carlos Ruiz (in 77 more at bats) and Tulowitzki (in 158 fewer at bats) in grounding into double plays (13), and tied for fifth in caught stealing (5).[59] Since 1947, Pujols was the only other NL rookie to hit at least .320 with 30 homers.[41] Of all prior NL Rookies of the Year, only Pujols and Willie McCovey hit for higher batting averages in their rookie year.[60] Braun was also voted the 2007 NL Sporting News Rookie of the Year by 488 major league players and 30 managers.[61][62] In addition, he was awarded the 2007 Baseball America Rookie of the Year Award.[40] He won the Baseball Prospectus 2007 Internet Baseball NL Rookie of the Year Award, with 666 first place votes, versus 487 for Tulowitzki and 16 for Pence.[63] Braun was also voted the 2007 Players Choice NL Most Outstanding Rookie, in a vote by his fellow major league players.[64] "When your peers recognize you with an award, that's great," he said. "Those are the guys out there on the field with you, competing against you. Their opinion counts the most, for a player."[65] Braun was a unanimous selection as the 2007 Topps Rookie All-Star Third Baseman, in balloting of Major League managers.[66] He was also voted the Brewers' "Top Newcomer" by the Milwaukee chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.[67] In voting for the NL Most Valuable Player award, Braun received two 10th-place votes.[68] [edit] 2008: All Star and Silver Slugger[edit] Spring trainingIn spring training, Braun hit .368/.431/.719, and tied for 3rd in the NL in home runs with 5, and 7th in RBIs with 16, while playing in only 22 of the Brewers' 29 games.[69] Braun; 2008[edit] Regular seasonAt the beginning of the season it was anticipated that Braun would hit cleanup, behind Fielder, giving him more opportunities to steal, but during the season he batted third the vast majority of the time.[70][71][72][73] In May, Braun was second in the league in home runs (11), while batting .322. He drove in 134 runs in his first 162 games in the majors, the highest total of any active player, one RBI ahead of Pujols.[74][75] On June 17, Braun drove in his 152nd career RBI, in 182 games. He reached the 150-RBI milestone faster than any Major Leaguer since Boston's Walt Dropo needed only 155 games from 1949–51.[76] Braun was named the NL's Player of the Month for July, after batting .366 for the month (6th in the league) with 9 home runs (3rd), and 23 RBIs (7th). He also led the league with 76 total bases and 18 extra base hits, and was among NL leaders with 37 hits (2nd), 3 triples (2nd), a 1.163 OPS (3rd), and a .752 slugging percentage (4th). He had back-to-back 4-hit games, just the 5th player in team history to accomplish that feat.[77] "It's a huge honor," Braun said. "The way I look at it, you're the MVP of the National League for that month. It's definitely a big accomplishment.[78] As of August 8, Braun had had one of the best major league career starts ever. He was first, in 227 games to start a career, with 558 total bases and 133 extra base hits, second with 64 home runs, and tied for second with 181 RBIs.[79] On August 9, Braun strained the intercostal muscles around his oblique ribcage. That led to him missing a number of games,[80] and shorten his swing for a number of weeks.[81] After returning, on September 25 Braun hit his first grand slam in "grand" fashion. With the bases loaded, he delivered a 2-out, 2–2 pitch from the Pirates' Jesse Chavez into the left field bleachers of Miller Park in the bottom of the 10th inning, winning the game 5–1, and keeping the Brewers' 2008 post-season hopes alive. Three days later, Braun helped put the Brewers into the post-season for the first time since 1982, by hitting a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 8th against the Chicago Cubs. The homer gave the Brewers the lead and was the difference in the game, giving the Brewers a one-game lead over the New York Mets for the NL wild card. All Star Game. Braun was a starting outfielder for the NL in the 2008 All Star Game. He finished first in fan voting among NL outfielders, and second among all NL players, with 3,835,840 votes, behind only Chase Utley of the Phillies (3,889,602).[82] He also finished first in player voting.[83] Braun was the first Brewers outfielder voted to start an All Star game.[84] He was one of only seven first-time starters in the game, and–along with Kosuke Fukudome and Josh Hamilton–one of only three who had not reached the major leagues until 2007 or 2008.[82] Braun; 2008Home Run Derby. Braun came in third in the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium. "It's something you dream about," Braun said. "That's as big a stage as you can get on. Obviously, the lights are going to really bright that night, so it's going to be a lot of fun."[85] Braun had his friend and agent, Nez Balelo, a former Seattle Mariners minor league infielder, pitch to him.[86][87] Braun reached the upper deck a handful of times, and his longest homer was estimated at 448 feet.[88] He hit seven home runs in each of the first and second rounds, finishing with 14 (three behind finalist Justin Morneau, who hit five in the final round to win the Derby).[89] Home Run Pace. On June 3, Braun became the third-fastest major league player to reach 50 career home runs. He did so in 171 career games (the only players to reach that plateau sooner were Rudy York and Mark McGwire).[90][91] On July 8, Braun hit his 56th home run in his 200th game, the third-highest total ever in a major leaguer's initial 200 games, behind McGwire (59) and Rudy York (59).[92] In early August Braun hit his 30th home run, becoming just the second player in MLB history to hit 30 or more homers in each of his first two seasons, joining Pujols.[81][93] Braun hit 71 home runs in his first two seasons, tying him with Pujols for fourth all-time. Joe DiMaggio tops the list with 75 home runs in 1936 and 1937, followed by Ralph Kiner (74), and Eddie Mathews (72).[79][94][95] Season Stats. In 2008, in 151 games Braun hit 37 home runs (tied for 4th in the NL, behind Ryan Howard, Adam Dunn, and Carlos Delgado), with 106 RBIs (9th), and batted .285 with a .553 slugging percentage (5th).[96] He also led the league with 83 extra base hits, and had 338 total bases (2nd in the NL), seven triples (6th), 16.5 at bats per home run (10th), and 611 at bats (10th).[97] 12.5% of his plate appearances were extra base hits (3rd in the NL; behind Ryan Ludwick and Pujols), he had 29 infield hits (7th), and he stole third base 6 times (9th).[98][99] Against starting pitchers, Braun hit .244 the first time he faced them in a game, .331 the second time, and .328 with a .672 slugging percentage the third time.[73] Braun led the Brewers in batting average, slugging percentage, triples, home runs, RBIs, extra base hits, total bases, at-bats-per-home run, OPS (.888), runs (92), and hits (174).[100] Post-season. Braun hit .313 in October against the Phillies in his first post-season series, which the Brewers lost 3–1. Contract. In March the Brewers renewed Braun's contract for $455,000, a $75,000 increase.[101] Braun then signed an 8-year, $45–$51 million contract extension (the total depending on his "Super 2" service-time ranking after the 2009 season) on May 15, 2008.[102] The contract is through the year 2015. The deal includes Braun's $455,000 salary for 2008, and a $2.3 million bonus in 2008. It could increase to $51 million through incentives. Braun also has a no-trade clause for the first four years, and then a limited no-trade clause allowing him to block deals to 12 teams from 2012–13, and 6 teams from 2014–15. The contract will keep Braun locked up through his age-31 season.[103] It was the largest contract in Brewers' history, surpassing Jeff Suppan's. It was also the largest contract in baseball history given to a player with less than three years' experience.[104] Braun's agent, Nez Balelo, crunched enough numbers to show him what he potentially could have made over the life of this contract if he had chosen not to sign it. "But the question I ultimately asked myself was, `What can't I buy with that amount of money?"' Braun said.[105] [edit] Season awardsBraun was voted to the 2008 NL Sporting News All Star Team. A panel of 41 major league general managers and assistant general managers chose the team.