Three small business owners will enjoy the opportunity of a lifetime tonight, having received the Priceless chance to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at Game 3 of the World Series thanks to the latest partnership between MLB and Mastercard.

“Mastercard has been an incredible partner to Major League Baseball for more than two decades and we take a lot of pride in this great relationship that we’ve forged together,” said Noah Garden, MLB Chief Revenue Officer.

Ken and Jeannette Katz, the owners of La Bodega in Atlanta, Ga., Jae’da Turner, the owner of Black Owned Bos. in Boston, Mass., and Wes Avila, the owner of Angry Egret Dinette in Los Angeles, Calif., will be taking a trip to the Fall Classic in honor of small businesses across America who have adapted and overcome the challenges of the pandemic.

“While small businesses had to contend with extreme challenges throughout the pandemic, they demonstrated exceptional resilience and determination in the process,” said Cheryl Guerin, EVP Marketing and Communications in North America for Mastercard.

Each small business owner was selected as their city’s winner in the Mastercard Home Team Advantage Small Business Contest, which was launched during this year’s All-Star Game to help businesses grow and thrive. Each winner received a grand prize of $10,000, one-on-one mentorship from Mastercard small business experts and a Mastercard Digital Doors™ toolkit, plus other prizes such as hosting opportunities and customized stadium signage in each business’s local market thanks to the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Check out more details on the winners below:

Atlanta

Braves legend Brian Jordan joined representatives from Mastercard and the Atlanta Braves to announce the Atlanta winner of the Home Team Advantage Small Business Contest; Ken and Jeannette Katz, the owners of La Bodega.

The market and pupuseria believes that healthy and locally-sourced groceries should be accessible in every neighborhood across the city. By partnering with local sustainable farmers and up-and-coming chefs, La Bodega provides community-supported farm-to-table seasonal ingredients and Latin American-inspired meals to go.

Boston

Hall of Famer and Red Sox alum Jim Rice joined representatives from Mastercard and the Boston Red Sox to announce the Boston winner of the Home Team Advantage Small Business Contest; Jae’da Turner, the owner of Black Owned Bos.

The company officially launched in March 2019 as a platform and resource to highlight and lift Black-owned businesses, places, spaces and the people moving the culture forward in the Greater Boston Area. As a business services and consulting agency, Black Owned Bos. creates spaces to amplify, incubate and support other businesses.

Los Angeles

MLB All-Stars and Dodger alums Shawn Green and Nomar Garciaparra joined representatives from Mastercard and the LA Dodgers to announce the Los Angeles winner of the Home Team Advantage Small Business Contest, Wes Avila, the owner of Angry Egret Dinette.

Known as the “last restaurant before Dodger Stadium,” Angry Egret opened in 2020 during the height of the pandemic with two very important goals in mind: generate income for staff and serve as a safe space for community members to come together and enjoy good food and good company. The restaurant has become a pillar within LA’s Chinatown community, breathing new life into one of the oldest neighborhoods in Los Angeles.