Yadier Molina is putting together an All-Star lineup of Major League friends to provide hurricane relief aid to his native Puerto Rico.
The Cardinals catcher, along with a star-studded cast of guests, will host the second edition of the Yadier Molina Home Run Derby & Celebrity Softball Game on Saturday at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan. Molina, MLB's longest-tenured Puerto Rican player, also delivered supplies to his hometown in October, with the country still recovering from the damage of Hurricane Maria.
"One of my biggest priorities is to continue to raise money to help Hurricane Maria victims in Puerto Rico, and Foundation 4 was mainly created to help our people, especially during times of need," said Molina. "I want to thank my friends who have accepted to donate their time and make the necessary arrangements in their busy schedules to participate in this event."
Those friends include a cast of current and former Major League players, many of whom starred for Team Puerto Rico in ths year's World Baseball Classic: Carlos Beltran, Francisco Lindor, Javier Baez, Eddie Rosario, Kennys Vargas, Carlos Baerga, Ricky Bones, Octavio Dotel, Joe Jimenez, Jose De Leon, Jose Berrios, Joel Pineiro, Alex Cora, Edwin Diaz, Roberto Perez, Rafael Furcal and Alex Claudio will all participate. Non-baseball local celebrities are also slated to help, including 2001 Miss Universe Denise Quinones.
Admission is free and all proceeds will benefit Foundation 4, a nonprofit organization founded by Molina and his wife, Wanda Torres, in 2010.
"I wanted to bring some laughter and joy during this holiday season to the people of Puerto Rico, especially when they have had to face some of the toughest times in their lives due to the aftermath of Hurricane Maria," Molina said.