[106] He was also awarded the 2008 NL Outfielder Silver Slugger Award, determined annually by a vote of major league coaches and managers who select the top offensive performers at each position in both leagues. The award, sponsored by Louisville Slugger, is based on a combination of statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage, as well as the coaches' and managers' general impressions of a player's overall offensive value.[107] In voting for the 2008 NL MVP award, Braun was third (with 139 points),[108] behind Pujols and Ryan Howard, for which he received a $50,000 bonus.[109] [edit] 2009: All Star, Silver Slugger, and Team USAIn 2009 Braun was named to Sporting News' list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball, ranking No. 32 on the list. A panel of 100 baseball people, many of them members of the Hall of Fame and winners of major baseball awards, were polled to arrive at the list.[110] [edit] World Baseball ClassicBraun was invited to play for Team USA in 2009 in the second World Baseball Classic. "I'm really excited to get to represent my country," Braun said. "It's an honor just to get invited for the event."[111] He was the team's starting left fielder and batted .381, helping Team USA reach the semi-finals.[112][113] [edit] Regular season"One thing is for certain: You've got to tie Braun up from time to time. If you don't, he's going to feast on you."[114] – Chicago Cubs manager Lou Pinella, defending Ryan Dempster for hitting BraunBraun was named National League Player of the Week for May 4–10, after leading the NL with 12 RBIs for the week while hitting .458/.567/.958 with 3 home runs. He hit the second grand slam of his career and recorded a career-high six RBIs on May 6, and on May 9 he reached base in all five of his plate appearances.[115] Braun led all NL outfielders in fan voting for the All Star Game for the second year in a row, with 4,138,559 votes, ahead of Raúl Ibáñez (4,053,355) and Carlos Beltrán (2,812,295).[116] He was third among all NL vote-getters, trailing Pujols (5,397,734) and Chase Utley (5,027,029).[117] He was the first Brewer to be voted in as a starter in consecutive years since Yount (in 1982 and 1983), and along with Yount and Molitor (1980 and 1988) one of only three Brewers position players voted to start twice.[118][119] Braun started in right field, the first time he had ever played the position, and batted cleanup, going 0–2.[120] On October 3, Braun collected his 200th hit of the season.[121][122] He became the fourth Brewer in team history to reach 200 hits in a season, and the first in 18 years, joining Cecil Cooper, Paul Molitor, and Robin Yount.[123] He finished the season with an NL-leading 203 hits, becoming the first Brewer to lead his league in hits since Molitor topped the AL in 1991.[124] His .320 batting average at the end of the season was the highest by a Brewer since Jeff Cirillo hit .326 in 1999.[125] Braun was second all-time, with 79 home runs over his first two calendar years in the major leagues, to Phillies Hall of Famer Chuck Klein (83); ahead of third-place Joe DiMaggio and Mark McGwire (77).[126] If Braun continues to hit home runs at the rate he had hit them through July 1, 2009, he will reach 600 home runs in his 15th major league season.[127] In September Braun became the second-fastest active player to hit 100 home runs (behind only Ryan Howard), as he hit his 100th homer in his 400th major league game.[128] Later in the month, he became the second player in major league history (joining Pujols) to hit 30 or more home runs in each of his first three seasons.[129] Braun's 103 home runs in his first three Major League seasons are sixth-most in baseball history, behind Pujols (114), Mark Texiera (107), and three Hall of Famers—Kiner (114), Matthews (112), and Joe DiMaggio (107).[130] As in 2007, in 2009 Braun had even greater success against left-handed pitchers. Against them he had the second-best OBP (.475), slugging percentage (.723), and OPS (1.198), and third-best batting average (.395), of all NL hitters with at least 125 plate appearances against lefties.[131] In 2009, in addition to leading the NL in hits, Braun was 2nd in runs (113), 4th in RBIs (114), total bases (350), extra base hits (77), and hit by pitch (13), 7th in batting average (.320) and power-speed number (24.6), 8th in OPS (.937), 9th in slugging percentage (.551) and doubles (39), tied for 10th in triples (6), and tied for 11th in home runs (32).[132] He was also 4th in the league in infield hits (25).[133] He became only the second Brewer ever to hit 30 home runs and steal 20 bases in the same season.[134] Braun also became the eighth player in Major League history with at least 100 runs, 100 RBIs, 200 hits, 30 homers, 20 stolen bases, and a .300 average in the same season.[130] [edit] Season awardsBraun was voted to the 2009 NL Sporting News All Star Team, making the team for the second year in a row. He received votes from all 14 NL team executives who voted (along with Pujols and Utley, as Mauer was named on all AL ballots).[135] Braun was awarded the 2009 NL Outfielder Silver Slugger Award, winning it for the second year in a row.[130] He became the first Brewer since Molitor, more than two decades prior, to win a Silver Slugger Award in consecutive years. Cecil Cooper was the only other Brewer to have done it.[130] [edit] 2010: All Star and Silver SluggerBraun was named to Sporting News' 2010 list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball, ranking No. 22 on the list.[3] In 2010, Braun was elected a starting NL All Star outfielder for the third year in a row.[136] He led all Major League outfielders in All Star balloting for the third straight year, despite Milwaukee being the smallest media market in the major leagues, with 2,972,525 votes.[136][137] As in 2009, he received more votes than any NL players other than Pujols (4,380,669) and Utley (3,616,038).[138] He became the first Brewer to be a three-time All Star starter, passing Yount and Molitor.[136] Braun was named NL Player of the Week for August 1–8, after leading the majors with a .538 batting average, 14 hits, and 8 runs scored, and notching a career-best 5-hit performance in one game.[139][140] For the season, Braun was 2nd in the NL in hits (188) and doubles (45), 5th in total bases (310), 6th in runs (101), 7th in RBIs (103) and extra base hits (71), and 9th in batting average (.304).[141] Braun hit the 8th-most home runs by any major league player through his first four seasons (128).[142] He also became the fifth player in major league history to hit at least 125 homers with a .300 average over his first four seasons, joining Joe DiMaggio, Chuck Klein, Pujols, and Ted Williams.[7] He became the first player in Brewers franchise history to hit 20 or more home runs for each of his first four seasons, and the third player in Brewers history to have 100 or more RBIs in three consecutive seasons (joining Richie Sexson (2001–03) and Prince Fielder (2007–09)).[143][144] He also became the second player in Brewers history to have consecutive 100-RBI, 100-run seasons (joining Cecil Cooper, who did it in 1982–83).[145] His 94 home runs in 2008–10 were the most by any right-handed outfielder.[146] [edit] Season awardsBraun was awarded the 2010 NL Outfielder Silver Slugger Award, winning it for the third year in a row.[147] He became the second Brewer to win a Silver Slugger Award in three consecutive years, joining Cecil Cooper (1980–82).[147] Robin Yount is the only other Brewer to have won the award three times (1980, 1982, and 1989).[147] Braun was also voted to the 2010 NL Sporting News All Star Team, making the team for the third year in a row.[148] [edit] 2011: All StarIn 2011, Braun was again named to Sporting News' list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball, ranking No. 16 on the list. A panel of 21 MLB executives was polled to arrive at the list.[149] He was named NL Player of the Month for April 2011, after tying for the National League lead in both home runs (10) and runs scored (24) while setting a new team record by starting a season by reaching base in 28 consecutive games (erasing Yount's record of 23 games, set in 1983). He was also named NL Player of the Week, for the week ended April 25.