2024 Winter Meetings Charity Auction to support renovations for Willie Mays Park in Fairfield, Alabama

By | December 9, 2024

DALLAS, TX – For the 11th overall year, Major League Baseball and its Clubs have organized a charity auction during Baseball’s Annual Winter Meetings to benefit a special cause. As a continuation of the memorable effort of June’s MLB at Rickwood Field experience, the 2024 Winter Meetings Charity Auction will honor the legacy of the great Willie Mays. Proceeds from the auction will benefit Willie Mays Park in Willie’s hometown of Fairfield, Alabama, a field that has served generations of aspiring youth baseball players in the area. Unfortunately, the field has fallen into some disrepair and is unusable for most competitive levels of the game.

The auction, which is now LIVE at MLB.com/wintermeetingsauction until Thursday, December 12th at 10:00 p.m. (ET), provides a diverse offering of memorable baseball experiences for everyone, including special interactions with Major League stars (e.g., Mike Trout), VIP experiences at MLB & MiLB Ballparks, as well as incredible on-field opportunities (e.g., first pitches), treasured items and more.

“It means so much to have the opportunity to continue serving the community that gave baseball and the world the great Willie Mays,” said April Brown, SVP of Social Responsibility and Diversity, Major League Baseball. “As a signature initiative of MLB Together, this charity auction is truly unique in that it gives our fans the opportunity to have a hand in celebrating Willie’s legacy and have an impact on the lives of children. We cannot thank the Clubs across our sport for their generosity and creativity in providing amazing auction items and experiences for our fans.”

City of Fairfield Councilman, District 4, Cedric Norman said: “The City of Fairfield, Alabama, is honored to partner with Major League Baseball on the remarkable initiative to honor the legacy of Fairfield’s beloved son, Willie Mays, by restoring the park that carries his name. Willie Mays is not only a baseball legend but also a symbol of hope and inspiration for generations in our city. The generosity and efforts of Major League Baseball, its Clubs, and community partners in hosting this charity auction demonstrate a strong commitment to uplifting communities through the spirit of sport. The planned renovations will revitalize the community and provide our young athletes the opportunity to dream big and follow in Willie’s footsteps.”

All items and experiences have been generously donated by all 30 MLB Clubs, more than 40 Minor League Clubs, the Office of the Commissioner, MLB Network, and the Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum in Cooperstown, NY. Following are some of the many special experiences and items, on which fans may now bid (NOTE: this is not the full list, which can be found here):

ABOUT THE WINTER MEETINGS CHARITY AUCTION

Since its inception in 2012, the Winter Meetings Charity Auction has raised more than $2.3 million toward a variety of causes, including lung cancer research in honor and memory of Orioles Public Relations Great Monica Barlow, a youth baseball and softball field in memory of Mets Public Relations Great Shannon Forde, a scholarship fund in memory of the late, beloved baseball executive Katy Feeney, for the Jackie Robinson Foundation and Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and for the five organizations leading the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Most recently, donations were given in support of the establishment of a new Boys & Girls Club in Uvalde, TX, a much-needed resource for Uvalde youth and their families following the aftermath of the Robb Elementary shooting in 2022 and Stand Up To Cancer in 2023.

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