Jiménez joins Orioles teammates in giving back to community

BOSTON – To blend with his new Orioles teammates, Eloy Jiménez simply had to demonstrate a strong work ethic and sense of humor. Grind through at-bats and celebrate the successes of others with the faucet and sprinkler gestures at the railing, which he does with enthusiasm. Seek improvement through the organizational hitting philosophy of hard and elevated contact and understand the importance of helping others less fortunate.

The Orioles traded for him at the deadline.

The charitable side of Jiménez also travels.

Catcher James McCann was announced this week as the Orioles’ nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award. His family donated 50 pairs of shoes last offseason to Church of the City’s Wrap Around Closet in Nashville to support children in foster care. McCann and wife Jessica have dedicated themselves to supporting local NICUs by visiting hospitals, bringing gifts and offering encouragement to families in need, having gone through the experience with their twin boys born prematurely. McCann also created a video Meals on Wheels to promote its “Night of A Million Meals” event.

Center fielder Cedric Mullins led the Swinging for Impact fundraiser at Topgolf Baltimore that raised nearly $27,000 for City of Refuge Baltimore, a faith-based organization that helps individuals and families transition out of crisis. McCann, Ryan Mountcastle, Ryan O’Hearn, Grayson Rodriguez, Jordan Westburg and Heston Kjerstad also participated, with fans invited to compete against them.

Cole Irvin gifted bikes, helmets and pedal kits last week to students at Walter P. Carter Elementary School as part of the Learn-To-Ride Program. He’s also partnered with the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) to encourage adoptions and assist in emergency collection drives.

Corbin Burnes and his wife Brooke lent their support of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maryland with “Uncork For a Cause,” as they did in Wisconsin when he pitched for the Brewers. Thirty-five young team captains from the local Nike Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities program were treated to a shopping experience in May with Anthony Santander at DICK’S Sporting Goods in White Marsh, receiving a $300 gift card and a one-on-one time with the popular outfielder.

Jiménez’s commitments in the offseason also stretch far beyond baseball activities. And they tug at his heart.

He’ll finish his first season with the Orioles and head back to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, with time and money spent to improve young lives.

Jiménez has volunteered with Pitch In For Baseball & Softball (PIFBS) since signing his first professional contract. The organization partnered with him to distribute equipment to children who now gather on the field where he played as a child. He also donated items that were used to raise money for PIFBS’ 3rd annual online auction.

"I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Eloy’s spirit first hand in a project supporting kids on the field he grew up playing on,” said CEO Meredith Kim. “Seeing how those children look up to and idolize him was honestly life changing. They got to meet their hero and it was so fun to experience. Eloy has been incredibly generous with us. His support has helped to raise awareness for our mission and enable us to connect with communities in need of support to ensure that all kids can play ball."

He also makes it easier for them to get to games by donating flights for boys on Dominican baseball teams.

“When I grew up, I came from a poor neighborhood,” he said. “God gave me the opportunity to share and bring joy to kids like I was at one time. It is something that means so much to me because that’s how I am, that’s who I am. I just try to help people and try to bring joy to their homes. That’s who I am.”

The White Sox enabled Jiménez, their top prospect, to boost his generosity by signing him to a six-year, $43 million extension in March 2019 before his major league debut. He’s making $13 million this summer and the contract includes club options for $16.5 million and $18.5 million in the next two seasons, with $3 million buyouts attached.

Wealth that seems unattainable in poverty.

“Every time that I look back and I watch where I come from, I feel really proud,” he said. “If I have this opportunity, why can’t other kids have it? So for me, I just try to help as much as I can and see that if they don’t take the streets, they take to sports. That’s pretty much why I do it.”

Helping hands reached out to Jiménez when he was younger and he’s paying it forward.

Jiménez assisted with clinics set up by Major League Baseball, remembering visits from future Hall of Famers Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz.

“I watched them and I said, ‘I want to be at their level and help people,’” Jiménez said. “I just try to do my best to be helpful for kids like I was back in the day.”

PIFBS named Jiménez as their 2023 Ambassador MVP and presented him with the award earlier this year. His agency, KLUTCH Baseball, a division of KLUTCH Sports Group and formerly Rep 1 Baseball, got him involved in the organization and he ran with it.

“I’ve known Eloy a long time, and his commitment to growing the game of baseball, not only in his community, but beyond, is something truly special,” said Chris Koras, the head of baseball at KLUTCH Sports Group. “Eloy is a passionate individual and his goal has always been to give the next wave of Dominican baseball stars every opportunity to succeed.”

“It’s just been a really good relationship because they try to help people,” Jiménez said, “and they see that I try to help, too.”

The flight donations offer another way to do it.

“I try to help anyway I can to take kids out of the streets,” he said. “If that’s the way, I’m always going to be part of it because God gave me the opportunity to be here. Why not give the chance to others and help them to make their dreams?”

This is an organizational-wide attitude that manager Brandon Hyde appreciates and endorses. It’s about more than what’s done on the field, and he wants people to notice.

“It’s a huge deal,” Hyde said. “Our community department, they do an amazing job of working with our guys and promoting getting out in the community. We are proud of that. We want people to think of our guys as guys that give back and care about the community and care about charity. It’s not all about themselves, but it’s about helping others.

“Our guys are really, really unselfish. We don’t have a ton of 10-year vets. We have a couple, but it’s guys that are learning that. So we are proud of the group we have and how they do care about others.”

The Orioles inherited the options on Jiménez’s contract and could send him into free agency over the winter. The future is uncertain, but Jiménez has lots to keep him busy back home.

The baseball side of his life can wait. Many of these kids can’t.

“I like it,” he said, “because at the end of the day, to see that smile is fun.”