Pujols aces scientists' tests -- just like The Babe
Aug 22, 2006
Associated Press
ST. LOUIS -- How does El Hombre match up against the Sultan
of Swat?
This spring, Washington University scientists, at the request of
GQ magazine, put Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols through a series
of tests similar to those given to Babe Ruth 85 years ago -- tests
ranging from finger tapping, to visual responses, to bat speed.
The results? Both men aced the tests, and their performances
were strikingly similar.
In 1921, psychologists at Columbia University put Ruth through
tests to try to determine what made him great. He had faster than
average reflexes, steady nerves, and superior sight and hearing.
The same holds true for Pujols. At Washington University,
clinical neuropsychologist Desiree White and cognitive psychologist
Richard Abrams and their colleagues gave Pujols tests resembling
the ones Ruth took. Both men were 26 and top hitters when they were
tested.
GQ features some of the results of the Pujols tests in its
September issue.
For one test, White put a piece of paper in front of Pujols.
Capital letters were strewn about the page. White told Pujols to
locate and cross out all of the As.
White realized she'd never seen anyone scan the page the way
Pujols did. Most people scan a page left to right, the way they do
when they read. Pujols visually divided the page into sectors and
searched each one briefly for the letters before moving on to the
next sector. When he'd searched all sectors, he returned to the
first and started over. It took him four rounds and a minute to
complete the task.
"I've never seen anyone scan that way, but it would be
important on the baseball field," White said, noting the skill
would allow Pujols to scan the field and know where everyone is
without missing any action.
In another test, Pujols replicated 133 symbols in a minute -- a
testament to his hand-eye coordination. The test makers don't even
list a score that high.
http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2557786