On Sunday, Hurricane Fiona made landfall in Puerto Rico, bringing with it massive flooding and winds that P.R. Governor Pedro Pierluisi described as “unprecedented.”
Puerto Rico native Javier Báez is doing his part to help his home country through this unprecedented time, as the Tigers' shortstop posted on Instagram prior to Monday's 11-0 win that he’s offering free meals to anyone in Puerto Rico who was impacted by the hurricane.
"All those families who are in need of a hot meal can stop by @taquizapr in Toa Baja and we will serve it to you for FREE!!,” Báez posted in an Instagram story on Monday. "If your community is affected and you're in need of a hot meal, you can call 787-665-2323 (Joshua) or stop by @taquizapr and we will make all the arrangements. Blessings to all of you!"
While no deaths have been reported because of the hurricane, millions of Puerto Ricans are without power due to the wind and rain. Up to 22 inches of rain have already fallen in some areas of Puerto Rico, with the potential of another four to eight inches of rain looming. The island is also still recovering from Hurricane Maria in 2017, which destroyed the island’s power grid and killed nearly 3,000 people.
Báez was born in Bayamon, P. R., before moving to Florida in 2005. Báez plays for the Puerto Rican national team, where he was part of a club that won a silver medal in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Báez has already committed to play for the Puerto Rican team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.