Awards

Brooks Lee is a rising star in the Minnesota Twins organization, showcasing exceptional skills as a switch-hitting infielder with smooth defensive instincts and a lethal bat. Whether turning double plays at short or spraying line drives to all fields, Lee’s relentless drive set the tone for the team. Since being drafted out of Cal Poly, his mix of advanced approach and leadership has turned heads, marking him as a cornerstone in the Twins’ long-term plans.

Off the diamond, Lee has made just as big an impact in the community. He’s quick to jump into youth baseball clinics, inspiring the next generation with both skill-building and life lessons learned from the game. Brooks returned to Minnesota in the off-season to participate in Holiday Week of Giving including a visit to Gillette Children’s Hospital. This visit inspired him to initiate our first Reverse Signing Day, which allowed our players to get autographs from ten Gillette kids. As a participant in the Twins Winter Caravan, he traveled across Twins Territory to connect with fans, visit hospitals, and energize local baseball programs. His approachable attitude and hands-on involvement have made him a fan favorite not just for what he does on the field, but for the difference he’s making beyond it. During each home game, he was a regular visitor to our Dugout Buddies and was a huge support to our in-kind donation program.

Brooks’s hands-on approach has made him a fan favorite and a leader in the Twins’ mission to uplift the region.

On the field, Nelson Cruz is renowned as one of baseball’s premier power hitters, bringing veteran leadership and a fearsome bat to every lineup he’s joined, including an unforgettable run with the Minnesota Twins. As a designated hitter, Cruz became the heart of the offense, launching towering home runs as part of the Bomba Squad and delivering clutch performances that energized the team and fans alike. His consistent production and mentorship of younger players made him an anchor in the clubhouse and a respected competitor across the league.

Beyond his baseball feats, Cruz is celebrated for his extraordinary commitment to community service, both in Minnesota and in his native Dominican Republic. He spearheaded initiatives like funding a police station, medical clinic, and fire truck for his hometown, demonstrating game-changing generosity off the field. While with the Twins, Cruz embraced the local community, engaging in nonprofit partnerships, quietly initiating food drives, and actively supporting youth programs.

In Twins Territory, Cruz has spent hours signing autographs at TwinsFest, helping to raise essential funds for the Twins Community Fund. He recently returned to Minnesota to participate in Opening Day 2025. While here, he connected with multiple nonprofit organizations including those serve the local Dominican community.

Nelson wants to break the cycle of poverty in communities of need. “I live it, I see it every day," he says. Understanding that most are inheritors of poverty, not its creators, Cruz commissioned studies to understand what resources are needed most in his hometown. This summer, Cruz’s Boomstick23 Foundation began construction on an education and technical center, a place to host training for technical skills and how to better use farmland to produce crops. The training will provide community members with skills and a path toward employment and income stability.

Nelson is particularly focused on kids in the DR who leave school to play baseball. If the dream of the major leagues proves to be out of reach, they find themselves without a diploma or skills beyond baseball. Cruz will equip the center with computers to help these young men complete their high school education online and provide an opportunity to go to college.

As the recipient of the 2020 Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award, Cruz has taken his educational message to many MLB cities where he has played, often bringing young teammates along. Using the game of baseball as the backdrop, Cruz dedicates time during each visit with young athletes to instill the message that staying in school and working hard on their education will open more doors than any baseball skills they learn.