Young Dodgers slugger Joc Pederson knocked Albert Pujols out of the revamped Home Run Derby last night with a thrilling 12-11 win, but the best moment of their matchup — and the entire derby — didn’t come at the plate.
After their matchup, Pujols walked over to Pederson to give him a congratulatory dude hug, then his eyes lit up when he saw Pederson’s big brother, Champ. Pujols gave Champ a massive hug, picking him up off the ground and holding him for a while.
Champ has Down syndrome, a condition that Pujols knows well, as his daughter, Isabella, also has Down syndrome.