Angels slugger Albert Pujols goes to bat for sex trafficking victims

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols is going to bat for an important cause - the victims of sex trafficking.

While he is one of only nine players in Major League history to hit 600 home runs, his goals stretch far beyond the field and the joy of playing baseball.

On Thursday, Pujols, and his wife Diedre, spoke to the media about the difficult topic of human trafficking and how it can be stopped.

The Pujols family announced a new initiative called "Strike Out Slavery," which includes an online campaign to raise money for eight non-profit organizations that fight human trafficking.

"It's more than the game of baseball, you know. I think the Lord gave you this platform to get to know people, to get to share your story, to get to help people," he said.

The campaign also includes a giveaway. With a $10 donation, fans can enter to win for a chance to have a private dinner with the Pujols, a two-night stay at The Portofino Hotel, two suite tickets to the Sept. 16 Angels game and an invitation to throw out the first pitch.

Pujols and his wife will also bring the campaign directly to baseball fans during the Sept. 16 Angels game against the Texas Rangers. Literature about human trafficking along with child safety kits will be handed out to fans.

"The perplexity of the issue is the language," Diedre Pujols said. "And how to talk about something that could be so dark in an environment like a baseball stadium."

Last year, Diedre Pujols traveled to other countries to learn more about human trafficking. There are an estimated 48 million human trafficking victims worldwide.