ANAHEIM, Calif. – A few days ago, Albert Pujols' phone buzzed. He'd been sent a photo. He tapped the phone and there was Champ Pederson, Joc's oldest brother. Champ was holding up a jersey – Los Angeles Angels, No. 5, PUJOLS across the back, signed by Pujols himself – and wearing a great big smile.

Pujols had met the young man about a week before at a screening for a movie called "Where Hope Grows." It's about baseball, but mostly it's about Down syndrome.

Isabella Pujols, Albert's oldest child, has Down syndrome. So does Champ.

"Sometimes I have to tell her to do something two or three times," he said. "But sometimes people need to tell me two or three times."

[Yahoo Sports Fantasy Baseball: Sign up and join a league today!]

View photos Albert Pujols' foundation helps raise money and awareness for people with Down syndrome. (Getty Images) More

Pujols and Joc Pederson had not met before March 16, the night of the screening in Phoenix. They both play professional baseball and share a market, and people in the business tend to be acquainted. But Pujols is 35, three MVPs and 520 home runs into this and headed for the Hall of Fame, while Pederson is 22, has 28 days of service time and still hasn't been able to tell his parents for sure if they should fly down from Palo Alto, Calif., for Monday's season opener at Dodger Stadium.

So it was something of a surprise that night when Pujols worked his way through the crowd, found the Pedersons – father Stu, mother Shelly, Joc and Champ – and introduced himself. Champ was beside himself.

"You're my favorite player," he said, well within earshot of Joc.

"Champ," Shelly said, "your brother…"

"Nope," Champ said. "Albert Pujols."

He asked for a jersey.

Pujols laughed.

"They're pretty special kids," he said.

The Pedersons knew The Pujols Foundation, knew the work it did for people – children in particular – with Down syndrome and other disabilities. Champ did too. From that, they figured Pujols must be a good man. Champ is a pretty good judge of these things.

"Champ's been wanting to meet him for a long time," Joc said.

Funny when your eyes are open, your heart too, what comes of it. Three days later, the Dodgers hosted the Angels at Camelback Ranch. Pujols was at first base. Pederson subbed into the game as a pinch-runner at first.

"I have Champ's jersey," Pujols told him. "I'll be sure it gets to you."

It was in a box, on the bus, before the Angels left for Tempe.

"I was kind of shocked," Joc said. "A lot of people say stuff and don't follow through."

View photos Joc Pederson's oldest brother has Down syndrome. (Getty Images) More

Story continues