While the New York Yankees and all the MLB teams await a resolution to the stalemate in the MLB/MLBPA negotiations, some individual players have been making a difference with donations and acts of kindness. The coronavirus has effected all of sports and life in general. Over 100k Americans have died from the virus. Kids have gone without lunch that they would normally get at school, big and small businesses have been hurt or have gone out of business due to social distancing that has closed businesses around the country. The hardships that have gone on are too numerous to mention.
Many fans feel baseball stars and owners alike make too much money, which may be true, but some have stepped up and helped the community with donations and acts of kindness.
The New York Yankees slugging star Aaron Boone has donated 25k headphones to help low-income Bronx students continue to be successful while studying at home.
The Minnesota Twins are committed to paying their minor league players a $400 a week stipend, full benefits including health insurance through August 31, about the time the minor league season would be ending.
Ex-Yankee Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez gave back in a big way to an East Tennessee elementary school in Campbell County. The celebrity couple was “so moved” after hearing about the need that they donated a year’s worth of food to Jacksboro Elementary school’s food pantry, according to Instagram posts.
Also, through their food company Tiller and Hatch Supply Company, they are using the business to provide thousands of meals to displaced South Florida hospitality workers. The pair is donating 20,000 meal kits with nonprofit Food Rescue US.
Ex-Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price in an extremely generous move, according to a report from Francys Romero, Price will pay $1,000 to each minor leaguer in the Dodgers system using his own money. Former Dodger and broadcaster Jerry Hairston Jr. responded to the tweet with exactly the same response that I had in mind. This is particularly generous due to Price not having pitched his first game with the Dodgers.
New New York Yankee pitcher Gerrit Cole ad his wife, Amy, have pledged to make a “significant” donation to Direct Relief, an organization that works with public health and non-profit organizations to support health workers fighting the spread of COVID-19 with protective equipment and essential medical items. He also stated that this amount is a start and will evolve as the need evolves.
The Yankee organization will be “all in” on the “Fanatics All-In Challenge,” raising money to fight food shortages caused by COVID-19 around the world. The auction was announced by Yankee owner Hal Steinbrenner as a unique auction and experience for the winners. Team and player memorabilia will be included in the auction.
The Yankees are providing $1.4 million to the COVID-19 Disaster Relief Program that will provide assistance for eligible full- and part-time game-day staff impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, including those working for the Yankees, Legends Hospitality and NYCFC that have been hurt by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Other MLB owners and players have made donations and offered their help to their own workers as well as community non-profits that work to ease the effects of the coronavirus.