Major League Baseball Players Association

Yesterday, Padres catcher Kyle Higashioka was presented a replica of the Congressional Gold Medal at the National Museum of the US Army in honor of his grandfather, G. Shigeru Higashioka, who served in the 100th Infantry Battalion of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II. A special thank you to retired General Eric Shinseki, Chair of The Army Historical Foundation, for presiding over the ceremony, and to the National Veterans Network for the partnership in making this special day happen for Kyle and his family.

The 2024 MLB Players STEM League Global Championship was held in Arlington during All-Star Week, where students from around the world competed for the title of Champions! The Players Trust, in partnership with Learn Fresh, developed the baseball-inspired program for middle-school age youth. This combination board game and curriculum brings to life the energy of the sport while cultivating students’ math and social-emotional skills. All participating students attended the Home Run Derby, and the winning team had the opportunity to meet the All-Stars while watching batting practice from the field! The Players Trust also gave a $25,000 grant to Metro Sports Fieldhouse, a Texas based non-profit that utilizes sport as a vehicle to help youth develop life skills. Thank you again to Learn Fresh, Metro Sports Fieldhouse and all attendees of the annual STEM League Global Championship! To learn more about how your youth development program can get involved with MLB Players STEM League, visit https://lnkd.in/eQJx8hAF

Happy 102nd birthday to Rachel Robinson, whose unwavering dedication as a nurse, professor, and founder of the Jackie Robinson Foundation has enriched countless lives and inspired positive change for generations. Your tireless efforts and shining example continue to motivate us all. Thank you for your remarkable contributions.

Legends in the Lone Star. Each All-Star Week, we team up with the MLBPAA so that generations of Players can reconnect during what is always an incredibly special event. Another thank you to the MLBPAA for joining us at Players House in Arlington!

Yesterday, students from around the world competed in the MLB Players STEM League Global Championship! The baseball-inspired board game for middle-school age youth, in partnership with the Players Trust and Learn Fresh, cultivates students’ math and social-emotional skills. All participants received a medal, as well as tickets to watch today's #HomeRunDerby. The winning team and runner-ups earned the opportunity to be on the field during batting practice ahead of tonight's event to meet the 2024 All-Stars! The Players Trust also donated a $25,000 grant to Metro Sports Fieldhouse, a Texas based non-profit utilizing sports as a vehicle to help youth develop life skills.The MLBPA and Players Trust are proud to support youth development initiatives and we look forward to hosting all of the students at the Home Run Derby!

Today, students from around the world will compete in the MLB Players STEM League Global Championship — a partnership between the Players Trust and Learn Fresh. How did they find out they were chosen to compete in Arlington? By none other than an invitation from 2023 Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll!

The second annual HBCU Swingman Classic kicked off All-Star Week in style! 50 HBCU Players were chosen to participate by a committee that included MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation Ambassador and Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., alongside representatives from MLB and MLBPA, as well as scouts. The Swingman Classic aims to highlight the history and legacy of HBCU baseball programs while providing Players the opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage.

The Players Trust is pleased to welcome Joe Kalar as the new Senior Manager of Development! Joe brings extensive expertise in sports philanthropy, having made considerable contributions throughout his career with esteemed sports organizations such as RISE, Detroit Red Wings, New York Yankees, New Jersey Devils, Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Minnesota Wild. Joe holds a Master of Sports Business Leadership from Seattle University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of North Dakota.

The MLBPA extends a warm welcome to Alex Goodman, who is joining the organization as Director of Baseball Cards, Memorabilia, and Equipment!   Alex worked previously for Collectors, where he was involved in strategic initiatives and sports card grading, authentication, negotiating partnership agreements, executing acquisitions, and launching new services and marketplaces. He worked as a management consultant at Fractor and has experience in investment banking, specifically in mergers and acquisitions, at Houlihan Lokey. Alex holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Duke University.

The MLBPA is proud to welcome longtime major league pitcher and player advocate Andrew Miller in the role of Special Assistant, Strategic Initiatives! Andrew spent 16 seasons as a starter and reliever with the Tigers, Marlins, Red Sox, Orioles, Yankees, Indians and Cardinals. He was a two-time All-Star, Mariano Rivera Award winner and ALCS MVP, as well as a member of Cleveland’s 2016 American League pennant club and Team USA’s 2017 World Baseball Classic championship squad. As a player, Miller held leadership roles with the MLBPA for more than a decade as an Elected Player Rep, Executive Subcommittee member, and Players Trust trustee. His voice and leadership were critical as players stood together through COVID and the 2021-2022 owner lockout. “Throughout his playing career, Andrew Miller was respected across the game for his commitment, his leadership and his ability to connect with his peers regardless of age, service time or position,” said MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark. “We expect his experience and range of skills to translate well to this new role as he brings his own unique perspective to the Players Association.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/ez9DRh3R