Alonso Not Forgetting Where He Comes From

San Diego Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso-Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Players throughout the big leagues are heavily involved in charities, performing work for community organizations, helping their team’s foundations, or starting foundations of their own. Some players feel obligated because of their roles as professional baseball players. Others, such as San Diego Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso, performs his work to give back to an organization that has done so much to inspire him throughout his life.

On June 5th, Alonso will host the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego Celebrity Golf Classic. The event will be hosted at the Barona Creek Golf Club, and is just the latest in several events that Alonso has participated in directly to help raise money. When Alonso was 10, he and his family came to the United States from Cuba, and settled in Miami, FL. It was here, that Alonso found the Boys and Girls Club, and began planting the seeds of the dream that would become a major league career. It was also at the club that he remembers visits from such prominent major leaguers as New York Yankees’ Captain Derek Jeter and Miami-based third baseman Alex Rodriguez. Alonso told Tod Leonard of the UT-San Diego:

"It definitely brought back memories to my days growing up, and it gave me an understanding of what it takes not only to be a role model but to really understand that you can do a lot and give a lot.”"

(h/t Tod Leonard, UT-San Diego)

Almost two decades later, Alonso cherishes the valuable life lessons that he learned at the club, and his desire is to pay it forward to the next generation of young boys and girls who are looking for positive role models. Proceeds from this first event will go to the Ramona branch, located just a few short miles from the Barona Creek Golf Club. Those interested in participated in the event can go to golfwithyonderalonso.com, or call (858) 866-0591, ext. 208.