NewsRockies' season of service ongoing
Players add to efforts with personal charity projects
By Thomas Harding / MLB.com
11/25/09 4:00 PM EST
DENVER -- The Rockies are giving more in a year when many people have much less.
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Players are planning a shopping excursion for children and families involved in the Make-A-Wish Foundation next month. Rockies players also are scheduling a visit to the Ronald McDonald House. All employees of the Rockies, on the field and off, will participate in donations for gift cards for local food banks and food charities.
It's all a continuation of a year in which the team and its players, mostly through the Colorado Rockies Charity Fund, haven't used a weak economy as a reason to curtail community efforts.
"The gift of giving time has not dwindled in these tough economic times," said Jim Kellogg, the Rockies vice president/community and retail operations. "There are a lot of people doing things and donating time more than money."
The Colorado Rockies Charity Fund gave $1.227 million in grants in 2009, but thanks to the efforts -- especially of the players -- it doesn't represent what the Rockies meant to the community.
One example is Rockies veteran pitcher Aaron Cook, the team's nominee for Major League Baseball's annual Roberto Clemente Award.
A tornado in May 2008 nearly destroyed a community baseball complex in Windsor, Colo. But Cook's efforts helped the community rebuild, and Cook participated in the dedication of Aaron Cook Field at the rebuilt facility on May 29.
Catcher Yorvit Torrealba's involvement in the Denver Police Athletic League was personal.
During the summer, Torrealba's son, Yorvit Eduardo Torrealba, was kidnapped along with two family members in Venezuela. The efforts of law enforcement figures in his home country in rescuing everyone safely stuck with him, and gave him an appreciation for police everywhere.
On Sept. 30, Torrealba made a donation for the league to go toward baseball programming and scholarships. In addition, the PAL announced that it would erect a stone monument featuring Torrealba, his donation and his reasons for making it.
It didn't take long for center fielder Dexter Fowler, a rookie in 2009, to join the giving spirit of the Rockies. Fowler gave baseball knowledge and effort to members of local Boys and Girls Clubs, and was a spokesman for the Rocky Mountain Home Raffle, which benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs. A fellow newcomer, second baseman Eric Young Jr., was visiting the sick and rounding up players to help with community action.
Left-handed pitcher Jeff Francis missed the season because of shoulder surgery. However, Francis donated much of his extra time to the club's charity efforts.
"Jeff came to me after he had surgery and said, 'Use me how you want to use me in the community,'" Kellogg recalled.
Francis has been instrumental in the Rockies' environmental awareness efforts. He and his wife, Allison, purchased recycling bins for Coors Field. This year, they participated in planting trees as part of the Rockies' Green Week efforts. Francis also spoke with students during a weather and science program at Coors Field. It was a busy and versatile year for Francis.
Right-handed reliever Taylor Buchholz, who missed the season because of an elbow injury that required surgery, was instrumental in putting together a fantasy camp for disabled children. Buchholz, manager Jim Tracy, hitting coach Don Baylor and special front office assistant Vinny Castilla put the youngsters through various fundamental workouts in July.
Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was a vocal leader on the field, but a quiet leader off of it. Tulowitzki befriended families that had been touched by tragedies and made a donation to the Children's Miracle Network, which benefits Children's Hospital.
It's all part of a season of service that never ends.
Thomas Harding is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