[8] He led all National League players in All Star balloting, with an NL record 5.93 million votes. He was voted an NL All Star starter with the most votes of any NL outfielder for the fourth year in a row, and extended his franchise record to four All Star game starts. Braun had a 23-game hitting streak, the third-longest in team history.[150] In 2011, he also became the second player in Brewers' history to have two 20-steal, 20-homer seasons, joining Corey Hart.[151] Tools Hitting Braun has the ability to hit for average and significant power. His swing is compact and short, with tremendous bat speed and a protracted follow-through, and he is a pull hitter with tremendous bat speed and strong wrists.[153][154] Braun waits well on offspeed pitches, and uses the entire field. --Jim Powell, former Brewers' radio voiceHe drives the ball, no matter where it is in the strike zone.[156] Brewers hitting coach Jim Skaalen observed: "He's got tremendously quick hands and really hits through the ball. He stays on the ball as well as anyone we've got Speed In addition, his speed garnered him comparisons to New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez.[157] Braun has been timed at 4.2 seconds to first base from the right side of the plate.[158] In spring training in 2007, he was second-fastest in the Brewers' 60-yard dash. Defense Third baseA shortstop most of his life and in college, Braun was inconsistent on defense after switching to third base in 2006.[7] However, he was noted for his athleticism on defense, his occasional web gems,[40] and particularly for his powerful throwing arm,[156] which was rated the best infield arm in the Brewers' minor league system by Baseball America in early 2007.[160] Braun was charged with 34 errors in 2006, the majority on throws. "It's a matter of proper footwork," said Ash at the beginning of 2007. "Most of his problems come because he relies on his arm, which is very strong." While Yost removed Braun from a number of games in September 2007 for defense, he praised Braun for his improvements.[161] "The great thing about it is it doesn't involve throwing at all now," said Yost, referring to Braun's biggest issue in the spring. "It involves first-step quickness to the ball, which will increase his range. [He needs to] soften his hands a little bit. [His] hand-eye coordination to the ball needs to be a little better. That comes with repetition, repetition, repetition." Braun finished 2007 last of all eligible third basemen in fielding percentage (.895, with 26 errors in 248 total chances; only the fourth third baseman since 1916 to play 100 games or more in a season and have a fielding percentage under .900),[162] range factor (2.11), and zone rating (.697). His target at first base was Prince Fielder, who finished 2007 last of all eligible major league first basemen in range factor (8.49), and first in errors (14).[163] Similarly, his target at second base, Rickie Weeks, had the lowest fielding percentage of all NL second basemen (.976), and the lowest zone rating among all major league second basemen (.737).[164] It was suggested that it was possible that Braun would learn to play the position adequately, given that David Wright (who tied for the major league lead in errors by a third baseman in 2005 (his second in the league)[165] in 2007 became a "passable defender" (and won the NL Gold Glove at third base).[166] Braun, for his part, noted after the 2007 season: "It's only my second full (professional) year of playing third base. I don't expect to be perfect, but I certainly expect to be better than I have been. I have to continue to work hard, and hopefully I'll improve." Left fieldIn January 2008, however, the Brewers acquired three-time Gold Glove-winning center fielder Mike Cameron, prompting the team to move center fielder Bill Hall to third base and Braun to left field. Before the news broke, Braun was taking ground balls at Pepperdine University near Los Angeles. General Manager Doug Melvin left him a voicemail, and after returning the call and learning of the team's plans Braun grabbed his outfield glove, and started taking fly balls. Braun supported the switch. "[The outfield glove] is not broken in yet, but it will get there. I feel like I'm a good enough athlete and have a good enough work ethic to make the transition pretty easily."[167] While Braun's outfield experience until then had consisted of "two games in center field my freshman year in high school,"[168] Braun had speed, arm strength that would make him stand out against other left fielders, and athleticism to make the transition to the outfield.[169] Early reports were good, as in spring training in 2008 he showed an ability to cover ground, go back on the ball, to his left into the gap, and to his right to cut off balls down the line.[26] Braun looked good tracking liners and high fly balls, and took good routes when cutting off balls down the line or in the gap, holding batters to singles.[170] In March 2008 Manager Ned Yost said that Braun has been "spectacular" in left,[171] and "he's got an opportunity one day to win a Gold Glove in left field. He certainly does."[172] In July, by which time Braun was being mentioned in the press as a Gold Glove candidate, Ed Sedar, the Brewers' outfield defense expert, said: "He probably has the best arm in baseball in left field. He can cover more ground than 90% of the outfielders out there."[173] In 2008, Braun led all major league outfielders with a 1.000 fielding percentage. He also led all NL left fielders in putouts (275), and was second in the league in range factor (1.95) and fourth in assists (9), in 1,310.1 innings.[174] On May 23, 2009, Braun was charged with his first error ever in 190 games in left field, when his throw to third was not caught by either Bill Hall or Craig Counsell, one of whom should have caught it according to Manager Ken Macha, but both of whom were confused as to who was covering the base.[175][176] In July 2009, ESPN's Jon Heyman wrote that Braun had "become a terrific left fielder in no time".[177] Braun led all NL left fielders in 2009 with a .994 fielding percentage. He also led them in putouts (304) and range factor (2.06), was tied for the lead in double plays (2), and was third in assists (8), in 1,364 innings.[178] In 2010, Braun led NL left fielders in putouts for the third year in a row (279), was second in range factor per game (1.86), and 4th in assists (6).[141] [edit] Jewish heritage Braun; 2008Braun's father Joe, whose side of the family was almost all murdered by the Nazis in the Holocaust, was born in Israel.[179][180] His father immigrated to the United States at age seven.[181] His father is Jewish and his mother is Catholic.[180][181][182] Braun said "I am Jewish," and "I'm extremely proud to be a role model for young Jewish kids."[180][181] He said as well: "It's something I'm really proud of. But I don't want to make it into something more than what it is. I didn't have a Bar Mitzvah.... I didn't celebrate the holidays.",[182] He reiterated: "It's something that draws a lot of interest and something I take pride in."[183][184] His nickname is "The Hebrew Hammer,"[183][185][186] which references his Jewish heritage, former Brewer Hank Aaron (whose nickname was "Hammerin' Hank"), and the movie The Hebrew Hammer, starring Adam Goldberg. It is also the nickname of former teammate Gabe Kapler,[187] and was a nickname for former All-Stars Al Rosen[188] and Hank Greenberg.[189] Braun is one of the highest-drafted Jewish ballplayers in the history of professional baseball. The New York Yankees made Ron Blomberg the number one pick in the 1967 draft.[7] Braun was considered the best Jewish minor league baseball prospect in 2006,[190] and became major league baseball's first Jewish Rookie of the Year the following season.[191][192] In each of 2007 and 2008, Braun hit more home runs (34 and 37) than all but 3 of the top 10 career Jewish home run hitters had hit in their best seasons. Only Hank Greenberg (58), Shawn Green (49), and Al Rosen (43) hit more in a single year. Through the 2010 season he was 2nd on the all-time career list in batting average (directly behind Hank Greenberg), 7th in home runs (behind Mike Epstein), and 10th on the RBI list (behind Kevin Youkilis), for Jewish major leaguers.[193] "Braun" was, coincidentally, the family name of Sandy Koufax, until his mother remarried and he took his stepfather's name. "There's no [family] connection that I know of," Braun said, "but it's kind of cool."