Berríos giving back to youth one dream at a time

CHICAGO -- There’s always been such a sense of passion in José Berríos' voice when he talks about the game of baseball.

He doesn’t just love it, he romanticizes it. He’s grateful for it.

Twice now, Berríos has found a second home away from Puerto Rico, first in Minneapolis with the Twins and now in Toronto with the Blue Jays. Each time, Berríos has wanted to be part of the baseball community in his city, not just sit atop it, which has led him to launch “El Dream," his new charitable initiative to help kids develop life skills through baseball in Canada and Puerto Rico.

“I’ve been focused on helping young kids and families, and now, thank god, I am blessed to be able to give more and more every year,” Berríos said. “I always have it in my mind that I am blessed, so we can bless more people. Now, we have a chance to give back and bless people here in Canada, in Toronto. This city and this country, my family and I call it our second home.”

This work builds on what Berríos has already done through his La Makina Foundation in Puerto Rico, which has helped open up access to baseball and the opportunities within the game in his home country.

Now, Berríos’ El Dream initiative will work alongside Jays Care Foundation, with him now the ambassador for three of Jays Care’s core programs: Girls At Bat, Challenger Baseball and Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI). Berríos will be hosting events in Toronto and donating $500 (USD) for every strikeout he records during the 2024 regular season, rounding up to $100,000 (USD).

During MLB’s Players’ Weekend, Saturday’s focus is on the causes, charities and community work important to players, like Berríos. Friday’s games focused on the players’ personalities, while Sunday’s games to wrap the weekend will turn the spotlight to the people that helped these players on their roads to the big leagues.

Part of Berríos’ decision to get involved with baseball at the youth level involved his own experiences growing up in Puerto Rico.

“It was not easy, but it was good and I was happy, because my dad played baseball and my brother played baseball,” Berríos said. “Growing up, I was always around the baseball field. My friends had fun playing baseball, but we also had fun after the games and spent time together in my home and their homes. It was not easy, but it was happy and full of good moments. I remember those days when I was young, when I would play for fun. I still play for fun, but now there’s more work. There’s a difference. Those were great days, back then.”

Berríos also has three young children who have come to love the game themselves.

“They started to fall really in love and get crazy about the game,” Berríos said. “Here, the house, the hotel room, everywhere.”

After a home game at Rogers Centre, children of the Blue Jays’ players often break into their own game of baseball, kickball or some blur between the two. Berríos’ kids are often right in the middle of it, and while they like to swing the bat, they still like to pitch, just like their dad.

Berríos has already been active at events throughout Toronto in his time with the Blue Jays, eager to represent the organization and connect with young kids who either already love the game or are just being introduced to it.

“It’s great. It’s very special for me,” Berríos said. “I remember when I was that age and had the opportunity to play this beautiful game. Now, I want to give the opportunity to those kids. That gives me a chance to meet and know more and more people here in Canada. I know that Canada is a huge country, but I hope we can get to the most people we can.”

Throughout Players’ Weekend, you’ll see Berríos and many other players featured on broadcasts, at MLB.com and on MLB Network for who they are and what they do off the field. Come game time, you’ll also see players with hats, bats and cleats that pay homage to their homes, alma maters, nicknames, families and foundations.

Players will wear New Era caps featuring their uniform numbers on the side panel with a new design. Following the weekend’s games, some items will be chosen for auction and benefit charities, like El Dream, chosen by the players.