Pujols wins 2008 Roberto Clemente award

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NEW YORK, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols was named Saturday the 2008 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award.

The award goes annually to the Major League player who combines outstanding play on the field with devoted work in the community.

Pujols, who hit .357 with 37 homers and 116 RBI during the season, was selected from a list of 30 nominees, one from each team.

Pujols has for more than three years been at the center of his own family foundation, which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for donations to children with Down syndrome. The Pujols Foundation has served more than 500 families affected with Down syndrome in the St. Louis area.

"I have always said; I would rather be remembered for what I do off the field, than for what I accomplish on it," said Pujols.