Unity in the Community

The Reds joined Major League Baseball’s annual celebration of Jackie Robinson Day with activities at the ballpark and the P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy.

On April 15, Reds pitcher Hunter Greene held a special meet & greet with the Wilberforce University baseball team to discuss the legacy and impact of Robinson and gifted the players new cleats. During the game, players, managers and coaches wore No. 42 jerseys to honor Robinson’s historic debut along with a ‘42’ patch on the caps. In addition, the Reds honored the baseball legend with pregame ceremonies and fans in attendance received a commemorative #42 adhesive patch, courtesy of Network for Hope.

A few days earlier, the Reds Youth Academy hosted its fourth annual Joe Morgan HBCU Classic along with six baseball and softball games from the Skyline Chili Reds Futures High School Showcase presented by PNC. The HBCU players wore throwback Negro Leagues jerseys and the high school players were provided a No. 42 tech T-shirt and black Nike cap.

On March 31, Reds players Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft, along with Rangers players Jake Burger and Corey Seager, stopped by GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center. The visit propels the notion that Baseball Welcomes All, which is the initiative of focus for the Reds Country Cares program in the month of April.

The Reds and Rangers were proud to come together to celebrate connection, joy and belonging. Big Leagues, Big Impact.

The visit was made possible by The Burger Family Foundation.

One day after taking the mound at Great American Ball Park for 2025 Opening Day, Reds pitcher Hunter Greene provided baseball gear for over 400 youth baseball and softball players.

On March 28, Greene welcomed local kids ages 8-17 to Madisonville Recreation Center where the young ballplayers were given an assortment of equipment ranging from baseball cleats and fielding gloves to bats, bags and more. There was a DJ onsite along with free snacks, entertainment and a Graeter’s Ice Cream truck for the three-hour event. The Reds All-Star partnered with Full Circle Consulting System, Inc., JustBats and local nonprofit Activities Beyond the Classroom to make the equipment drive possible.

On March 26, Elly De La Cruz visited Bea Taylor Market at Freestore Foodbank to pitch in for water sustainability. The Reds’ All-Star shortstop helped volunteers from the Holy Cross High School baseball team stock bottles of water at the local nonprofit while also taking time to sign autographs, pose for photos and speak with the media.