MLB and Luzardo: Going to bat for Marjory Stoneman Douglas
By César Augusto Márquez
In a massive gesture of solidarity for the victims of the mass shooting in Parkland, Fla. that claimed 17 lives on Feb. 14, Major League Baseball clubs will wear the caps of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Eagles baseball team today during the first exhibitions of spring training.
The teams will wear the caps during pregame activities, including batting practice, lineups and the national anthem. Commissioner Rob Manfred has also given the clubs permission to wear the caps during their games.
“Major League Baseball is proud to see our clubs supporting the Parkland community and the students of Stoneman Douglas in a way that is both meaningful and natural to our sport,” Manfred said. “The idea began with several of our Grapefruit League clubs and quickly turned into a league-wide effort. We hope this demonstration by our teams, players, coaches and umpires helps contribute to the healing process of everyone affected by this horrible tragedy.”
Besides showing support for the school and the surrounding community, the gesture is intended to raise money for the victims and their families.
New Era — MLB’s official on-field cap supplier — produced more than 2,500 caps for players, managers, coaches and umpires. MLB will allow the caps to be signed and auctioned. Many of the clubs will donate the proceeds to the Broward Education Foundation, which has established a GoFundMe Stoneman Douglas Victims Fund.
As of Thursday night, the Broward Education Fund had raised $2,022,464 of its $2.5 million goal.
Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, Oakland A’s pitching prospect Jesús Luzardo and Colorado Rockies third base prospect Colton Welker are alumni of Stoneman Douglas High School.
Rizzo, who graduated in 2007, spoke at a vigil at the school the weekend after the shooting, while Luzardo, who graduated in 2016, started a scholarship fund in honor of Chris Hixon, the school’s athletic director and wrestling coach.
“He played a huge role in supporting my dreams of becoming a professional baseball player, and his loss will be felt by everyone in the Douglas community,” Luzardo told ESPN.com.
Luzardo, 20, is a hard-throwing lefty with pinpoint control who has attracted considerable attention because of his heritage and maturity. Luzardo was born in Peru to Venezuelan parents and has lived in the States since he was very young. As of Thursday, his YouCaring fund had raised $7,485 of its $10,000 goal.
¡Bienvenida, Jean!
In case you missed it, La Vida Baseball has added a photographer to our team. Say hola to Jean Fruth, who for the past three years has worked for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and is known for her evocative images and passion for the game.
During her first week at spring training, Jean visited the Oakland A’s and the San Francisco Giants, focusing on Latino players like Luzardo, Franklin Barreto, Yusmeiro Petit and Johnny Cueto, among others.
She also captured the happy face of a Latino legend, Felipe Aloú, whose biography “Aloú: My Baseball Journey,” is scheduled to be published on April 1.
Lindor’s old pain and new ’do
It’s clear that Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor hasn’t fully recovered from last year’s defeat to the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the American League Divisional Series. As MLB.com showed with a tweet, Lindor is using last year’s pain as this year’s motivation.
“It’s like a girlfriend you break up with. You never get over it,” Lindor said.
Which probably explains why Lindor showed up to camp wearing a new hairstyle — bleached a bright platinum blond, and without his trademark curls — and gave a nod to #LosRubios and Team Puerto Rico, who sported bleached blond hair during last year’s World Baseball Classic.
On Instagram, Lindor said in Spanish, “Hey, Team Rubio, we’re back, it’s on… Let’s kill it with God’s blessing… Success, love you all,” directing his message to 11 Team PR teammates, including Yadier Molina, Javy Báez, Carlos Correa, Enrique “Kiké” Hernández and Edwin “Sugar” Díaz.
Osuna like Ozuna
Roberto Osuna, the Toronto Blue Jays’ closer from Mexico who recorded 39 saves in 2017, showed off a new talent — singing, or to be more precise, rapping. On MLB’s photoshoot day, he sang a cover of the song “Se Preparó” by the Puerto Rican reggaetón star Ozuna. Fortunately, he won’t be quitting his day job.
Altuve and Correa back to work
After a busy winter collecting hardware and hanging out with celebrities like salsa singer Marc Anthony, Astros second baseman José Altuve is back to work with his shortstop partner Carlos Correa. Good pals, they love to needle each other. As they started spring training at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, Houston’s facility in Florida, Altuve decided to have fun at Correa’s expense.
“Teaching the kid how to play,” Altuve wrote in Spanish on Instagram while posting a picture of himself watching Correa complete a throw to first base.
New Yankee hopefuls
Miguel Andujar of the Dominican Republic and Gleyber Torres of Venezuela, two prospects with a chance to earn starting roles in the New York Yankees infield, practiced together this week in Tampa, the Bronx Bombers’ preseason home.
Andujar debuted last year and played five games as a third baseman and DH, going 4-for-7 with two doubles and four RBIs. Torres, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery on his non-throwing elbow, is considered the Yankees’ top prospect and a favorite to claim the second base job.
However, neither will be able to slack off this spring. The Yankees increased competition in camp by acquiring infielder Brandon Drury in a three-team trade this week.
Featured Image: Jean Fruth / La Vida Baseball