“But the more I followed him, the more I became aware of the man behind the persona – a man who is a devoted Christian, a faithful husband and father and a generous benefactor who uses his status as the best player in baseball to enrich the lives of others.”

Tim Ellsworth, Union University’s director of news and media relations, has co-authored a new book that describes the stellar career and outspoken Christian testimony of St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols.

Ellsworth and fellow Union alumnus Scott Lamb teamed up to write “Pujols: More than the Game,” which was released Feb. 1. Both Ellsworth and Lamb are avid baseball fans who grew up following the St. Louis Cardinals. (Editor’s Note: Scott Lamb is Director of Research for Al Mohler; source of all those great op-ed pieces!)

“I’ve always had an appreciation for what Albert Pujols has done on the field,” Ellsworth said in describing his motivation to write about a player almost certain to enter the Baseball Hall of Fame someday. “But the more I followed him, the more I became aware of the man behind the persona – a man who is a devoted Christian, a faithful husband and father and a generous benefactor who uses his status as the best player in baseball to enrich the lives of others.”

Thomas Nelson Publishers in Nashville released the book and calls it the first full-length biography about Pujols. The book traces his early life and rise to stardom, his take on the steroid era in baseball, his philanthropic efforts and above all, the role his Christian faith has played – and continues to play – in his life.

“Scott and I decided that the story needed to be told – not just of his baseball exploits, which the book certainly covers in detail, but of the deeper motivations that drive him to excel off the field as well,” Ellsworth said.

Joe Posnanski, senior writer at Sports Illustrated, wrote the foreword for the book, which has also earned pre-release recommendations from former Cardinals second baseman Tommy Herr, World Magazine Editor-in-Chief Marvin Olasky, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Union University President David S. Dockery, among others.

“Lamb and Ellsworth have given baseball fans everywhere a truly outstanding baseball book about the greatest player in the game today,” Dockery wrote in a pre-release review that described the volume as “an inspirational book about character, commitments, faith and family.”

Mark Kahler is Associate Vice President for University Communications at Union University