MINNEAPOLIS -- Adam Jones has always had fond memories of the Boys & Girls Club of America. So it was only natural that Jones, who has been an integral part in building up the Boys & Girls Club in Baltimore, would jump at the chance to be involved in Major League Baseball's national public-service announcement campaign.
The PSA was unveiled on Wednesday morning after being filmed in Baltimore at Brooklyn O'Malley Boys & Girls Club. Jones, an Encanto Boys & Girls Club alumnus in his hometown of San Diego, credits the organization for helping prepare him for success.
""The fact that I grew up there, my brothers, my cousins. And over the last nine years, I've been able to give back to the Boys & Girls Club of Baltimore. I think it's a pretty good partnership," said Jones, who regularly volunteers his time, and in conjunction with the Orioles Charitable Foundation donated $75,000 to Webster Boys & Girls Club in 2015. "I think a relationship that started when I was 4 or 5 has continued into my 30s."
Named the prestigious Marvin Miller Man of the Year in 2015, Jones was also named by the MLB Players Alumni Association as the 2015 Brooks Robinson Community Service Award recipient. He was given the Governor's Service Award from Gov. Larry Hogan in recognition of his efforts to improve lives in Maryland.
"I think the kids understand it's me in the flesh rather than me as a checkbook," said Jones, who regularly spends time at the local Boys & Girls Clubs. "When I talk to you, I'm one of your friends. Don't act like or put me on any sort of pedestal."
Each year, Major League Baseball and Boys & Girls Clubs of America work together to create unique opportunities for the 4,200 Boys & Girls Clubs serving some four million youth in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and on U.S. military bases around the world.
The Play Ball initiative teaches children to increase their overall fitness through physical activity and nutritional education while learning the fundamental skills of baseball and softball through fun and enriching baseball-related activities.