Greene steps up for young athletes affected by LA fires

CINCINNATI -- The scope of the wildfires across Greater Los Angeles and Southern California is so large, as lives have been lost and thousands of homes along with entire neighborhoods, schools and more have been engulfed in flames.

Even small acts of giving help, however, and Reds pitcher Hunter Greene made his effort to assist this week. On X, Greene posted an offer of free baseball cleats to young players affected by the fires.

"I've got FREE baseball cleats (value $100 a pair, new metal spikes only, sizes 9.5-15) for all the travel ball, high school and college baseball players affected by the Palisades, Malibu and Altadena fires," Greene wrote.

Greene noted that proof of residence was required, and it's while supplies last. Those interested were instructed to reach out to the pitcher's personal community service manager via direct message on X. Once connected, the cleats must be picked up at a warehouse in Santa Clarita, Calif.

Firefighters are still working to contain the wildfires in the region, which broke out last Tuesday and could go down as one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history, according to The Associated Press.

A Los Angeles native, Greene grew up in Southern California and was selected No. 2 overall out of Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif., in the 2017 Draft.

Greene, 25, has frequently been involved in community service initiatives, from being a mentor to Black and Latino youth players in the annual Dream Series, to speaking to schools on Jackie Robinson Day and providing an endowment to his high school. He was the Reds' nominee for the 2023 Roberto Clemente Award.