[183] In another coincidence, Braun lived for a time with his maternal grandfather in a house that previously belonged to Jewish Hall of Fame outfielder Hank Greenberg.[181] Braun's grandfather has lived in the house for over 40 years.[7] In December 2007, Braun was the only Jewish athlete invited by President George W. Bush to the annual Hanukkah Dinner at the White House, where he talked baseball with the President.[81][194] Braun was later featured in the 2008 Hank Greenberg 75th Anniversary edition of Jewish Major Leaguers Baseball Cards, published in affiliation with Fleer Trading Cards and the American Jewish Historical Society, commemorating the Jewish Major Leaguers from 1871 through 2008.[192] He joined, among other Jewish major leaguers, Brad Ausmus, Youkilis, Ian Kinsler, Brian Horwitz, Gabe Kapler, Jason Marquis, Ike Davis, Jason Hirsh, John Grabow, Craig Breslow, Scott Feldman, and Scott Schoeneweis. Braun was one of three Jewish players in the 2008 All-Star Game, joining Kinsler and Youkilis, and one of three Jewish players on the Team USA 2009 World Baseball Classic team, joining Youkilis and Grabow.[195][196] He and Feldman were voted the 2009 co-Jewish MVP by Jewish Major Leaguers, and he was voted the 2010 Jewish MVP as Breslow received the Most Valuable Jewish Pitcher honors.[197][198] "There aren't too many Jewish athletes at the highest level," said Braun. "It's something that I certainly embrace."[199][200] Braun was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in January 2010.[201][202] [edit] FamilyBraun's younger brother, middle infielder Steve Braun, played for the University of Maryland, College Park. He signed with the Brewers in 2008 as a free agent,[203] and in 2009 was on the roster of the Brewers' low-A affiliate, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers until he broke an ankle in June.[204] [edit] Pursuits outside baseballBraun is developing his own signature fashion t-shirt line for Affliction Clothing, a California-based clothing manufacturer owned by friends of his which manufactures shirts that are garment dyed and hand distressed.[205] In August 2008 he filmed a YouTube video with supermodel Marisa Miller for Remington's ShortCut clippers, which was released in the fall.[206] And in October 2008, Apple released a commercial for its new iPhone, which showed a clip of Braun's 10th inning walk-off grand slam against the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 25, 2008, which kept the Brewers' Wild Card hopes alive. Gatorade used the same clip in its November 2008 "League of Clutch" commercial.[207] He has also signed endorsement deals with CytoSport, a supplement maker, Nike, Wilson, Mikita Sports for autographs and memorabilia, Sam Bat, and AirTran Airways, and is working on his own line of aluminum bats.[81][208] Braun has turned down a request by ABC that he appear on the TV show "The Bachelor".[209] Braun has appeared in commercials in 2010 for Muscle Milk and for Dick's Sporting Goods. Also in 2010, Braun opened two restaurants in Wisconsin, Ryan Braun's Waterfront in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward and Ryan Braun's Tavern & Grill in Lake Geneva. In late 2010 Braun's Milwaukee location closed for remodeling and to upgrade it's menu before re-opening on April 3, 2011 as Ryan Braun's Graffito. The Graffito serves Italian fare in a building styled like Milwaukee's urban areas, including a large painting of Miller Park.

Career statistics (through August 22, 2011) Batting average .283 Home runs 220 Runs batted in 634 Slugging percentage .538 On-base percentage .389 Hits 963 Teams Milwaukee Brewers (2005–present) Career highlights and awards 3× All-Star (2007, 2009, 2011) 2011 All Star Game MVP Silver Slugger Award (2007) 2007 NL Hank Aaron Award Brewers franchise leader for home runs in a season (50 in 2007) 50 Home Run Club 2009 Home Run Derby winner

Prince Semien Fielder (born May 9, 1984) is a Major League Baseball player who plays first base for the Milwaukee Brewers. He is currently listed at 5' 11" (180 cm) and 285 lb (129 kg). He was selected by the Brewers in the first round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft out of Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Florida. He is the son of former Detroit Tigers first baseman Cecil Fielder. Prince and Cecil are the only father-son combination in MLB history to each hit 50 home runs in a season. Prince holds the Brewers' team record for home runs in a season and the MLB record for youngest player to hit 50 home runs. Prince Fielder is the first Brewer to win the Home Run Derby, defeating Nelson Cruz 6–5 in the final round of the 2009 derby in St. Louis. Child of the Big LeaguesPrince, like many sons of prominent major leaguers, was a fixture around his father's teams' clubhouses growing up. In addition, he starred alongside his father in a McDonald's commercial and appeared with him on MTV's "Rock 'n' Jock Softball". When his father played for Detroit, Prince would sometimes come along for batting practice. Contrary to popular belief, Fielder did not hit a home run into the upper deck of Tiger Stadium[1] at the age of twelve, but he did hit a home run over the fence as a pre-teen. Fielder set the story straight in a 2007 interview with Fox Sports during a road trip to Detroit, saying that it "just went over the fence." [edit] High school careerFielder spent his first three years of high school playing at Florida Air Academy. He then transferred to Eau Gallie High School to play baseball there his senior year (2002).[2] He hit .524 with 13 doubles, 10 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 47 runs in his senior year. He was named by the Florida Today as the All-Space Coast Player of the Year in 2002.[3] [edit] Professional career[edit] 2005Fielder began the 2005 season with the minor league Nashville Sounds, and later served as a designated hitter for the Brewers during interleague play. Fielder married his wife Chanel during the Triple-A All-Star Break. He earned his first call-up to the Majors on June 13, 2005, but he was sent back down to the Sounds after the end of interleague play, since Lyle Overbay was already the regular first baseman for the team. Fielder was again called up to the Majors on August 17, 2005, and went on to finish the season with the Brewers, where he was used as a pinch-hitter. He was the 6th-youngest player in the league. On June 15, 2005, he collected his first major league hit, a double, off Hideo Nomo, and drove in his first big league run with his second hit of the night at Tampa Bay. [edit] 2006 Prince Fielder and Rickie Weeks at Spring Training, 2005After Lyle Overbay was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays, Fielder became the Brewers' starting first baseman in 2006 and was an early favorite for National League Rookie of the Year. Prince did not get off to a great start in the 2006 regular season, going 0–9 with 7 strikeouts. In his twelfth at-bat Fielder finally made a big splash, delivering a game-winning hit that drove home Geoff Jenkins for the winning run in the bottom of the 8th inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The hit not only won the game for the Brewers, but secured an opening series sweep. Even with his early season struggles, Prince was named the National League's Rookie of the Month for April, and hit consistently since. On Mother's Day, May 14, 2006, Fielder was one of more than fifty hitters who brandished a pink bat to benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation. With his eighteenth home run of the year, Fielder broke the Brewers' rookie home run record previously held by Greg Vaughn. He led all major league rookies with twenty-eight homers in the 2006 season. On defense, he had the lowest zone rating among NL first basemen, .804.[4] [edit] 2007 Fielder with the Nashville SoundsFielder had a strong first half in 2007, earning a start at first base in the 2007 All-Star game over the previous two MVP winners, Ryan Howard (2006) and Albert Pujols (2005). On August 13, 2007, Fielder was featured on a magazine cover for the first time when he was featured on the August 13, 2007, issue of ESPN The Magazine.