MLB Security's LeRoy Hendricks has a generous holiday tradition: Being Santa Claus
MLB Security staffer's holiday tradition: Being Santa
Every year, MLB Security staffer LeRoy Hendricks dons a large red suit, a white beard and a few pillows and transforms himself into Santa Claus for MLB's annual Winter Wishes event.
Joined by 50 kids from a local chapter of the Boys and Girls Club, Hendricks and several MLB staff members volunteer their time to fulfill wishes penned by the children in letters to St. Nick -- gifts like photos with the Commissioner's Trophy, dancing with Mr. Met and an awful lot of MLB gear.
At the center of it all is Hendricks, year in and year out. Why is he so committed to the tradition?
"When I was first was asked to do it, I didn't understand what it was about," Hendricks said as he donned the gear. "So I decided, 'Yeah, I'll do it.' For the first couple of years, I did it, it was nice.
"But about six or seven years ago, I was giving out gifts to one of the kids, and while he was sitting on my lap, he said, 'Can I ask you a question?' I said, 'Yes, you can, what's the matter?' He said, 'Nothing's the matter, it's just that I've never seen a black Santa Claus before.'
"He was a little black kid. So I said that from now on, I'm going to do this, just to help their vision, so to speak -- that it doesn't have to be white, black, Spanish or whatever. It's Santa Claus."
"But about six or seven years ago, I was giving out gifts to one of the kids, and while he was sitting on my lap, he said, 'Can I ask you a question?' I said, 'Yes, you can, what's the matter?' He said, 'Nothing's the matter, it's just that I've never seen a black Santa Claus before.'
"He was a little black kid. So I said that from now on, I'm going to do this, just to help their vision, so to speak -- that it doesn't have to be white, black, Spanish or whatever. It's Santa Claus."
You can watch highlights from the event in the video up top (and in this photo gallery), including Hendricks getting into costume -- pillows and all.