On September 28, 2015, Major League Baseball Chief Operating Officer and Boys & Girls Clubs of America Board of Governors Member Tony Petitti, along with Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees All-Star and fourth on baseball’s all-time home run list, presented a $1 million check to Alex Rodriguez-Roig, president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, and James Bernhardt, longtime Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade board member and mentor to Rodriguez. The check is from the MLB Urban Youth Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit that oversees and funds the MLB Urban Youth Academy network and similar youth-related programs. The check was presented at Yankee Stadium on the field before the Yankees vs. Red Sox game.
The donation will further the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade and help to expand its Southwest Club, allowing it to serve more youth, help young people recognize their potential, and realize their dreams.
As a child, Rodriguez attended Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s Southwest Club, where he participated in its baseball program. He flourished at the Club, remaining a member until the day he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners. He has been a Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade supporter since he signed his first professional baseball contract in 1993.
“Along with Major League Baseball, I am excited to help expand the reach of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade. I owe the Club a debt of gratitude and hope this gift will allow them to help more kids reach their potential. I want to thank Commissioner Manfred and Tony Petitti for their support of the Miami Clubs’ great work,” said Rodriguez.
Photo Caption: L to R: Alex Rodriguez-Roig, president Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade; James Bernhardt, past Board Chair of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade; MLB COO Tony Pettiti; and Yankees player Alex Rodriguez. Credit: New York Yankees