[5] On September 15, 2007, Fielder broke the Brewers franchise record for home runs in a season, hitting his forty-sixth in a game against the Cincinnati Reds. The record was previously jointly held by Richie Sexson (twice) and Gorman Thomas. On September 25, Fielder became the youngest player ever to reach fifty home runs in a season, joining his estranged father in the exclusive club. Fielder has stated that he hopes to surpass his father's total of 51 home runs in a season (1990) as a way of exorcising the demons that have come with being the son of a prominent major leaguer. "A lot of people said that's the only reason I got drafted... I don't mind people comparing me to him but I'm a completely different player. One day I want people to mention my name and not have to mention his," Fielder has said. Earlier in the season, Cecil Fielder had told a magazine that it was his famous name that led to his son being such a highly touted prospect. The younger Fielder also saw his contention in the 2007 NL MVP race as a way of proving his father wrong, but gets little else from the rift but motivation saying, "You've got to look at who's saying it. Let's be honest. He's not really the brightest guy." [6] Fielder ranked first in the National League in home runs (50) in his MVP-caliber 2007 season, was second in slugging percentage to teammate Ryan Braun (.618), second in at bats per home run (11.5) and OPS (1.013), third in RBIs (119) and extra base hits (87), fourth in total bases (354) and hit by pitch (14), fifth in intentional walks (21) and sacrifice flies (8), seventh in runs (109) and times on base (269), and ninth in walks (90). In 2007 he led all major league first basemen in errors, with fourteen, and was last among eligible major league first basemen in range factor (8.49). Fielder earned the Milwaukee Brewers Team MVP award, the Player's Choice NL Outstanding Player award, 2007 Silver Slugger award, and was voted the National League's Hank Aaron Award winner.[7] [edit] 2008Unable to come up with an agreement for a long-term contract with the Brewers, Fielder and his agent, Scott Boras, signed a one-year, $670,000 deal with the Brewers. Fielder was quoted saying, "I'm not happy about it at all," showing his disappointment in not being able to reach an agreement with the club.[8] On June 19, Fielder hit the second inside-the-park home run of his career, against the Toronto Blue Jays. On August 4, Fielder and teammate Manny Parra got into a scuffle in the dugout during a game against the Cincinnati Reds in which Parra was the starting pitcher. They were having a brief conversation, which led to Parra throwing his jacket down and Fielder shoving him. Fielder had to be restrained by teammates Ray Durham, Dave Bush, J. J. Hardy, Ryan Braun, and pitching coach Mike Maddux. ESPN reported that night that the dispute was over Parra heading back to the clubhouse after being pulled from the game instead of staying in the dugout to watch the Brewers bat in the next inning. Baseball Tonight also reports the exchange was started when Parra told Fielder to "get off his fat ass and play defense." Manager Ned Yost said reporters asking questions about the incident was as rude as "going over to the neighbors' house after they've been fighting and asking about it." On September 23, Fielder hit his second walk-off home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates, helping the Brewers keep pace with the New York Mets in the NL Wild Card race. Fielder was named the National League Player of the Week for the week of September 15–21 after he batted .462, with 27 total bases, six doubles, 11 RBI, .533 on-base percentage, and a 1.038 slugging percentage.[9] Fielder ended the 2008 regular season with a .276 batting average, 34 home runs, 102 RBI, 86 runs and 84 walks. The Brewers finished 90–72, earning the NL Wild Card on the final day of the regular season, their first postseason berth as a National League club and their first since losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1982 World Series. They faced the Philadelphia Phillies and were eliminated in four . Fielder hit the Brewers' only home run of the series, in Game 4.[10] [edit] 2009 Fielder (left), Ryan Howard (center), and President Barack Obama before the start of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, July 14, 2009After the 2008 season Fielder was seeking an $8 million salary in 2009, while the Brewers filed for $6 million. On January 23 the Brewers and Fielder avoided arbitration and finalized a two-year $18 million contract.[11] Fielder hit his first career grand slam against Rafael Perez of the Cleveland Indians on June 15, 2009, at Progressive Field to give the Brewers the lead 13–12. The Brewers were down 8–3 at one point. Fielder was one of four NL first basemen who made the 2009 NL All Star Team. Fielder won the 2009 State Farm Home Run Derby in St Louis. Fielder began the Derby with a Rickie Weeks bat, but quickly switched to one of Ryan Braun's because it was longer and gave him more plate coverage.[12] He made the finals with seventeen home runs after the first two rounds, eliminating local favorites Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard. He then beat former Brewers teammate Nelson Cruz with six homers in the final round. His twenty-three long balls tied for the sixth-most in the Derby's history.[13] He also hit the longest home run of the Derby at 503 feet.[14] On August 4, Fielder was involved in an incident with Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Guillermo Mota. With two outs in the ninth inning, Mota hit Fielder with a pitch on the leg, (apparently in retaliation for Mota's teammate Manny Ramirez being hit in the hand by Brewers pitcher Chris Smith). Mota was ejected. After the 17–4 Dodgers victory, Fielder went to the Dodgers clubhouse, in an effort to confront Mota. The Dodgers security guards stopped Fielder from entering, though the incident was captured by a television crew. Both Mota and Fielder were fined by Major League Baseball for their roles in the incident.[15] Fielder had a good month of September. While playing the San Francisco Giants on September 6, Fielder hit a walk off home run. This was the second walk off hit Fielder had against the Giants. Then, on September 19, Fielder set the Brewers' single-season record for RBIs at 127, beating Cecil Cooper's 1983 record of 126.[16] He set this record during a game against the Houston Astros—the team Cooper was managing at the time. The record-breaking RBI was a sacrifice fly, scoring Mike Cameron. He finished the season with 141 RBIs, which surpassed his father's career high of 133 in 1991. Fielder finished tied for first in the National League in RBIs with Ryan Howard, and second in home runs with 46. He is one of three players in Brewers franchise history to have 100 or more RBIs in three consecutive seasons, along with Richie Sexson (2001–03) and Ryan Braun (2008–10).[17] [edit] 2011On January 18, Fielder and the Brewers agreed on a one-year $15.5 million contract.[18] Fielder was named MVP of the 82nd All Star Game, in which he hit a 3-run home run.[19] [edit] VegetarianismPrior to the 2008 season Fielder became a vegetarian, removing meat and fish from his diet. Fielder made this choice after reading Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin, given to him by his wife Chanel.[20][21] [edit] FamilyFielder and his wife Chanel have two children: Jadyn and Haven.[22] He had a long running feud with his ex-baseball playing father Cecil Fielder

Awards and honorsAward / Honor Time(s) Date(s) NL All-Star 9 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 NL Player of the Month 6 May 2003, June 2003, April 2006, April 2009, June 2009, August 2010 NL Silver Slugger 6[95][96] 2001 (3B), 2003 (OF), 2004 (1B), 2008 (1B), 2009 (1B), 2010 (1B) Fielding Bible Award 4[97] 2006 (1B), 2007 (1B), 2008 (1B), 2009 (1B) TSN Player of the Year 3[43] 2003, 2008, 2009 MLB Player of the Year Award (Players Choice Award) 3 2003, 2008, 2009[98][99] NL Outstanding Player (Players Choice Award) 3[100] 2003, 2008, 2009 ESPY Awards Best MLB Player 4[101] 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010 NL Most Valuable Player 3[44] 2005, 2008, 2009 NL Home run champion 2 2009, 2010 Baseball Digest Player of the Year 2 2005, 2008 NL Gold Glove Award 2[57] 2006, 2010 (1B) Hank Aaron Award 2 2003, 2009[102] World Series champion 1 2006 TSN Player of the Decade 1 2009 Sports Illustrated Player of the Decade 1 2009 Rookie of the Year 1 2001 Hitter of the Year (This Year in Baseball Awards) 2[36] 2003, 2008 NL Batting champion 1 2003 NL RBI champion 1 2010 NLCS MVP 1 2004 Clutch Performer of the Month 1[103] April 2010 Roberto Clemente Award 1[104] 2008 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award (Players Choice Award) 1 2006 NL Player of the Week Award 11 2001-2007 (6), 2008 (2), 2009 (2), 2011 [wk. ending June 5][65] Career statisticsYr. Team Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR GS RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB GIDP HBP SH SF IBB OPS+ 2011 St. Louis NL 113 446 83 129 21 0 31 0 77 6 0 46 45 .289 .357 .545 0.902 243 25 4 0 5 10 149 TOTALS (11 yrs.) 1,671 6,179 1,269 2,029 447 15 439 11 1,307 81 34 960 691 .328 .421 .619 1.040 3,823 228 77 1 66 246 171 Statistics current through August 21st, 2011.[35] [a]

