J-Rod gifts toys, baseball items, ambulance(!) to hometown

Reigning American League Rookie of the Year Julio Rodríguez started 2023 with a heartfelt gesture towards his hometown of Loma de Cabrera within the Dominican Republic.

On Friday, Rodríguez donated an ambulance on the metropolis’s civil protection headquarters, in response to z101 Digital’s Héctor Gómez. Prior to the donation, the town didn’t have an ambulance for emergencies. Rodríguez additionally gifted toys and baseball gear to native youngsters.

The 22-year-old outfielder turned the quickest participant in AL/NL historical past to achieve 25 dwelling runs and 25 steals earlier than signing an enormous contract extension with the Mariners final 12 months, one that would attain $470 million by way of 2039. He additionally wowed the baseball world throughout final summer time’s Home Run Derby at Dodger Stadium and helped lead Seattle to its first postseason look in 21 years.

Wearing a pink Mariners cap and donning a neon orange Loma de Cabrera Civil Defense vest along with his identify underneath the division’s patch, Rodríguez accepted an award from native leaders and addressed the group available for the ceremony.

Following an incredible first 12 months within the Majors, J-Rod returned to his hometown and gave again to his neighborhood in a giant method, offering a much-needed emergency medical car whereas additionally bringing smiles to the faces of native youngsters along with his beneficiant donations of toys and gear that may assist them fulfill their very own baseball goals.