Alcantara, Segura take field with kids at Caravan stop
Christina De Nicola
@cdenicola13MIAMI -- "Is that the real-life Sandy?"
Of the 100 children from the city of Doral attending Field Day presented by Accident Medical Group, one boy in particular couldn't believe he was sharing the field with Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara on Tuesday night at Doral Meadow Park.
Alcantara, the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner, and Jean Segura, a two-time All-Star, participated in the Marlins FanFest Caravan event, which features members of the organization visiting the community leading up to Saturday's Fanfest at loanDepot park.
When Alcantara, Segura and Billy the Marlin weren't being swarmed for autographs, they spent more than an hour with the kids at hitting, fielding, pitching and running stations.
"It's always going to be fun coming here, hanging out with the kids," Alcantara said. "It's something that's going to be always special for me, just come to the park, have fun with the kids, playing a little catch with them, show them how to pitch, show them how to hit and all that stuff. I'm so happy to be here today."
Segura brought his oldest son, Juan Diego, so the 8-year-old could see his dad at an activity benefiting the community. The 11-year MLB veteran hopes to serve as a role model to youth.
After signing with the Marlins last month, Segura wants to make an impact both on and off the field in Miami. Not only did Segura provide hitting instruction, but he also did ladder drills alongside the kids.
"I never got the opportunity, [where] Major Leaguers go there and teach us how to hit, how to throw," said Segura, who was born in San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic. "Right now, those kids, they are privileged to have someone to play in the Majors for so many years come here and spend time with them and teach them how to do the swing correctly and give you some support. I feel jealous, because I never had that type of experience. But at the end of the day, it's what we can do for human beings."
Alcantara spent time catching throws from kids fielding grounders, then showing them how to hold their glove to the side like he does. At a hitting station, Alcantara placed balls on the tee and reminded the children to step back so as not to get hit.
Hours earlier, Alcantara had gotten his work in, throwing his third live batting practice before Spring Training. A couple of the hitters he faced were familiar ones: former Marlins Adeiny Hechavarria and Brian Anderson. Alcantara plans on heading to Jupiter, Fla., on Saturday night after FanFest so he can throw a bullpen session -- his seventh -- ahead of Monday's report date.
"I can't wait to be out there," Alcantara said. "I'm that guy who always likes to be early. I'm going to go there on Saturday night, because I've got to throw a bullpen on Sunday. I can't wait to get together with my teammates."