CLEVELAND — All eyes were on the Cleveland Guardians as they began their playoff run on Saturday. The excitement was felt throughout the city. The community is emphasizing their gratitude for the significant impact José Ramírez has made off the field. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Guardians beat the Detroit Tigers in game one of the American league division series 7-0
  • José Ramírez helping kids follow their dreams by donating baseball equipment

  • PIFBS partnered up with José Ramírez and Cleveland Guardians to help kids play baseball

The Guardians beat the Detroit Tigers in game one of the American league division series 7-0. Lane Thomas giving his team an early head start when he hit a three-run homer in a five-run outburst before Detroit got an out.  

While the game will always come and go, it’s the lives that have been affected by players like José Ramírez that will last forever. Ramírez has been the beacon of hope for many kids back in his home country, the Dominican Republic, but also has given back to kids in Ohio.

Meredith Kim said she knows firsthand how much Ramírez loves giving back. She is the CEO of Pitch In For Baseball and Softball (PIFBS). It’s a nonprofit organization Ramírez, and the Guardians partnered with, both with the same mission of making sure kids have access to baseball gear and equipment to chase their dreams.

“He wanted to hand out all of the equipment personally. He brought all of his friends that were in the DR at the time over to help with the clinic,” she said.

PFIBS donated $21,000 worth of baseball gear for about 200 kids in Ramírez’s hometown in the Dominican Republic. Ramírez showed up and handed out the equipment himself. He’s also made it a point to help kids out in Cleveland.

Specifically, the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities program, a $2.7 million baseball field project being funded by Ramirez. The field is meant to encourage young adults with diverse backgrounds to play the game, maybe one day giving them the opportunity to become the next Ramirez.

Megan Ganzer is the manager of player engagement and said Ramírez is one of a kind. 

“Some of these kids don’t have someone who shows up regularly and they rely on him to be that person in their life, it’s been really rewarding to witness his interactions and see how much of an impact he has on these kids every day,” she said.