José Alberto Pujols Alcántara (born January 16, 1980), better known as Albert Pujols (Spanish pronunciation: [puˈxols]), is a Dominican professional baseball player with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. Currently a first baseman, Pujols is considered one of the top players in Major League Baseball[1][2] and the most feared hitter in baseball, according to a poll of all 30 MLB managers in 2008.[3] He won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2001 and has since been selected as an All-Star nine times, has won the National League Most Valuable Player Award three times, has twice won the National League Hank Aaron Award, and has a World Series ring from the Cardinals 2006 title. At the end of the 2010 season, he led all active players in batting average (.331),[4] slugging percentage (.624),[5] and on-base percentage (.426), and ranks among the Top 40 leading home run hitters in Major League Baseball history.[6] He was selected by ESPN.com as the greatest player of the decade from 2000–2009.[7] He stands 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m), weighs 230 pounds (100 kg), bats and throws right-handed.[8] Born on January 16, 1980, Pujols was raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic by his grandmother. Pujols and his family immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic in 1996, first to New York City. In the U.S., Pujols displayed his hitting skill by batting over .500 in his first season at Fort Osage High School in Independence, Missouri, twice earning all-state honors. Pujols graduated from high school in December 1998. He attended Maple Woods Community College in the Kansas City area in spring of 1999. In his only college season, Pujols hit a grand slam and turned an unassisted triple play in his first game.[9] He batted .461 for the year. Professional baseball careerMinor leaguesFew major league teams were very interested in Pujols out of high school, but he was finally drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 13th round of the 1999 MLB Draft, with the 402nd overall pick.[10] However, Pujols initially turned down a US $10,000 bonus and opted to play in the Jayhawk League in Kansas instead. The Cardinals increased their bonus offer to $60,000,[11] Pujols signed, and was assigned to the minor leagues. In 2000, Pujols played for the Peoria Chiefs of the single-A Midwest League, where he was voted league MVP. Pujols quickly progressed through the ranks of the St. Louis farm clubs, first at the Potomac Cannons in the high-A Carolina League and then with the Memphis Redbirds in the Class AAA Pacific Coast League. Major league career2001–2004During the 2001 season, the team was preparing for Pujols to be sent to Memphis-AAA. However, Pujols' outstanding play, combined with injuries on the big league roster allowed Pujols the opportunity to begin the season in the majors.[12] Pujols started his major league career playing third base. During his rookie season, he started at 4 different positions (1B, 3B, LF, and RF). In May, he was named National League Rookie of the Month and was named to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. In the second half of the season, Pujols had a on-base streak of 48 consecutive games from July 28 to September 22. Pujols' successful rookie season helped the Cardinals tie for the National League Central Division title. In 2001, Pujols batted .329 with 37 home runs and 130 RBI, and was unanimously named the National League Rookie of the Year.[13] His 37 home runs were one short of the National League rookie record of 38 and his 130 RBI set an NL rookie record. In 2002, Pujols was moved to left field to accommodate Scott Rolen and hit .314 with 34 homers and 127 RBI that year. Following an injury scare in 2003, Pujols was moved to first base and had one of the best offensive seasons in Cardinals history, batting .359 with 43 home runs, and 124 RBIs. He won the NL batting title while also leading the league in runs, hits, doubles, extra base hits, and total bases. Pujols joined Rogers Hornsby as the only players in Cardinals' history to record 40+ homers and 200+ hits in the same season and had a 30-game hitting streak in 2003. In 2004, Pujols signed a seven-year, $100 million contract extension with a $16 million club option for 2011 with no-trade provisions. Throughout the year, Pujols was plagued by plantar fasciitis, but still hit .331 with 46 home runs and 123 RBIs. Pujols, along with teammates Jim Edmonds and Scott Rolen, earned the nickname 'MV3' for their phenomenal season. He was named the MVP of the 2004 NLCS, helping his team reach the World Series,[14] where they would be swept by the Boston Red Sox in four games. 2005–2006In 2005 season Pujols established career highs in walks and stolen bases, while leading his team in almost every offensive category. He finished batting .330 with 41 home runs (including his 200th career homer), 117 RBIs, 97 walks, and 16 stolen bases and won the 2005 National League MVP award.[15] Pujols wearing the 1982 St. Louis Cardinals retro jersey on June 18, 2005 at Tropicana Field.In the NLCS the Cardinals were eliminated in six games by the Houston Astros. With the Cardinals trailing by 2 runs and only one out from elimination Pujols hit a game-winning three-run home run that landed on the train tracks in the back of Minute Maid Park.[16] Early in the 2006 season, Pujols became the 35th player to hit home runs in four consecutive at-bats, and the 20th batter to hit four home runs in four consecutive plate appearances. He set the record for the most home runs hit in April of the season, at 14—and became the fastest player in major league history to reach 19 home runs in a season. On April 16 of that year, he hit three home runs in a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium, the last one a walk-off home run that gave the Cardinals an 8–7 victory.[17] In June he was placed on the disabled list for the first time in his career, missing 15 games. He started at first base for the NL All-Star team and finished the season with a .331 batting average, establishing new career-highs in slugging percentage (in which he led the majors), 49 home runs (second) and 137 RBIs (second). Of his 49 home runs, 20 accounted for a game-winning RBI, breaking Willie Mays' single-season record set in 1962.[18][19] On April 10, 2006, Pujols hit the first Cardinals home run at new Busch Stadium, a solo shot in the third inning off Tomo Ohka.[20] Pujols at the 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star GameAfter appearing in the playoffs with the Cardinals in four out of five years, Pujols won his first World Series when the Cardinals defeated the Detroit Tigers in the 2006 World Series.[21] After having shared the lead for errors at his position in 2005, Pujols' defensive improvements earned him his first Gold Glove award in 2006. He had the highest range factor among first basemen in his two full seasons at the position, and led the National League in that category; emblematic was a sprawling, flip-from-his-back play to save a hit in Game 5 of the World Series.[21] 2007–2008Pujols had a slower start in the spring of 2007 than in previous years due to several injuries in his right elbow. Following the All-Star break, he hit four home runs in his first three games back. He hit his 25th home run on August 15, making him the fifth player to hit 25 home runs in his first seven seasons in the major leagues, and the first since Darryl Strawberry. On August 22, he hit his 30th home run of the season, becoming the first major league player to hit at least 30 home runs in each of his first 7 seasons. It was his fifth consecutive game with a home run, tying the Cardinals' single-season record. Pujols notched his 100th RBI for the seventh consecutive year, to be only the third player to accomplish that from the start of his career. Pujols won the Fielding Bible Award for defensive excellence at first base in 2007.[22] In June Pujols went on the 15-day disabled list for only the second time in his career. Pujols won his seventh career NL Player of the Week award for Aug. 18–24.[23] He got his 1,500th career hit on August 30, against the Houston Astros.[24] His 30th home run on September 1, and his 100th RBI on September 11, made him the first player in MLB history to start his career with eight seasons of at least 30 HR, 100 RBIs, a .300 BA, and 99 runs. In 2008, he also led the NL in three lesser-known sabermetric categories: VORP (98.6), runs created (160), and OPS+ (190). On October 13, Pujols elected to have surgery on his troubled right elbow, "a procedure that included decompression and transposition of the ulnar nerve" but not the more invasive Tommy John surgery to relieve persistent pain.[25] Pujols won a number of awards for 2008, including the Players Choice National League Outstanding Player of the Year,[26] and Players Choice Player of the Year[27][28] (his second Player of the Year Award, having also won in 2003; he joined Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds as two-time winners). Pujols was also named The Sporting News Player of the Year for the second time in his career.[29] On October 25, Pujols was named the 2008 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award for the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement, and the individual's contribution to his team.[30] Pujols won the Fielding Bible Award for defensive excellence at first base for the third consecutive year.[31] For the third time in four years, Pujols was named NL Most Valuable Player in the annual Internet Baseball Awards,[32] a poll conducted by Baseball Prospectus. Pujols also won his fourth Silver Slugger award, having previously won one at 3B in 2001, OF in 2003, and 1B in 2004.[33] After the season Pujols won his second NL MVP Award.[34] The MVP award continues his streak of finishing in the top nine in the BBWAA voting every year of the first 8 years of his career.[35] He ended the year by winning TYIB's 'Hitter of the Year' Award.[36] 2009 Pujols participating in the 2009 Home Run DerbyPujols declined to play in the World Baseball Classic for his native Dominican Republic, because of insurance issues relating to his off-season right elbow surgery in October 2008.[37] In May he hit an upper-deck HR off the "Big Mac Land" sign in left field, causing the "I" in "Big" to be knocked out.[38] Pujols was the leading vote-getter for the 2009 MLB All-Star Game, receiving the highest number of votes in NL history thus far.[39][40] For the All-Star Game, which took place at his home ballpark of Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Pujols participated in the Home Run Derby and caught President Barack Obama's ceremonial first pitch before the All-Star Game. The 2009 season marked the ninth consecutive season since the start of his career that he has reached 100 or more RBI and 30 or more doubles, and the fifth time he has hit 40+ home runs and won his first home run title. In 2009 Pujols also played his 1,000th game at first base[35] and also hit his 40th double of the season, making him the second player in major league history to hit 40 doubles and 40 home runs in three separate seasons (2003, 2004, 2009), joining Lou Gehrig and was a league leader in a variety of offensive categories. Later that year he was awarded the Sporting News "MLB Player of the Decade".[41][42] Following the season, Pujols won the Sporting News "MLB Player of the Year" award for the second consecutive year, and his third (2003) overall. He is just the third player in the history of the award to win in consecutive seasons. Boston Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams won the award in 1941–1942, and Cincinnati Reds second baseman Joe Morgan did so in 1975–76.[43] In December, Sports Illustrated selected him as Player of the Decade and also as one of the Top 20 Male Athletes of the Decade.[citation needed] Pujols was also named the NL MVP for the third time, tying Stan Musial as the St. Louis Cardinals' leader in that category.[44] He had surgery to remove five bone spurs from his right elbow.[45][46] 2010Pujols homered twice on Opening Day (April 5) and later surpassed Eddie Mathews' old record (370 in 1952–1961) for most home runs in his first 10 years.[47] He became the 161st player to hit 400 doubles in his career on May 20, 2010. On May 30, he had his 36th career multihomer game at Wrigley Field hitting 3 home runs. Later in June he had his 37th career multihomer game at Busch Stadium tying Stan Musial's franchise record by a Cardinals' player.[48] On August 15, Pujols hit his 30th home run of the season extending his own major league record of most consecutive 30 home run seasons (10) to begin a career starting with his rookie year.[49] On August 26, he became the 47th player to hit his 400th career home run, and the first in major league history to do it in his first 10 seasons.[50] It was against the Washington Nationals in the fourth inning at their ballpark against Jordan Zimmermann. In the same game later, he hit his 30th double (#417 career) of the season, extending his consecutive years of 30+ doubles in a season to all 10 of his playing years. Pujols is the third-youngest player in Major League history to reach the milestone, at 30 years, seven months and 10 days (30,222 days). Only Ken Griffey Jr. (30,140 days) and Alex Rodriguez (29,316 days) hit 400 at an earlier age. Only four players in the history of the game reached their 400th homer in fewer at-bats than Pujols, who got there in career at-bat No. 5,617: Mark McGwire (4,726), Babe Ruth (4,853), Harmon Killebrew (5,300), and Jim Thome (5,416).[51][52] He won the NL Player of the Month Award in August for the sixth time, more than any active NL player, hitting .379 (2nd) with 11 home runs (1st), 23 RBIs (T5th), .777 slugging (1st), and .453 on-base percentage (2nd).[50] On September 11, Pujols reached 100 RBIs for the 10th consecutive year and drove in all three runs in the game, giving him 102 for the season. Only Al Simmons has a longer streak at the beginning of a career, 11 years (1924–1934). Pujols joins Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, and Alex Rodriguez in having 10 consecutive seasons of 100+ RBIs at any time in their career. Only two players besides Pujols have 10 consecutive years of 30 HRs and 100 RBIs at any time in their careers: Foxx and Rodriguez.[53] On September 12, he passed Stan Musial to be the all-time Cardinals' leader in multi-HR games when he hit two home runs (38 and 39) for the 38th time in a game. It was the fifth time this year he has hit two home runs in a game.[54] On September 23, he reached 40 home runs for the sixth time in his career at Pittsburgh, hitting two at PNC Park giving him an NL-leading 41 for the season, 112 RBIs, and extending his own record there to 26 home runs, which is also the most for him at any road ballpark. Only six other players have more than six 40-HR seasons. He also added to his Cardinals' franchise record of 39 career multi-HR games.[55] At season's end, Pujols became the second player in the last sixty years (the first was Hank Aaron), to lead the National League in runs, home runs, and runs batted in, and not be named Most Valuable Player.[56] He won his second Gold Glove Award, his first since 2006.[57] He won the NL First Base Silver Slugger Award and finished second in the NL MVP race to Joey Votto.[58] 2011Pujols and the Cardinals set a deadline for the start of Spring Training for contract extension negotiations.[59] Negotiations were suspended without an agreement.[60] He began the season hitting .245 with a .305 OBP, and .453 SLG through April. He did hit 7 home runs and 18 RBIs, but also had a league-leading 9 grounded into double plays. On June 4, he recorded his 41st career multi-HR game.[61][62] On June 4 and 5, he had consecutive walk-off home runs in extra-innings, becoming only the third player to do that since 1950. They also were his 6th and 7th extra-inning walk-off home runs [9th and 10th total] in his career, ranking #2 behind Frank Robinson and Jim Thome who have eight, since 1950, tying Mickey Mantle.[63] After the game on June 5, manager Tony La Russa reported his autographing a picture of himself with Pujols after the 2001 playoff season ended (Pujols' first season in the majors), inscribing it, "To Albert, The best player I've ever managed."[64] For the week of May 30-June 5, he was named NL Player of the Week for the first time since June 15–21 2009, hitting .444 (12-for-27), with five HR's, 10 RBIs, and a 1.620 OPS. His 12 hits and five walks led the NL, while his 1.074 slugging percentage, 29 total bases, and 11 runs scored led the major leagues.[65] On June 19, against the Royals, both Wilson Betemit and Pete Kozma collided with Pujols, causing a small fracture in the left wrist-forearm. He was activated from the disabled list on July 5, after the minimum 15-days.[66] On July 30, at Busch Stadium in the eighth inning against the Cubs, he got his 2,000th career hit, a double down the left-field line. It was in his 1,650th game, becoming the fifth Cardinal player to get 2,000 hits, joining Stan Musial (3,630), Lou Brock (2,713), Rogers Hornsby (2,110), and Enos Slaughter (2,064). He is the 12th quickest player by games to get to 2,000.[67] On August 14, facing the Rockies, he hit the longest home run at Busch Stadium, estimated to be about 465 feet.[68] Personal life Pujols at Glenn Beck's "Restoring Honor" rallyPujols married his wife, Deidre, on January 1, 2000. They have four children, Isabella (Deidre's daughter, from a previous relationship), Albert Jr., Sophia, and Ezra.[69] Albert and his wife are active in the cause of people with Down syndrome, as Isabella was born with this condition.[70] He has taken part-ownership in Patrick's Restaurant in Maryland Heights, Missouri. The remodeled restaurant was re-opened as Pujols 5 in 2006.[71] Pujols is close friends with third baseman Plácido Polanco, a former teammate with the St. Louis Cardinals. Pujols is godfather to Polanco's 3-year-old son, Ismael.[72] In 2007 Pujols became a U.S. citizen,[73] scoring a perfect 100 on his citizenship test.[74] Later that year Upper Deck Authenticated announced it had signed Pujols to an exclusive autographed memorabilia agreement. In 2008, Pujols agreed to help bring a MLS franchise to St. Louis by using his reputation and a large financial investment.[75] Pujols and his wife are devout and active Christians;[76] one of his writings on his family's foundation's website states, "In the Pujols family, God is first. Everything else is a distant second".[77] He writes, "My life's goal is to bring glory to Jesus. My life is not mostly dedicated to the Lord, it is 100% committed to Jesus Christ and His will. God has given me the ability to succeed in the game of baseball. But baseball is not the end; baseball is the means by which my wife, Dee Dee, and I glorify God. Baseball is simply my platform to elevate Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior."[78] Pujols attends a Baptist church.[79] Pujols and Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa attended Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor rally in Washington, D.C., after being assured by Beck that the rally was not political.[80][81] During the rally, Pujols was presented with a "Badge of Merit" for "Hope."[82] Pujols Family FoundationIn 2005, Albert and Deidre Pujols launched the Pujols Family Foundation, a 501©(3) non-profit which is dedicated to their "commitment to faith, family and others."[83] The organization promotes awareness of Down syndrome and works to support those who have it and their families, aids the poor in the Dominican Republic, and supports people with disabilities and/or life threatening illnesses.[83] Among other activities, the foundation hosts events for people with Down syndrome.[70] The foundation gave the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis the resources to open and office and hire staff.[70] A center for adults with Down syndrome bears Pujols' name ("Albert Pujols Wellness Center for Adults with Down Syndrome") opened in 2009 in Chesterfield, Missouri;[84] he was present at the opening on November 18.[85][86] Pujols has taken several trips to the Dominican Republic, by taking supplies as well as a team of doctors and dentists to the poor who need medical care. The Pujols Family Foundation also holds an annual golf tournament to raise money to send dentists to the Dominican Republic.[87] AccomplishmentsBy the end of the 2009 season, Pujols ranked in the top 15 players in major league history in four statistical categories: on-base percentage (twelfth), slugging percentage (fourth), on-base plus slugging (OPS; fourth), and adjusted OPS (tied for sixth). He also ranks in the top 500 players in major league history in a variety of statistical categories (see below), and is a three-time MVP. From 2001 to 2005, Pujols hit 201 home runs, second all-time for the most hit in a player's first five seasons. By 2009, he had reached the 350-homer plateau at the age of 29—the third-youngest to do so—and surpassed Ralph Kiner's record for most home runs in his first nine seasons. In doing so, Pujols became the first player to hit 30 or more home runs in the first nine seasons of his career (extended it to 10 in 2010), as well the second player to have 100 or more RBIs in the same timespan. Pujols holds the Cardinals' franchise record for most career grand slams; he broke the record of nine previously held by Stan Musial.[88] Musial and Pujols are also two of only four players in history to have a career batting average above .330 and less than 500 strikeouts at the time of their 300th home runs (the other two being Musial's contemporaries Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio). In his first 5,000 career at bats, Pujols hit 372 doubles, 358 home runs, and 14 triples for a total of 744 extra-base hits, the most in NL history,[89] and is the second player in Major League Baseball to post nine consecutive seasons with 30 doubles, a .300 batting average, 30 home runs, and 100 runs batted in or better (Lou Gehrig). He has scored 100 or more runs in nine of his ten seasons. (He scored 99 runs in the only season when he did not score 100 runs). He currently has eight career walk-off home runs.[90] His 1,230 RBI is second all-time among Cardinal players, only Stan Musial (1,951) has more.[91] In the field, Pujols has set the Cardinals' franchise record for the most assists by a first baseman in a single game (seven). In 2009, he also set the National League record for assists by a first baseman in a season (182), and in the last game of the 2009 season, he broke Bill Buckner's 1985 major league mark of 184 with his 185th assist. Keith Hernandez held the previous Cardinals' record with 146 assists in 1979, and Mark Grace held the previous NL record with 181 in 1990.[92][93] Pujols said he does not play solely for the numbers. "I don't play for numbers. I play first of all to glorify God and to accomplish in this game what everybody wants to accomplish, which is getting to the World Series and coming up with a win at the end. Those are the things that I really try to focus on and try to make sure that I do every day for the rest of my career."[94]

what a start to the day

OMG, that is her smile. lollllll

thanks Kiki. Kissssssssssssssssss for my fave french vixen. yes we are. just seen in the apst with other people, that one wrong or msitaken word can turn it all ugly really fast and i'd hate to have that happen here.

hope work is better tomorrow

not Keanu Reeves

i can totally agree with all that Kiki, and i totally agree with pheno and pretty. i think though ALL of us have seen way too many other memebrs jsut attack countries and lump everyone from that country as being the same. By now i think we all know each other well enough on here to know that none of us are the types of people to generalize a whole country. We are proud where we come from but also are not blind to the bad side of our countries as well. Hey, we got pelnty of closed minded you-know-whats on here as it is, let's not turn one each other. hugs and kisses for all

oijrwehtgnejrtuge`wra

WOWZA!!!!! got to love all those.